What Are Signs of Infertility?

Key Points:

• There are many different symptoms that can indicate signs of infertility.
• Age can be a major factor that impacts your chances of getting pregnant.
• Surrogacy can be an alternative family-building option that can fulfill your dreams of becoming parents.

There are a number of different symptoms of infertility and signs you can’t get pregnant, no matter if you’re female or male. If you’re showing signs of infertility or want to know what are signs that you can’t get pregnant, you’ve come to the right place.

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We created this article with you in mind, to help you understand infertility and what signs of infertility you should look for if you find yourself in this struggle.

Also, know that you are not alone and that there is always help available to you. When you reach out and talk with a professional, you can get the guidance and support you need to better navigate this challenge and find the best option for you.

Symptoms and Signs of Infertility

If you’re showing symptoms of infertility or signs you can’t get pregnant, you’re not alone. Around 12 to 13 percent of couples in the United States experience infertility issues.

While it may be difficult to detect signs of infertility outright, here are some signs that may point to fertility issues:

Irregular Menstrual Cycles

Having irregular periods can be normal when menstruation begins, because it can take the body time to get regulated. After your teenage years, however, your menstrual cycles should be regular. If you have an irregular cycle, it could be a sign of an ovulation problem, which can lead to challenges becoming pregnant, including infertility.

There are several causes of irregular periods, including:

• Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)
• Low ovarian reserves
• Excessive exercise
• Being overweight/underweight
• Primary ovarian insufficiency
• And more

Light/Heavy Bleeding and Cramps

If you have bleeding between three to seven days, that’s considered normal. However, if you have extremely light or, on the other hand, heave/intense bleeding, you should talk to your doctor. Other period-related signs that might indicate a fertility problem include:

• Unusual spotting between cycles
• Severe menstrual cramps
• Significant changes in the length of bleeding days
• And more

Age

Although age is not something we can solve, it can be a major factor that impacts your chances of getting pregnant. Typically, fertility potential can start to become a concern around age 35 for women and increases through ages 40 and up.

Although there are options, such as IVF, that can help a woman 35 or older be able to conceive, those options may not always be able to solve the fertility issues. This is why it’s always important to talk with your doctor about what you can do.

Miscarriage Rate

While infertility is usually associated with the inability to get pregnancy, women who experience recurrent miscarriages may also need help with getting pregnant. Nearly 20% of pregnancies end in miscarriage, so it is not uncommon. However, repeated miscarriage is not common, so you should talk with your doctor if you’ve had two successive miscarriages.

Weight

Whether you’re underweight or overweight, your weight can play a large role in your fertility. Obesity is believed to be one of the most common causes of preventable fertility. However, research has found that losing five to 10 percent of your body weight can help ovulation for women, bettering their chances for successful fertility.

Chronic Illnesses

Some chronic diseases and their treatments can cause fertility problems, including:

• Diabetes
• Hypothyroidism
• Untreated celiac disease
• And more

Cancer

There are some cancer treatments that can lead to fertility problems, for both women and men. If you are going through cancer treatments, talk with your doctor about the potential effect(s) these treatments could possibly have on your chances of fertility.

Smoking and Alcohol Use

Although the risks of using tobacco and alcohol while pregnant are already known, using these products while trying to get pregnant can also cause problems. For women, smoking has been shown to speed up the ovarian aging process, which can bring menopause earlier than normal.

Quitting early enough may be able to reverse some damage, but always talk with your doctor about other steps you can take to help you with this.

How You Can Still Build Your Family

We know that symptoms and signs of infertility can be scary, but you are never alone through this time in your life. Many women, men, and couples have experienced fertility and were still successful in building their families.

One of the options that may be available to you is through surrogacy, which is a method in which intended parents can have a genetically-related child but don’t carry the baby themselves. However, knowing when to move from infertility to surrogacy can be a difficult decision to make, especially if you are still dreaming of experiencing the pregnancy process yourself.

Ultimately, no one can make this decision for you; this is a choice that must be made by you and your partner. Whether you’re want to know more about signs of infertility to look for or you have questions about what surrogacy involves, there are professionals you can talk to about this.

We can connect you with professionals who can help answer any questions you have and make sure you truly understand and feel prepared for what surrogacy will mean for you. When you’re ready, reach out to us online.