Signs and Symptoms of Female Infertility: What You Need to Know

Reviewed By: Dr. Maunica Sorakayalapeta at Ferty9 Fertility Clinic, LB Nagar, Hyderabad

What is Female Infertility?

Infertility is the inability to conceive even after a year of trying (six months if the woman is over 35). Female infertility can be caused by various conditions, including age, medical challenges, hormonal issues, and lifestyle or environmental factors. Women with many miscarriages are also considered to have infertility. Problems with egg production account for the majority of female infertility cases. Female infertility can bring psychological, physical, emotional, spiritual, and medical complications to the patient and their family.

What Causes Female Infertility?

The World Health Organization (WHO) performed an elaborate worldwide investigation to identify gender distribution and infertility causes. The results showed that female infertility was the cause in 30% of infertile couples; in 10% of couples, both male and female factors were found; and male factor infertility occurred in 30%, unexplained etiology in 10% and other causes in 5%. According to the same study, the most prevalent identified causes of female infertility are as follows:

Causes for infertility	Percentage affected
Ovulatory disorder	25 %
Endometriosis	15%
Pelvic adhesion	12%
Tubal blockage	11%
Other tubal/uterine abnormalities	11%
Hyperprolactinemia	7%

As a woman ages, her chances of infertility increase. Ovulatory abnormalities account for 25% of the recognized causes of female infertility. Oligo-ovulation, also known as anovulation, causes infertility since no oocytes are released monthly, and hence, there is no chance of fertilization

or pregnancy. The second most predominant cause of infertility is endometriosis, which is described as endometrial tissue seen outside the uterine cavity and affects 10% to 15% of reproductive-age women. Endometriosis is usually found in the pelvis, although it can extend across the abdomen. Female infertility is mostly caused by pelvic and tubal adhesions, as well as uterine and tubal abnormalities. Uterine causes of infertility have been associated with either space-occupying lesions or decreased endometrial receptivity, which results in infertility.

Common Signs and Symptoms of Female Infertility

Infertility is characterized by the prolonged inability to conceive. The following are the symptoms associated with female infertility:

Irregular Menstrual Cycles

On average, a menstrual cycle lasts 28-30 days. Inconsistent cycles or skipping a cycle prevent us from determining the period's date. A menstrual cycle that lasts more than 35 days or less than 21 days may be abnormal, and this might be due to PCOS or hormonal disorders.

Suggested Read: Four Phases of Menstrual Cycle

Painful or Heavy Periods

Many women get cramps for a day or two during their periods. This is often manageable. However, some women may experience really severe cramps that interfere with their everyday activities. They may also experience higher-than-normal blood flow. This can't be overlooked because it might be an indication of endometriosis. Endometriosis may lead to anatomic deformities, such as pelvic scarring, which can result in infertility.

Changes in Basal Body Temperature

Basal body temperature (BBT), measured throughout the course of a menstrual cycle, has been used to detect whether or not ovulation occurred. Shortly after ovulation, progesterone, a steroid hormone, becomes the primary factor for the rise in basal body temperature by 0.5 to 1 degree F. For decades, women have been using basal body temperature monitoring to plan the timing of intercourse during a fertile window. Changes in basal body temperature usually happen during every menstrual cycle, and the absence of this BBT can bring about fertility issues indicative of the absence of ovulation.

Pelvic Pain or Painful Intercourse

Ideally, sex should be painless. During intercourse, pain may be brought on by underlying medical disorders, such as:

Fibroids
Endometriosis
Problems with the cervix and uterus
Sexually transmitted diseases
Pelvic inflammatory disease

Hormonal Changes

Several kinds of hormonal changes/imbalances affect fertility. These include Thyroid hormone (TH), Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), Progesterone and luteinizing hormone, and Prolactin - luteotropic hormone. Symptoms of hormone imbalance include:

Acne and skin problems
The development of facial hair
Thinning hair on the scalp
Nipple discharge
Unexplained weight gain or weight loss
Cold feet and hands
Reduced sexual desire

Suggested Read: Role of Hormones in Fertility

Specific Conditions and Symptoms of Female Infertility

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a prevalent condition affecting women's ovaries. PCOS has three main features:

Irregular periods
Excess androgen (Male hormones)
Polycystic ovaries: your ovaries get larger and contain numerous fluid-filled sacs (follicles).

In PCOS, these sacs are frequently unable to release an egg, which blocks the process of ovulation. PCOS symptoms often appear in your late teens or early twenties.

Endometriosis

Endometriosis is a condition in which tissue resembling the uterine lining develops outside the uterus. It can cause significant pelvic discomfort and make it difficult to become pregnant. Some people experience discomfort during intercourse or when using the restroom. Endometriosis has an impact on bowel movement and/or urination, stomach bloating, nausea, exhaustion, and, in rare cases, depression, anxiety, and infertility.

Age-Related Infertility Signs in Women

Age is the most critical factor influencing a woman's fertility. Her eggs age along with her, decreasing in quality and number. A woman in her early to mid-twenties has a 25-30% probability of becoming pregnant each month. Fertility normally begins to fall gradually in a woman's early 30s, and it accelerates beyond the age of 35. By age 40, the chances of becoming pregnant are around 5%.

Suggested Read: The Impact Of Age On Fertility

Lifestyle Factors and Infertility

Lifestyle factors are modifiable habits and lifestyle choices that can have a significant impact on general health and well-being, including fertility. Lifestyle factors, such as

Nutrition
Exercise
Weight
Psychological stress
Environmental and occupational exposures
Smoking and drug usage
Alcohol and caffeine consumption

The above factors can have a negative impact on fertility. Women can alter their lifestyle patterns to improve their reproductive health.

Lifestyle Options to support female infertility treatment

When to Consult a Specialist?

It is important to consult a fertility specialist if you encounter the following conditions:

You are 35 years of age or older
You have no period, irregular periods, or heavy bleeding
You've had many miscarriages
You have been trying to conceive for more than a year
You have a chronic medical condition
You have a known reproductive issue

Treatment Options at Ferty 9

At Ferty9 Fertility Center, our mission is to provide best-in-class assisted fertility therapies while emphasizing safety, transparency, and compassionate care. Ferty9 promises best-in-class success rates with our dedicated team of specialists, advanced technologies, and evidence-based practices. Advanced techniques such as Intrauterine insemination (IUI), In Vitro Fertilization (IVF), Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI), and Preimplantation Genetic Testing (PGT) are carried out successfully at Ferty9 Fertility Center for fertility issues.

Conclusion

In recent years, infertility concerns among women have increased dramatically owing to a variety of circumstances. Thanks to advancements in the medical world, advanced treatments like Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART) assist couples in fulfilling their dream of having a baby. Since 2013, Ferty9 Fertility Center has excelled in infertility treatments and has been equipped with recent technologies to ensure best-in-class success rates and serve as a hope for happiness for thousands of families.

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Signs and Symptoms of Female Infertility: What You Need to Know

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FAQ's

Is recurrent miscarriage a sign of infertility?

Recurrent pregnancy loss is not the same thing as infertility. While Repeated pregnancy loss (RPL) may not directly influence fertility, it can induce mental discomfort and worry, which may have an indirect impact on a couple's attempt to conceive. Seeking adequate medical and emotional support is critical for overcoming the problems of recurrent loss and achieving fertility treatment objectives, especially in addressing infertility problems in females.

What are the signs of blocked fallopian tubes?

A woman suffering from fallopian tube obstruction may have difficulty conceiving. Women with obstructed fallopian tubes may have symptoms such as discomfort in the pelvis or abdomen, as well as pain throughout their menstrual cycle.

How does weight affect fertility in women?

This can disturb hormone balance, resulting in reduced fertility. The amount and distribution of body fat influence the menstrual cycle via a variety of hormonal pathways. The more body weight and belly fat, the higher the chance of infertility.

What role does stress play in female infertility?

High cortisol levels can disrupt hormone balance, especially for reproductive hormones like progesterone and estrogen. An imbalance in hormones may disrupt ovulation and menstrual cycles, making conception more challenging. Stress can also cause unusual menstrual periods.

Can previous surgeries affect my fertility?

Surgeries are unlikely to have an impact on fertility and often do not interact with the reproductive organs. But scar tissue, or adhesions, resulting from any type of surgery can obstruct the fallopian tubes, which can cause infertility.