Infertility Specialist

What Are the Symptoms of Infertility?

The biggest sign of infertility is the inability to conceive a child after the first six months of trying. Usually, after 12 months of trying, 90 percent of couples can get pregnant. If a person still cannot get pregnant after this long, there is usually some kind of internal issue that could require medical attention.

There are no other blatant symptoms to help identify that a person is infertile. In women, some may have irregular menstrual cycles or skip periods. Women who are over 40, had a miscarriage, had cancer treatment, or have endometriosis might also have a higher risk of infertility.

What Causes Infertility?

Infertility in women can be caused by a number of factors. Some of the most common issues include ovulation disorders, abnormalities in the uterus or cervix, damaged or blocked fallopian tubes, endometriosis, primary ovarian insufficiency, or pelvic adhesions.

Additional issues that can contribute to the inability to conceive are issues with the thyroid, cancer and cancer treatments, celiac disease, Cushing's disease, kidney disease, sickle cell disease, or diabetes. Certain medications can also affect fertility levels, but this problem is usually solved once the medications are stopped.

How Is Infertility Treated?

Depending on the cause, women may need one or multiple therapies to restore the ability to conceive. One of the most popular treatments for women is fertility drugs. These work to regulate or induce ovulation, depending on what the issue is.

Another popular way to fix infertility is intrauterine insemination. In this procedure, healthy sperm is taken from the male and then released inside the female's uterus when the ovaries release eggs for fertilization.

Lastly, some infertility problems require surgery to fix. Problems such as endometrial polyps, intrauterine scar tissue, or a uterine septum can all be successfully corrected with surgery.