Not being able to conceive is quite disappointing for a couple trying to get pregnant for more than a year. One in five women in the US faces difficulty getting pregnant (1).
There are many medical reasons, but there are no evident early signs of infertility. So, if you are having regular periods but not getting pregnant despite regular sexual intercourse, it is one of the many indications of infertility and early signs you can’t get pregnant.
If someone is trying to conceive for a long but doesn’t see the results, it is because either of the partners is infertile. There can be many reasons that affect a woman’s or man’s fertility. Some people notice the early signs and seek professional help, while others don’t experience such symptoms.
You can’t know if you are infertile until you try to conceive. As a general rule of thumb, your gynecologist will diagnose you with infertility if you don’t conceive within one year of trying and you are 35 or above. If you also have questions about fertility, you are in the right place. Let’s check out the six most common signs of infertility in men and women.
Signs of Infertility in Women
1. Irregular Periods
Conception is difficult when you can’t predict when you are ovulating. The chances of conceiving are higher when you have sex during ovulation. But, irregular periods change the ovulating cycle, which might make getting pregnant difficult.
Normally, your menstrual cycle is 28 days long. It means your uterus lining will shed every 28 days. A small gap in this cycle is normal. For example, if your period is late or early by 3-4 days, that’s considered normal. However, if your period is too late and you cannot predict when you will get the next period, that indicates an underlying problem. This abnormality in your menstrual cycle can be caused by hormonal issues or more severe problems, such as PCOS (Polycystic ovaries syndrome).
Some people also have questions about are painful periods a sign of good fertility. Normally, pain during periods has nothing to do with fertility, but if the cramps are caused due to secondary dysmenorrhea or abnormalities of the reproductive system, it can certainly affect fertility.
2.Heavy Bleeding After/Before Periods
Heavy bleeding before or after your period is not normal. Some women bleed a lot on the first and second day of their menstrual cycle. That’s normal as long as there are no blood clots. A period is considered heavy when you observe the following things:
- You need to change pads or tampons every hour.
- You notice blood clots that are larger than a quarter.
- Bleeding doesn’t stop after your period ends (bleeding between 3 and 7 days is normal)
Two possible causes of heavy periods can be Uterine fibroids and blood disorders. The latter can be addressed with medication. If you are diagnosed with uterine fibroids, you may need to go through a surgical procedure to shrink the fibroids or have them removed. Note that you can’t conceive if you have uterine fibroids.
Even if you are not trying to get pregnant, you should report heavy bleeding or bleeding that lasts more than seven days to the doctor. Heavy bleeding is often a sign of uterine fibroids. Although these are non-cancerous and usually harmless, they can cause heavy bleeding and extreme pelvic pain. They can also grow larger, making it nearly impossible for you to conceive in the future.
3.Not Getting Periods
Most women who can’t conceive ask, “can you be infertile and still have normal periods”? Of course, it is possible. But, a common sign of infertility is women experiencing problems in their menstrual cycles.
Irregular periods are one thing, and not getting a period in months is another. While some women think they might be pregnant if their period is late, there can be other reasons you are not getting your period on time. It’s normal to miss your period timing once in a while, which can happen due to stress, heavy workout, and changes in your hormones.
However, if you don’t get a period for months, it is a cause of concern. No periods mean you are not ovulating either. It means you have a very low chance of getting pregnant without professional help. Seek medical help immediately if you have missed your period for more than two consecutive months.
Some signs of high fertility in a woman can be checked from an ovulation predictor and are indicated by an increased sense of smell, breast tenderness, increased sex drive, and a change in cervical mucus.
Signs of Infertility in Men
Are you wondering “how to know if I'm infertile male”? Let’s check out the common signs of male infertility. The problem signs of fertility in men are all related to difficulty in sexual function, such as erection, ejaculation, less semen, or pain in the testicles.
If you wish to know how to tell if a man is fertile at home, the semen can be tested to see the sperm count, shape, and movement, but that is only done in a laboratory and is labor intensive and expensive (2).
4.Low Sperm Count
Sperm count, and it's quality cause infertility in 20% of couples. If you are diagnosed with a low sperm count or if it’s missing, discuss your treatment options with your gynecologist. It is one of the reasons a man can't get a woman pregnant.
Research hasn’t found a cause for low sperm count, although several factors can affect it. A problem in tubes carrying sperm, a genital infection, a medical history involving surgery near the scrotum, cancer medication or therapies, an inherited disorder, or a severe hormone imbalance is just a few. Your doctor will order perm tests to determine if the low sperm count or poor quality sperm is the cause of infertility.
5.Erectile Dysfunction
Erectile dysfunction indicates an underlying medical problem. Erectile dysfunction refers to the man’s inability to keep the erection firm. Problems with erection are not abnormal if they occur due to stress once in a while, but if it has become a regular thing, it can lead to many mental and physical health issues. Seek medical help if you notice:
- Difficulty keeping an erection
- Difficulty getting an erection
- Low sexual desire
The ability to get and keep an erection is often associated with hormones. It indicates low hormone levels, which can be why you cannot conceive. Fortunately, erectile dysfunction can be reversed with medication and therapies. Talk to your doctor about this problem to know if it’s the cause of your infertility.
6.Small and Swollen Testicles
The sperm is present in the testicles. So, if the testes are smaller than an average man’s testicles or swollen and firm, it could be the reason for infertility. Ideally, the length of the testicles is somewhere between 1.8 — 2 inches. Testicles smaller than 1.4 inches are considered small. If your sperm count and quality are alright, and your other test reports for fertility are also normal, your doctor may recommend an ultrasound to measure your testicle size.
Testicles are responsible for producing male hormones testosterone, which is responsible for giving you male characteristics and increasing your sex drive. Any problem with testicles can affect your ability to get pregnant. So, if you are wondering why can’t I get my girlfriend pregnant, this can be the reason.
The Bottom Line
Signs of infertility also indicate other medical conditions, and a clinical evaluation is necessary (3). It’s best to visit a gynecologist and discuss your symptoms with them to identify the cause of infertility and figure out the most suitable treatment.