An Overview of Female Infertility: Symptoms and Causes
What is Female Infertility?
Female infertility is described as a woman’s inability to get pregnant. She may not be able to conceive or carry the baby until birth.
The process of pregnancy starts when a woman’s body releases an egg. This step is called ovulation. The egg travels through the fallopian tube. This is where it may meet a sperm after unprotected sex. If the sperm joins with the egg, fertilization happens. The fertilized egg then moves to the uterus (womb). It attaches to the inner lining of the uterus to grow into a baby.
In case of female fertility problems, this process does not work as expected. The issue could lie with the ovulation, the fallopian tubes, the uterus, or something else.
What are the Female Infertility Symptoms?
Infertility warning signs can be different for different women. Plus, most of the time, the signs of infertility are overlooked. They are only realised when the woman faces issues with having babies. Below is a list of possible signs of infertility in women:
- Irregular or absent periods: Your menstrual cycle is a good indicator of your reproductive health. Unpredictable periods could be a cause of concern. It is when they come at different times each month, or if you skip periods entirely. Irregular periods could mean that you are not ovulating regularly.
- Unusually heavy or light menstrual bleeding: Some variation in your periods is okay. However, unusually heavy bleeding (meaning you soak through pads or tampons very quickly) is concerning. Alternatively, unusually light bleeding can be one of the symptoms of infertility in women. These conditions may sometimes point to some hormone imbalance or issues with your uterus. Both of these can affect your ability to get pregnant.
- Severe menstrual cramps or chronic pelvic pain: Most women experience some discomfort during their periods. However, if your cramps are severe enough to disrupt your daily life, seek help. Having persistent pelvic pain even when you are not on your period matters too. Some conditions can cause this type of pain and also impact fertility. For example, endometriosis. In this condition, tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus. Another example is pelvic inflammatory disease, an infection of the reproductive organs.
- Unexplained weight gain or sudden weight loss: If you are gaining or losing weight unexpectedly, it may be related to conditions such as PCOS. PCOS stands for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. It can also be because of other metabolic or hormonal issues. These conditions can disrupt your hormones and, in turn, affect your fertility.
- Low libido or changes in sexual desire: Sometimes women with infertility issues have lower sexual desire. It can be related to hormonal disruptions.
- Pain during intercourse: If you experience pain during intercourse, it is important not to ignore it. This could indicate anatomical issues or underlying conditions affecting your reproductive system. It might also impact your ability to conceive.
What Causes Female Infertility?
Some factors may individually or collectively interfere with conception. The common causes of infertility in women include:
- Ovulation disorders: This typically involves the release of eggs from the ovaries for possible fertilization. Conditions like PCOS or thyroid issues can stop your body from releasing an egg regularly.
- Damaged fallopian tubes: This generally happens due to infections, surgery, or ectopic pregnancy (implantation happened outside the womb).
- Primary ovarian insufficiency: It is a condition in which the ovaries stop functioning normally before the age of 40 years old.
- Age-related decline: As women age, the number and quality of their eggs naturally decrease. That makes it more difficult to conceive.
- Lifestyle factors: Smoking, too much alcohol consumption, or being constantly stressed can affect fertility.
Conclusion
Understanding infertility is about knowing your own body. Pay attention if something does not feel right. Each person’s path is unique, but it is important not to ignore early signs. Whether you are facing female infertility or male infertility issues, see a fertility specialist. Infertility in men may involve erectile dysfunction, problems with sperm production, or something else.
FAQs
Female infertility affects around 10% of women of reproductive age worldwide.
The main reason women have trouble getting pregnant is often linked to ovulation disorders. This is especially common because of a hormone issue called PCOS.
You are likely to be fertile if your periods are regular and you lead a healthy lifestyle. You are probably fertile if you do not have any known medical problems that affect fertility. However, medical tests can give you a more definite answer.
Having trouble conceiving even after regular intercourse is the biggest sign. Irregular periods, pelvic pain, and hormonal symptoms (like acne or weight changes) are also some symptoms.