The common signs of infertility are shared in symptoms of stress. Your body responds to stress in invisible ways, much like infertility. Irregular menstruation, missed menstruation, weight fluctuations can all be signs of both.
Age is a sign too. The older you get, the trickier fertility and conception become. But, there are interventions like IVF, freezing your eggs, surrogacy and egg donors. These alternatives give you more chance of conceiving and carrying to full term. So, what are the signs to look out for if you’re wondering about your own fertility?
Age
Women’s fertility peaks in their 20s. By age 35, they have a 50-50 chance of getting pregnant, with fertility decreasing from the ages 35 and up. Women in their 40s have as low as a 5% chance of falling pregnant on their own, and less than 20% with help.
So when should you start looking at fertility clinics? IVFAuthority.com helps you choose the best fertility clinics and offer a number of helpful resources for those considering treatment. It’s a one-stop solution for information about costs, tools, success rates, and how IVF works.
Pain during intercourse
Bringing up pain during sex can be uncomfortable, but taking note of it is important. Pain during sex, or dyspareunia, is characterized by recurring or persistent genital pain. It usually occurs during sex and can be an indication of an underlying issue and could be as a result of infection, endometriosis or cystic fibrosis.
It can also be a result of emotional stress, so getting a holistic diagnosis is important. These underlying issues can cause infertility if not treated or without medical intervention like surgery or medications.
Irregular periods
Although many women don’t pay a great deal of attention to their cycles, an irregular period can be stressful. Stress, in turn, can worsen irregularities or stop menstruation altogether. Periods cycles are very important when it comes to conception. Depending on their length and frequency, you are better able to predict ovulation.
Irregularity here and there may not be a concern, but for couples trying to conceive, it’s an important part of the equation. But, it isn’t the only indicator that something could be wrong. Tracking your cycle has become a lot easier with Apps and information available online.
Painful menstruation
Apart from being uncomfortable and in some cases debilitating, painful menstruation can also be an indicator of other health concerns. Endometriosis is a disorder that causes the tissue that usually grows inside your uterus to grow on the outside. It can cause excruciating pain and can lead to fertility issues.
Endometriosis causes many other symptoms, including excessive bleeding, painful bowel movements or bowel restriction and back pain. It’s quite a common diagnosis. Once you’ve identified the issue, you can take the necessary steps to improve its effects. And thankfully, it is a treatable disorder and can be managed with medications.
Underlying medical conditions
As mentioned above, endometriosis is an underlying medical condition that can cause fertility complications. Others include Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) which can cause increased levels of the male hormones and cause the body to release eggs less frequently.
Cancer and cancer treatments also influence infertility. As well as uterine and fallopian tube damage as a result of STI’s, like gonorrhea. Obesity and a poor diet are also big risk factors for fertility, not to mention cigarettes, alcohol and caffeine. So, improving some of your lifestyle choices can be of great importance.