Infertility (or in Filipino terms ‘baog’) is the inability to conceive a child. There aren’t a lot of obvious signs or symptoms that show if someone is infertile or not. The most obvious sign is when a couple attempts to make a baby again and again – but fall short every time.
So what are the signs and symptoms of infertility? What are the causes of infertility? What should a person do if they suspect something is preventing conception? What can a person do if they’re experiencing infertility?
All of those questions will be answered in the following article.
As stated before, symptoms of infertility are not very obvious. Others may not know that they have been diagnosed infertile before. Around 90% of couples who engage in unprotected intercourse will achieve pregnancy within the first 12 months. The remaining 10% will have to seek medical assistance such as In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) in order to conceive.
Here a few signs to look for if you suspect you or your partner is infertile:
1. Irregular menstrual cycles
A normal menstrual cycle will last up to 28 days, give or take an extra seven days. Irregular menstrual bleeding is when a woman’s period occurs more frequently than every 21 days or lasts longer than 8 days. Irregular menstrual cycles could be responsible for infertility.
Here are the symptoms of irregular menstruation:
– Absent menstruation (amenorrhea)
– Short (less than 21 days)
– Long (over 35 days)
– Heavy or long menstruation
– Dysmenorrhea (painful menstruation)
– Short menstruation time
– Very pale menstruation
– Clotty or very dark purple/black menstruation-
– Mid-cycle bleeding
2. Hormonal Imbalance
A hormonal imbalance might be the cause of irregular menstrual cycles and other reproductive issues. Hormonal Imbalance may also cause a variety of other health related concerns. For example, low libido, heart palpitations, thinning hair, depression, etc. \
The increase of decrease of any of these hormones may unbalance your internal chemical makeup, leading to infertility:
– Progesterone
– Estrogen
– Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH)
– Luteinizing Hormone (LH)
– Androgens for example DHEA, Testosterone
– Thyroid hormones
– Prolactin
3. Age
Women over the age of 35 and above may experience a decrease in fertility. While the average 30-year-old woman has a 20% chance of getting pregnant during any one cycle, those over 40 have their chances decreased to only 5%. If you’re a lady over 35 years of age and have been trying for 6 months to get pregnant with no success, then perhaps it’s time to pay your doctor a visit.
Here are some fertility related issues you might wish to address.
– Uterine Fibroids
– Endometriosis
– PCOS
– Ovarian Cysts
– STD’s
– Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)
– Recurrent Miscarriages (more than 3)
– Adenomyosis
– Blocked Fallopian Tubes
– Signs of Infertility in Men
Many people tend to think that infertility is solely the female partner’s issue. That’s not true. In fact, both sexes have roughly the same chances of being infertile. It’s always advisable to have both partners checked out if you are trying to conceive.
It’s difficult to detect signs or symptoms of infertility in men. Doctors may need to monitor a man’s bodily functions in order to determine if there is a fertility issue. The first step in determining male infertility is the time tested sperm count test.
Doctors who perform a complete semen analysis might determine the following factors in male fertility:
Hormonal Imbalance
Like females, males can also experience certain hormonal imbalances. The number one hormonal imbalance with men are issues with testosterone and estrogen. Other health related problems, such as poor diet and poor lifestyle choices, are the most common reason for hormonal imbalance as well as low sperm count.
Common signs of hormonal imbalance in men are low libido, abnormal hair growth, and erectile dysfunction.
Erectile dysfunction is inability to maintain an erection during sexual arousal or activity. This is commonly found in men as they age – especially if the man is 40 years old and over. If the erection cannot be sustained then ejaculation may not happen. If you have a lasting erectile dysfunction, then it’s probably time to see a doctor.
The most common hormonal imbalance in men:
– Testosterone
– DHEA
– Prolactin
– Estrogen
Sperm Count, Health & Delivery Issues include:
– Erectile dysfunction (ED)
– Low sperm count (oligospermia)
– Abnormal sperm shape (teratozoospermia)
– Abnormal or poor sperm movement (asthenozoospermia)
– Vas Deferens blockage-varicoceles or STD damage
– Immobile sperm (necrozoospermia – when the sperm does not move at all: the sperm may be dead, partially alive or alive but does not move)
– Abnormal sperm production
– Genetic disorders
– Retrograde ejaculation
– Physical or structural abnormalities such as undescended testicle.
– Vasectomy reversal- Up to 70% of men with vasectomy develop antisperm antibodies.
Other Health Issues, Factors and Problems which may affect fertility in both Women and Men
– Obesity
– Diabetes
– Smoking
– Alcoholism
– Drug Addiction
– Thyroid issues
– Poor Adrenal Health
– Very low body weight
– Autoimmune disease
– Cancer (chemotherapy and radiation may cause Premature Ovarian Failure or Low Sperm count and health)
– Injury or trauma to reproductive organs, or one of the endocrine glands.
– Hypertension
– Heavy exposure to radiation or other environmental pollution
– Long-term use of medications
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