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10 signs and symptoms of infertility in women and men

The main sign of infertility is not a pregnancy that occurs after trying to design for a year (or for six months if the female partner is 35 years old or over). Infertility can occur due to factors in one or the other partner, but signs and symptoms differ between women and men.

Jump at the main dishes to remember.

Signs of infertility differ between men and women.

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Signs of infertility in women

1. irregular periods

The menstrual cycles vary in length, but the average length of the cycle is 28 days. Variations of a few days are normal for most people. However, if your menstrual cycle is so irregular that you cannot predict when you get your rules, you can have an underlying health that affects your fertility.

The health conditions that affect a person’s hormone levels, such as polycystic ovarian syndrome (SOPK), cause irregular menstrual cycles and can cause infertility.

2. Absence periods

People who do not get their menstrual period Most months can be at risk of infertility. The possible causes of absent periods include stress, significant weight changes, sopk and intense exercise. These factors can affect a person’s ability to become pregnant. Speak with your health care provider if you have stopped getting your rules and you are not pregnant.

3. Painful periods

People who experience very heavy or painful periods may experience infertility due to endometriosis. In this condition, tissues similar to the uterine lining develops outside the uterus. People with endometriosis may experience infertility, as well as painful periods, heavy bleeding and pain with sex.

4. Painful sex

It is never normal to feel pain with sex (dyspareunia). If sex is painful or uncomfortable for you, consult your health care provider.

Painful sex can be a sign of a serious state of health that affects fertility. Conditions that can make the painful sex include endometriosis, uterine fibroids (non -cancerous growth in the uterus) and certain infections.

5. Hormonal changes

The hormone levels of a person fluctuate throughout the month and can have an impact on their fertility. The possible signs of hormonal changes include:

  • Skin changes
  • Hair changes
  • Weight changes
  • Changes to your libido

6. Obesity

Obesity can increase the risk of infertility. Research has shown that a person’s weight can have an impact on their ability to design. Obesity can also increase the risk of pregnancy complications.

Signs of infertility in men

1. Hormonal changes

An adequate level of the testosterone hormone is necessary to produce sperm capable of fertilizing an egg. Any state of health that affects a man’s testosterone levels can have an impact on his fertility. Changes in your sexual desire or your libido may indicate a drop in hormone levels.

2. Erectile dysfunction

Erectile dysfunction occurs when a person has trouble obtaining or maintaining sufficient erection for sexual intercourse. The possible causes of erectile dysfunction include hormonal fluctuations, stress and chronic health problems. Speak with your health care provider if you are concerned about erectile dysfunction.

3. Ejaculation problems

Having difficulty ejaculation during intercourse can cause male infertility. If you notice changes in your ability to ejaculate, consult your health care provider.

4. Changes to the testicle

The testicles produce and secrete testosterone and sperm. Any health problem that affects testicles could increase the risk of infertility. The signs of a problem with testicles, such as infection, include pain and swelling. Other symptoms may include testicles that feel small, firm or tight. Consult your health care provider if you recently experienced a testicular health change.

5. Obesity

Weight can affect male fertility. Research shows that obesity increases the risk of infertility in men and women. This may be due to the fact that adipose tissue in the body affects hormone levels. Obesity can also increase the risk of sperm and ejaculation problems.

Causes of infertility

The factors of the female partner cause approximately a third of all cases of infertility, and the factors of the male partner cause another third party. The last third is probably due to a combination of the two.

In the United States, around 10% of women experience infertility. If you try to design for a year (or for six months if you are 35 years old or more), talk to your infertility health care provider.

A health care provider can carry out diagnostic tests to determine which factor contributes to your infertility.

The possible causes of female infertility include:

The possible causes of male infertility include:

Infertility risk factors

Infertility is a complex medical condition, and several factors can contribute to the ability of a person to design. Infertility risk factors that affect all sexes include:

  • History of sexually transmitted infections (IST)
  • Advanced age
  • Be over or over
  • Using alcohol, tobacco or marijuana
  • Chronic stress
  • A diet without healthy nutrients
  • History of cancer treatments
  • Another exposure to toxins (food or environmental, such as pesticides)

When to see your health care provider

Consult your health care provider if you have been trying to design for at least a year. If you are a woman over 35, see your supplier after trying for six months. Many cases of infertility are treatable. Your health professional will test to determine the underlying cause and recommend certain life or medical treatment.

A note on the terms of sex and genre

This article describes signs of infertility in people assigned to birth and people assigned to birth. He can refer to women, women, men and men. Signs of infertility vary depending on the sexual organs and hormones of a person, rather than gender identity.

Main to remember

  • The main sign of infertility is a pregnancy that occurs after 1 year attempt to design (or six months if the female partner is 35 years old or more).
  • Other signs of infertility in women are irregular, absent, heavy or painful periods, sex pain, hormonal changes and obesity.
  • The other signs of infertility in men are hormonal changes, obesity, erectile dysfunction, ejaculation problems and testicular pain.
Very well health uses only high -quality sources, including studies evaluated by peers, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to find out more about how we check the facts and keep our content precise, reliable and trustworthy.
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  4. Women’s health office. Endometriosis.

  5. Silvestris E, from Pergola G, Rosania R, Loverro G. Obesity as a disruptor of female fertility. Reproducing the endocrinol biol. 2018; 16 (1): 22. DOI: 10.1186 / S12958-018-0336-Z

  6. Eisenberg ML, Esteves SC, Lamb DJ, et al. Male infertility. Night Rev Di Primers. 2023; 9 (1): 49. DOI: 10.1038 / S41572-023-00459-W

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  9. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. MST and infertility.


By Carrie Madormo, RN, MPH

Madormo is a health writer with more than a decade of experience as an authorized infirmarian. She worked in pediatrics, oncology, chronic pain and public health.

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