Symptoms Of Infertility
The main symptom of infertility is not getting pregnant. There may be no other obvious symptoms. Sometimes, a woman with infertility may have irregular or absent menstrual periods.
In some cases, a man with infertility may have some signs of hormonal problems, such as changes in hair growth or sexual function.
Most couples will eventually conceive, with or without treatment.
When to see a doctor
You probably don’t need to see a doctor about infertility unless you have been trying regularly to get pregnant for at least one year.
Women should talk with a doctor earlier, however, if they:
•Are age 35 or older and have been trying to conceive for six months or longer.
• Are over age 40.
• Have irregular or absent periods.
• Have very painful periods.
• Have known fertility problems.
• Have been diagnosed with endometriosis or pelvic inflammatory disease.
• Have had multiple miscarriages.
• Have undergone cancer treatment.
Men should talk to a doctor if they have:
• A low sperm count or other problems with sperm.
• A history of testicular, prostate or sexual problems.
• Undergone treatment for cancer.
• Small testicles or swelling in the scrotum.
• Others in your family with infertility problems.
Causes
All of the steps during ovulation and fertilization need to happen correctly to get pregnant.
Sometimes the issues that cause infertility in couples are present at birth, and sometimes they develop later in life.
Infertility causes can affect one or both partners. In general:
• In about one-third of cases, there is an issue with the man
• In about one-third of cases, there is an issue with the woman
• In the remaining cases, there are issues with both the man and the woman, or no cause can be found
Causes of male infertility
These may include:
• Abnormal sperm production or function due to undescended testicles, genetic defects, health problems such as diabetes, or infections such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, mumps, or HIV.
Enlarged veins in the testes (varicocele) can also affect the quality of sperm.
• Problems with the delivery of sperm due to sexual problems, such as premature ejaculation; certain genetic diseases, such as cystic fibrosis; structural problems, such as a blockage in the testicle; or damage or injury to the reproductive organs.
• Overexposure to certain environmental factors, such as pesticides and other chemicals, and radiation.
Cigarette smoking, alcohol, marijuana, anabolic steroids, and taking medications to treat bacterial infections, high blood pressure, and depression can also affect fertility.
Frequent exposure to heat, such as in saunas or hot tubs, can raise body temperature and may affect sperm production.
• Damage related to cancer and its treatment, including radiation or chemotherapy. Cancer treatment can impair sperm production, sometimes severely.
Causes of female infertility may include:
• Ovulation disorders, which affect the release of eggs from the ovaries.
These include hormonal disorders such as polycystic ovary syndrome.
Hyperprolactinemia is a condition in which you have too much prolactin, the hormone that stimulates breast milk production may also interfere with ovulation.
Either too much thyroid hormone (hyperthyroidism) or too little (hypothyroidism) can affect the menstrual cycle or cause infertility.
Other underlying causes may include too much exercise, eating disorders, or tumors.
• Uterine or cervical abnormalities, including abnormalities with the cervix, polyps in the uterus, or the shape of the uterus.
Noncancerous (benign) tumors in the uterine wall (uterine fibroids) may cause infertility by blocking the fallopian tubes or stopping a fertilized egg from implanting in the uterus.
• Fallopian tube damage or blockage, often caused by inflammation of the fallopian tube (salpingitis).
This can result from pelvic inflammatory disease, which is usually caused by a sexually transmitted infection, endometriosis, or adhesions.
• Endometriosis