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16 May 2023
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We understand that infertility can be frustrating and disheartening. 

A person is infertile if they are unable to conceive after one year, or 12 menstruation cycles, of having unprotected sex. It can also refer to women over the age of 35 who haven’t been able to conceive after six cycles. But there may be signs to look out for before that one-year mark that could signal possible infertility.

If you’re concerned about infertility for you and your partner, it’s important to know potential symptoms to be aware of. That way you can get the treatment needed as soon as possible to increase the chance of conception.

Read on to learn about the commonality of infertility, warning signs to look for and how to help treat it. 

How common is infertility?

If you’ve been struggling to conceive for more than a year, you’re not alone. Infertility is incredibly common, affecting 10% to 15% of couples. It can also affect each person separately, with 9% of men and 11% of women experiencing infertility. 

Infertility can stem from many different possible causes, including:

  • Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
  • Thyroid gland issues.
  • Primary ovarian insufficiency.
  • Hormonal imbalances.
  • Age.
  • Being overweight or underweight.

There’s also a 30% rate of unexplained infertility in couples who seek evaluation for fertility issues. Unexplained fertility often stems from endometriosis or luteal phase deficiency, which is inadequate progesterone secretion.

Infertility warning signs

There are a few symptoms of infertility that can become noticeable even before the one-year requirement for it to be diagnosable. Being aware of the infertility warning signs, for both males and females, will let you know when it’s time to seek professional help to increase your chances of conceiving.

Since the symptoms of infertility will manifest differently for males and females, it’s important to note potential warning signs for you as well as your partner. Sometimes it’s easier to notice a change in your significant other that they may not recognize on their own.

Female infertility warning signs can include:

  • Menstrual cycle changes.
  • Painful periods.
  • Extreme hair growth or loss.
  • Severe acne breakouts.
  • Sudden weight gain without cause.

Male infertility warning signs can include:

  • Pain, lumps or swelling in testicles.
  • Changes in sexual desire.
  • Erectile dysfunction.

How to treat infertility

Struggling with infertility doesn’t mean that you will never be able to conceive, especially if you identify the potential treatments that may help. There are a few different options that a couple can explore for treating infertility. A fertility specialist will recommend the best option based on your medical history and potential infertility causes.

Possible infertility treatments include:

  • Ovarian stimulation (OS) — Most fertility specialists will recommend that you start with medications to help stimulate ovulation. They will likely prescribe oral tablets of clomiphene citrate or letrozole to increase the number of ovulated eggs from the fallopian tube during your menstruation cycle. They will also recommend timed sexual intercourse. Pregnancy stemming from OS will likely occur in the first three months.
  • Trigger shot — In addition to ovarian stimulation, your fertility specialist may recommend an injection of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG). This hormone assists in the release of multiple mature eggs that are waiting in your ovaries. To get the best timing, the shot is administered during an ultrasound.
  • Intrauterine insemination — This procedure involves sperm being directly implanted into the uterus to increase the number of healthy sperm cells that could potentially fertilize an egg in the fallopian tubes.
  • In vitro fertilization — IVF is an option for unexplained infertility when other methods have failed, and it involves removing eggs from the ovaries to be fertilized by sperm in a lab. It involves multiple procedures, which is why it’s not always the most affordable option for infertile couples and it won’t be effective for everyone.
  • Surgery — If it’s suspected that endometriosis is the potential cause of infertility, the fertility specialist may recommend testing and surgery if the ovarian stimulation hasn’t been effective.

Fertility Cloud can help you recognize infertility warning signs

When you’re struggling to conceive with your partner, you may not want to address the possibility of infertility. It can feel defeating and scary. But it’s important to be on the lookout for infertility warning signs and not brush them off. 

By consulting with a fertility specialist about potential infertility symptoms, they can help you determine the best course of action to increase your chance of conception.

If you’ve been noticing infertility warning signs, contact our team by phone today for more information or book an initial appointment online with a fertility specialist.