Infertility is very common these days. It is very stressful especially because there are no direct signs or symptoms known until couple plans to conceive. Infertility can affect men and women at any point. Around 1/3rd of infertility problems are related to men, another 1/3rd related to women, and the last 1/3rd comes from both and unknown causes. We are going to learn about the signs of infertility in both sexes and when you should see your doctor.
Infertility in Women
Dyspareunia
Dyspareunia or painful encounter is the sign of a health problem related to her fertility. Some of the common examples are fibroids, infections, and endometriosis.
Long, heavy or painful periods
Some women suffer light flow for a few days, while others suffer painful cramps and heavy periods. Women with painful or heavy periods may have endometriosis, where tissues in the womb are found anywhere else in the body.
Pale or dark period blood
If your menstrual period blood is paler than normal, it might be a sign of worry. Usually, menstrual blood is bright red at the beginning and gets darker with time. If you are having other symptoms, you should call the doctor.
Hormonal imbalances
There are no specific signs of hormonal changes. You may not even know the common cause or notice them. Let you, doctor, to look for these changes. Fluctuations can often cause –
- Severe acne
- Unusual weight gain
- Cold hands and feet
- Loss of sex drive
- Facial hair
- Nipple discharge
- Thinning hair on the top
Infertility in Men
Hormonal changes
Man’s fertility is affected due to several hormonal imbalances. Testosterone is an important hormone in a man’s body. Follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone are produced on pituitary glands. Any problems in this gland can also affect infertility.
Problems with ejaculate or ejaculation
Having changes in ejaculation or problem in ejaculating, such as drop-in volume, is also the sign of man’s infertility.
Erectile Dysfunction
Psychological factors, hormonal changes, or bodily issues can also make it harder for men to maintain or even get an erection. If it happens too much, it can even affect sexual intercourse or show the given issue.
Testicle changes
Healthy testicles play a vital role in male fertility. Firm or small testicles which seem to be tight are other signs of hormonal problems. On the other side, swollen, tender, or painful testicles are the sign of common issues like an infection which can also affect male fertility and sperm quality.
Obesity
A lot of studies combine male obesity with infertility, according to research in 2015. Obesity also causes other conditions that can affect the fertility of men, such as sexual dysfunction and sperm quality.
Other Risk Factors
Here are some other risk factors of infertility that can affect both men and women –
- Smoking weed or tobacco
- Age
- Stress
- Drinking alcohol
- Poor diet
- History of STDs
When you should see the doctor?
Any person having the above signs of infertility and who have been trying to conceive for over a year if they are below 30 years or 6 months if they are older than 35 years should see the doctor for proper diagnosis. Sometimes making simple lifestyle changes can help improve fertility, while some common causes may need proper treatment. Even when you are diagnosed with infertility, there are still options to conceive you should ask the doctor.
