Signs of Infertility
You're trying to conceive… but haven't gotten a positive. What are the signs of infertility? And how do you know if you're facing fertility problems or just need to give it a little more time?
Couples usually conceive during their first six months of trying, and about 85 percent of couples will get pregnant during the first year. It's important to remember that this first year is unprotected sex – no condoms, foams, jellies, or any forms of birth control.
Even among couples that don't conceive in the first year of trying, about half of them will be able to conceive naturally with no help within three years – it just sometimes takes them longer. Sometimes it happens after a couple adopts a healthier lifestyle or after some outside stress is relieved.
So what symptoms should you be watching for?
The biggest of the signs of infertility is the most obvious one:
You aren't getting pregnant.
But refer back to the statistics above – most couples have conceived within a year of starting to try for a baby.
When should you go see your doctor or midwife? Well, it depends. If you're charting your cycles and know that you're timing baby-making sex properly… and you haven't conceived within six months it may be good to go have a fertility workup. If you're not charting, wait and go for a workup until after you've been trying for a full twelve months.
Here are some other possible signs of infertility:
- Absence of a Period (amenorrhea)
- Signs of excess male hormones – facial hair, extra bodyweight, complexion problems
- Excessively heavy and/or painful periods
- Endometriosis
- Repeated Miscarriage
- Past STD's (in women and men)
- Pelvic inflammatory disease
- History of low sperm count in men
- History of prostate or sexual problems in men
If you experience any of these, it's time to consult with your doctor or midwife – or to start learning more about infertility. Many of these symptoms can be taken care of with natural methods of boosting fertility – diet, herbal remedies, and other options. Good information can help you conceive – naturally.
(NOTE: Want the Top Easy Steps to Boosting Your Fertility? Use these 5 simple, evidence-based steps to get pregnant and carry your healthy baby to term. Get them here.)
