Infertility Symptoms
Infertility is usually defined as not being able to get pregnant despite trying for one year. A broader view of infertility includes not being able to carry a pregnancy to term and have a baby.
Female and male infertility combined affects about 6.1 million Americans, or 10 percent of the reproductive age population, according to the American Society for Reproductive
Medicine.
Pregnancy is the result of a chain of events. A woman must release an egg from one of her ovaries (ovulation). The egg must travel through a fallopian tube toward her uterus (womb). A man's sperm must join with (fertilize) the egg along the way. The fertilized egg must then become attached to the inside of the uterus. While this may seem simple, in fact many things can happen to prevent pregnancy from occurring.
Symptoms of Infertility
Male infertility symptoms usually are non-existent, showing no signs or symptoms. Some men with hormonal problems may note a change in their voice or pattern of hair growth, enlargement of their breasts, or difficulty with sexual function. Infertility in women may be signaled by irregular menstrual periods or associated with conditions that cause pain during menstruation or intercourse.
In general, don't be concerned about infertility unless you and your partner have been trying to conceive regularly for at least one year. However, if you're a woman older than 30 or haven't had a menstrual flow for longer than six months, seek a medical evaluation. If you have a history of irregular or painful menstrual cycles, pelvic pain, endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) or repeated miscarriages, schedule a consultation with your doctor sooner. If you're a man with a low sperm count or a history of testicular, prostate or sexual problems, consider seeking help earlier.
Infertility Symptoms to I
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