Common signs and symptoms of Infertility In MEN and WOMEN

Did you know that there are some glaring symptoms and signs of infertility that you can actually rectify even before you decide to start a family? The problem with most couples is that they don’t want to deal with the bridges early on; they wait until they get there. And sometimes, if not always they may be running against time when they actually get there. Keeping this is mind, it makes sense to take a note of these early signs of infertility that throw up, consult and get an “All ok” from your doctor so that whenever you try to get pregnant, conceiving is not a problem.

Infertility symptoms can manifest in various ways, making it essential for both men and women to recognize early signs. For women, irregular menstrual cycles, severe cramping, and abnormal bleeding could indicate underlying reproductive health issues. Additionally, symptoms like unexplained weight gain, hormonal imbalances, and persistent acne might signal infertility symptoms women should be aware of. Understanding these changes can help in seeking timely medical advice.

For men, infertility symptoms often go unnoticed until they try to conceive. A decline in sperm quality, erectile dysfunction, or reduced libido are key infertility symptoms for men. Other warning signs include pain or swelling in the testicles, difficulty maintaining an erection, or hormonal deficiencies that affect sperm production. Addressing these symptoms early through lifestyle changes and medical intervention can improve reproductive health.

Most couples try for a year at most and when they can’t get pregnant despite their efforts with unprotected sex, they panic. As already mentioned earlier, watch out and stay alert early on. Here are some of the early signs of infertility or signs of not being able to conceive:

Common Signs & Symptoms of Infertility in Men and Women

The key to dodge infertility is to be prepared about it. Know the signs, take preventive steps and move towards happy family completely stress-free. A lot of infertility cases are triggered by lifestyle issues.

Monthly Cycle of Periods

This is perhaps the best indicator of infertility in women early on. Anything unusual—heavy, light, irregular/ no periods at all, brown spotting prior to onset, extremely painful (not to be confused with regular cramps that are painful as well) are all symptoms that something’s fishy. Periods are connected very closely to ovulation and any irregularity or absence of ovulation only complicates your chances of getting pregnant. Even if you are not married, you must consult a gynecologist to understand and root out the problem.

Hair Loss/ Growth of Hair in Unusual Places/Acne

All of these are glaring symptoms of PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome) that you may have heard of frequently. Though hair loss or acne could be a result of auto-immune disease or thyroid malfunction, it is also accounted as one of the glaring symptoms of PCOS so don’t neglect it. Similarly, when you notice unusual facial and body hair growth, it is an indication of over-production of androgens, another clear indicator of PCOS; you must visit your doctor to start medication immediately.

Overweight/Underweight

Some women might notice that without any significant alterations in the diet or lifestyle, they are gaining weight. And for others it could be just the opposite. These could be signs of fluctuations in the thyroid level or PCOS as well and need to be attended to immediately.

Poor Gut Health or Digestive System

Strange, but true, many doctors also specifically indicate that gut health plays an important role in fertility. If you have frequent irritable bowel syndrome, bloating and discomfort, leaky bowel syndrome, gut dysbiosis, all these could be early warning signs. Esterobolome, the gut bacterial genes plays an important role in metabolizing estrogen. If this is not brought under control, it increases estrogen in the gut which might be responsible for infertility later.

Premature Aging

If you are in your 30s but experience signs of biological aging like sagging breasts, dryness in the vagina, hair loss, brittle nails, these could be the first warning signs of infertility. These might (not definitely) mean that the quality and quantity of  eggs is decreasing. Meet a reproductive endocrinologist and get hormones checked. There are some tests like AMH, TSH, FSH, Hbetc that you must undergo before planning a baby.

Decreased Sex Drive (in both men and women)

Stress or depression causes decreased sex drive. There is no harm in meeting a psychologist to talk it out. While a little stress is normal and is absolutely ok, more of it can be harmful. Alternatively you can also try Naturopathy for a quick-fix on stress. Take a vacation!

In women PCOS can reduce sexual drive and make having regular intercourse extremely painful. Among men, changes in virility could mean hormonal fluctuations too and therefore might be linked to infertility.

Testicle Pain or Small, firm testicles

Pain or swelling in the testicles could be attributed to many factors, but one of them could be infertility. Moreover, since testis houses the sperm, small or firm testicles could indicate issues that might make it difficult to impregnate. 

Problems with erection/ejaculation

Erectile dysfunction or inability to ejaculate is linked to hormonal imbalance. Therefore it needs medical intervention early on. Azoospermia is another male infertility problem which is on the rise these days. Check for that if there are early signs of erectile dysfunction.

Understand well the cause behind infertility and half the battle won. Keep a close eye on all the pointers prepare well for the next milestone of parenthood. Infertility doesn’t happen overnight. Being conscious and proactive and actually save a lot of time and unnecessary hassles at a later stage. These signs of infertility will at-least help you think in the right direction ensuring appropriate medical attention.

Recognizing infertility symptoms in both men and women is the first step toward finding effective solutions. If conception is taking longer than expected, consulting a fertility specialist can help diagnose potential causes. Simple tests can assess hormone levels, sperm count, and ovulation patterns, ensuring the right treatment plan is in place. Being aware of infertility symptoms can empower individuals to take proactive steps toward their reproductive well-being.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are the early infertility symptoms women should watch for?
Early infertility symptoms in women may include irregular periods, missed ovulation, excessive hair growth due to hormonal imbalances, and difficulty conceiving despite regular unprotected intercourse.

2. What are the common infertility symptoms for men?
Infertility symptoms for men include low sperm count, difficulty maintaining an erection, pain or swelling in the testicles, and hormonal imbalances that affect sperm production.

3. Can lifestyle changes help reduce infertility symptoms?
Yes, maintaining a healthy diet, reducing stress, exercising regularly, and avoiding smoking or excessive alcohol consumption can help improve fertility health and reduce infertility symptoms in both men and women.