Articles: Infertility

You are having trouble getting pregnant, but before you jump to conclusions, it would help if you had a better understanding of the signs of infertility and a proper, yet useful definition. Let's say you have been trying for at least a year now and have not become pregnant. What exactly does that mean?

Well, technically from a medical perspective, you meet the definition of infertility. It by no means says you cannot still get pregnant at anytime. Your inability to conceive is obviously just your first indication of infertility and means you may need professional help.

The fact is that about 90% of couples that have been actively trying, will indeed achieve pregnancy within a year. Usually the problem is simply timing relative to the ovulation cycle. A simple ovulation kit or just tracking basal body temperature may solve it. If not, there may be some underlying issue in either partner that will have to be explored. Professional healthcare through your physician, a clinic or other specialist may be required for proper diagnosis.

There can be a wide range of factors and warning signs that may indicate fertility issues for most couples. The key is to know what to look for and what to ask, relative to either partner. In general, if you have been unable to become pregnant, the common signs to first consider include, overall health, weight problems, chronic illness, menstrual cycle issues, body pain, current medications, previous miscarriages, and general lifestyle.

Believe it or not, a substantial number of partners simply need to address the basics of their lifestyle to find the solution to their pregnancy problem. Typical signs include the use of alcohol and drugs, smoking, extreme exercise, poor eating and nutrition, stress and other psychological issues. Take a hard look at your current situation, be honest and make the changes where necessary. You'll be happy you did.

It should be remembered, however, that you both can essentially be healthy, have no real risk factors, have standard cycles, have normal sex life and do all the right things, but still experience infertility and all it's heartache. This is when you have to consider the professionals for help.

Let's address the male first. Apparent signs that may or may not be obvious usually concern physical issues. Obvious would be obesity for example, or any of the lifestyle signs above. Not as apparent would be body and anatomical issues such and low sperm count, hormonal abnormalities, circulatory problems, erectile dysfunction, testicular and urethra dysfunction. Any of these will be discovered in normal infertility clinic testing and in fact, are usually performed first as they are simple procedures.

The most common sign of problems, aside from the lifestyle concerns, is usually related to menstrual cycle, for example, amenorrhea or irregular cycles. However, since this can be quite common, it does not automatically indicate infertility. A related sign periods that are regularly painful, which could be indicative of possible diseases that could result in infertility. In addition, pain in the abdominal area could also be related to endometriosis, PCOS, PID, internal infections or other fertility issues. Proper diagnosis will indicate what treatment options to consider in moving forward.

We all know that age is of particular importance to most women, but relative to infertility, it can play a key role. Once you reach 35, issues concerning infertility increase dramatically. Between 35 and 40, the chance of pregnancy for any given cycle is about 20%, and that drops to 5% over the age of 40. Again, there are therapies to address this issue, so don't lose hope. Just know this is a fact of life.

Several other potential signs that can affect either partner and may be the key to your infertility include chronic illnesses such as thyroid problems, hypertension, diabetes, cancer and STD. In addition, the actual medications to help you with these, may be working against you relative to pregnancy. So if you have not been able to become pregnant after one year of regularly trying, consider the factors we have talked about here. Anyone of these may be key in solving your problem. Do not hesitate to seek professional care for testing, advice and treatment if necessary. You too can overcome infertility with knowledge.

Joan William is an infertility expert and has written extensively on the subject. For more great advice and answers to your questions concerning signs of infertility, visit http://www.infertilityvictory.com.