For most couples, trying to get pregnant and not succeeding is a heart-breaking matter. There are, however, some early warning signs that may hint at a fertility problem and should be seen to as soon as possible.

When is a couple infertile?

A couple is deemed infertile when, after having unprotected, regular sex for six months to one year, they are still not pregnant. The early diagnosis of an infertility problem may improve your odds of getting pregnant.

Who is to blame?

Infertility is a sensitive issue and naming and blaming has no part in it. Sometimes no cause is ever found. However, studies have shown that in the case of infertility one-third of couples will discover fertility problems in only the man, one third in only the woman and one third in both.

Female infertility is fairly easy to establish, but male infertility is difficult because obvious symptoms are not common with male infertility.

Early warning signs

The main and most common symptom of infertility is not getting pregnant but there may be other early warning causes, signs and symptoms you need to take note of.

Female infertility causes, signs and symptoms

    • Irregular menstrual cycles (unusually short or long or at unpredictable times)
    • No periods (never had a period or periods suddenly stop)
    • Bleeding (extremely heavy and intense for more than seven days or very lightly)
    • Cramps (excessive, painful cramps)
    • Age (the average woman’s chance of conceiving during any one cycle is 20% at age 30 and 5% at age 40)
    • Recurrent miscarriages (only after a second or third successive miscarriage)
    • Weight (being excessively thin or overweight)
    • Hormonal problems (symptoms such as skin changes and acne, lowered sex drive and desire, dark hair growth on the lips, chest and chin, etc.)
    • Extreme or poor dieting practices or too much exercise
    • Chronic illnesses and their treatment (cancer, diabetes, thyroid problems, hypertension, etc.)
    • Sexually transmitted infections (STIs such as chlamydia or gonorrhoea can cause blockage of the fallopian tubes that either make pregnancy impossible or may cause an ectopic pregnancy)
    • Smoking and excessive drinking of alcohol (smoking has been linked to problems with conception and heavy drinking with infertility).

Male infertility causes, signs and symptoms

    • Sexual dysfunction (having problems with erections and ejaculations)
    • Low sperm count or inhibited sperm mobility (which can only be detected by a basic semen and sperm analysis)
    • Varicoceles (most common cause of male infertility caused by build-up of extra heat by the varicose vein in the scrotum and its effect on sperm count and impaired sperm movement)
    • Testicular pain, lumps or swelling
    • Having small, firm testicles
    • Chronic illnesses and their treatment (some medicines used to treat peptic ulcers and hypertension may cause male infertility as may some cancer treatments)
    • STIs (current or previous infection with chlamydia or gonorrhoea, etc.)
    • Hormonal problems (abnormal hair growth, low libido and other sexual dysfunctions)
    • Tobacco and alcohol (heavy drinking has been linked with male infertility)
    • Age (over 40 years of age)
    • Obesity.

The good news is that some causes of female and male infertility are treatable or correctable through surgery or treatment with medicines and, when all else fails, treatments in which sperm is transferred into the uterus via the cervix (IUI) or in vitro fertilisation (IVF) are possibilities.

 

Sources

 

Gurevich, R. 2014. Symptoms of infertility. Retrieved from: http://infertility.about.com/od/tryingtoconceive101/a/symptomsrisks.htmnderstanding the Symptoms of Infertility
Gurevich, R. 2014. What Is male infertility? Retrieved from: http://infertility.about.com/od/causesofinfertility/a/male_infertility.htm
Understanding infertility symptoms. 2015. Retrieved from: http://www.webmd.com/infertility-and-reproduction/guide/understanding-infertility-symptoms