These days, many people spend so much time trying not to get pregnant, that when the time comes to start building our families, it can be surprising when it doesn’t happen as easily or quickly as we expected it to. If you’ve been trying to get pregnant for a while and still are finding no results, there could be some unexpected complications pointing to infertility that are worth looking into.
Keep in mind that only a medical professional can confirm infertility in someone, so if you are having trouble getting pregnant and are questioning whether or not you should be seeing your doctor, then these are five big signs to look for that could show that you might be exhibiting symptoms of infertility.
#1 Irregular Periods
If your period is a day or two late it’s usually nothing to worry about. Usually, it should come every 24 to 35 days with a little wiggle room, so if you’re finding your period is erratic and irregular and does not match this timetable, you may be exhibiting signs of An ovulation.
An ovulation is responsible for around 30-40 percent of female infertility cases, and having irregular periods is one of the clearer signs that someone may have this condition.
An ovulation occurs when there is a hormone imbalance that causes the ovaries not to release an oocyte (or egg) during a normal menstrual cycle. If an egg is not released, then ovulation does not take place, removing the opportunity for a woman to get pregnant during that cycle.
#2 Period Flow is Off
Sometimes your flow can a bit heavier than normal, but if you are experiencing very heavy menstrual bleeding, also known as menorrhagia, then you might be exhibiting signs of a deeper health issue that points to infertility.
Menorrhagia can be another symptom of An ovulation. Normally, when a menstrual cycle occurs, progesterone production is stimulated by the release of an egg. This is the hormone responsible for maintaining regular periods in a woman’s body. If An ovulation is occurring, the hormone imbalance can lead to an insufficient level of progesterone, causing an abnormal amount of heavy bleeding.
This heavy bleeding is not a period, but can easily be mistaken for one. If you are noticing a change in your flow, it may be worth asking your doctor about to see if you could be exhibiting signs of infertility.
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#3 No Periods
If you don’t have a period at all then it is a clear sign that you are definitely not ovulating. Periods are a direct result of a normal ovulation cycle, and if you are not getting them at all there is a high likelihood that infertility may be the cause.
#4 Painful periods
If you are noticing a change in your sex drive in a significant way, it could be a sign of Endometriosis.
Endometriosis affects over 176 million women worldwide. It is a disorder that occurs when the tissue that makes up the uterine lining becomes present on other organs inside your body, usually in the pelvis or lower abdomen.
Endometriosis can make it harder to get pregnant by preventing movement of the egg and sperm through a woman’s fallopian tubes.
#5 Increased facial hair
Increased hair growth on the face can be a symptom of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome or “PCOS”. This condition occurs when a woman has an excess of male hormones called androgens, which normally the female body converts into estrogen. If these are not converted into estrogen then the high levels of androgens interfere with the development and regular release of eggs in a menstrual cycle.
When a woman has PCOS, her ovaries become larger than normal and may become covered in tiny cysts that contain immature eggs.
Similar to Endometriosis and An ovulation, PCOS can cause irregular ovulation or a total lack of ovulation. Because of this, PCOS can significantly affect fertility.
Treatments
Thankfully, there are infertility treatments for some of these symptoms and disorders, and specialized consultations are offered by Reproductive Health and Wellness Center for anyone who has concerns about any of these symptoms and may be seeking treatment. The skilled professionals we have available can help you prepare for any fertility issues that might arise, and get you on your way to a healthy pregnancy!
To speak to a fertility specialist call 949-516-0606 or go here to book an appointment.
At Reproductive Health and Wellness Center, we are experts at treating fertility issues. We provide the latest in cutting-edge embryo science by using the latest technologies, and we create innovative fertility plans tailored specifically to each individual. But we’re so much more.
