Infertility is one of the major issues that has been rising rapidly across the world. Both men and women are affected and find it difficult to conceive a child or carry the child till childbirth.
Being unable to have a child can be distressing for most people. Fortunately, there are several fertility treatments that have been introduced to tackle these issues and achieve pregnancy.
The main reason some people get severe cases of infertility is because they did not treat it when it was in its early stages. Most people don’t even know that they have infertility until they are unable to have children.
In this article, we’ll look into some signs that may indicate fertility and require a fertility consultation to diagnose it. This can help you identify your issue and treat it when it is in its early stages.
Things That Suggest It's Time to Seek Help
Infertility can become a serious issue if left untreated for too long. It can hinder your pregnancy plans and make it harder for you to get pregnant. So, read the below signs thoroughly and visit a fertility doctor if you feel like you have them.
You Have a Known Reproductive Issue
- Fertility issues from conditions like PCOS, endometriosis, or azoospermia may require treatment, caused by hereditary factors, infections, or lifestyle choices.
Both men and women can have reproductive issues that can affect the functions of their reproductive organs. They might be caused by hereditary or genetic issues or caused by some infection, poor lifestyle, or injury.
Reproductive issues can affect your ability to get pregnant. Some mild issues can be treated and allow you to get pregnant naturally. Some other issues might be serious and require you to undergo fertility treatments to become pregnant.
Some reproductive issues that can affect your or your partner’s ability to achieve pregnancy are
- PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome),
- Uterine fibroids,
- Endometriosis,
- Blocked fallopian tubes,
- Azoospermia (low sperm count),
- Teratozoospermia (low sperm motility), etc.
You're Over 40
Age is an important factor that determines your ability to get pregnant naturally. The more you age, the lesser your ability to get pregnant. This is because your body only has a pre-determined set of follicles, and the reserve decreases each time you get your period. So, it is best to visit a fertility doctor if you are over 35 or 40.
You Have Had Multiple Miscarriages
- Miscarriages can result from egg/sperm quality or genetic issues; consulting a specialist helps improve chances of success.
You might experience miscarriages if you have an existing health condition or other fertility issues. A miscarriage happens when the fetus stops developing in the uterus and dies before the nine-month pregnancy period. It usually happens during the early stages of pregnancy (within 20 weeks of gestation).
Miscarriages happen due to one or more of the following reasons:
- The egg or sperm is of low quality, thus making the embryo also low quality. That’s why doctors often assess the quality of both eggs and sperm to increase the chances of successful implantation.
- The embryo does not implant properly in the uterus or has implanted in areas other than the uterus (eg: fallopian tubes)
- The embryo has genetic or chromosomal disorders passed from either or both parents
Any of the above reasons may lead to miscarriages. So, it is best to visit a fertility doctor if you experience repeated miscarriages and take the necessary treatments.
You've Been Trying for More Than a Year
Generally, couples are considered infertile if they can’t get pregnant after one year of regular, unprotected sex. So, if you are in this situation, don’t delay and immediately seek professional help for your issue. The sooner you diagnose the root cause of the issue, the easier it will be for you to get pregnant the next time you try.
You Have Been Diagnosed With Cancer
Cancer is one of the major health conditions that can affect your fertility. Cancer and its following treatments (chemotherapy) can take a toll on a person’s fertility.
Doctors usually recommend patients preserve their eggs, sperm, or embryos (cryopreservation) so that they can use them in the future. Discuss with your doctor and see what you can do to preserve your fertility.
Your Partner Has Trouble Achieving or Maintaining an Erection
Your partner needs to be sexually active and able to achieve erection for the sperm to be ejaculated into the uterus. Being unable to maintain an erection can be due to some infertility issues. It’s a good idea to see a male infertility specialist and complete any recommended treatments before trying to conceive again.
You Have No Periods, Irregular Periods, or Heavy Bleeding
Your menstrual cycle is directly related to your reproductive health. Having no periods, irregular periods, or heavy periods is usually an indication of ovulatory issues.
It is best to consult a doctor in the early stages when you experience issues with your period. Always have a positive expectation when seeing a fertility doctor. This can help you diagnose if you have any underlying complications and treat them early.
You Have a Chronic Medical Condition
A chronic medical condition can affect the normal functioning of your body. If you have any of the below chronic conditions, it is best to consult a fertility doctor before trying for a baby.
- Diabetes
- Heart diseases
- Hypertension
- Kidney diseases
- Thyroid conditions
- Genetic disorder
High or low female BMI
According to studies, nearly 12% of infertility cases worldwide are caused due to weight issues. Being overweight (obesity) or underweight can affect your hormonal levels and affect your natural reproductive functions.
A healthy BMI is between 18.5 and 24.9. Any lower or higher than this will increase the chances of infertility issues and make it difficult to get pregnant. You might have to visit a fertility doctor or a dietician to bring your weight to normal before trying for pregnancy.
Conclusion
Infertility can feel overwhelming and serious, but with proper treatment and following your doctor’s advice, it is often manageable and can be overcome. The main issue with infertility is identifying its root cause.
Once you understand what causes infertility, it can be cured pretty quickly, and you can try for pregnancy, either naturally or through assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) like IUI, IVF, etc.
FAQs
You can try getting pregnant naturally if you are 35 years old. But, if you can’t get pregnant after trying for some time, it is best to visit a fertility doctor and get medical assistance.
Thyroid can interfere with many bodily functions, including fertility. It affects your body’s natural hormone levels and impacts ovulation. So, you must visit a fertility doctor if you have a thyroid condition.
It is best if you visit a fertility doctor after one or two miscarriages. One miscarriage might be normal and caused due to other factors. But, if you have recurrent miscarriages, it usually indicates fertility problems and might require medical help to get pregnant successfully.