Symptoms of Infertility in Women

Symptoms of infertility in women include:

A year of trying to get pregnant without success.

• Irregular menstrual cycles – This symptom may or may not be associated with infertility; some women with this condition will conceive without difficulty.
• Pain with sexual intercourse – This symptom may or may not be associated with infertility; some women with this condition will conceive without difficulty. Painful intercourse has a long list of etiologies, most have nothing to do with infertility.
• Inability to conceive after having unprotected sex
• Recurrent spontaneous abortion

How to Control Infertility in Women

Maintain an Adequate Body Weight

Women who are very thin, as well as those who are substantially overweight, may have fertility problems. Low body weight alters hormonal function and can cause anovulation (not having ovulation) and amenorrhea (the absence of a menstrual period). Being overweight can also alter hormonal levels and can lead to irregular men [by:] strings.

Before attempting to change your weight, you should consider your health care professional, who may recommend a referral to a dietitian. Dietitians are trained health professionals who can help you determine which weight range is right for you and the best plan to reach that weight. When you become pregnant, eating a healthy and balanced diet in the months before pregnancy can help support a healthy pregnancy.

Stop Smoking

Avoid Excess Alcohol

Drinking chronically and abundantly affects ovarian function negatively and can lead to irregular menstrual cycles, loss of ovulation, and cessation of menstruation. Even moderate drinking (five or fewer drinks a week) has been associated with reduced conception rates and an increased risk of spontaneous abortion. Remember that drinking any amount during pregnancy increases the likelihood of birth defects.

Plan Sexual Activity According to Ovulation

Conception is more likely to occur when you have sex in the days surrounding ovulation. You can find out when you are ovulating by taking your body temperature (at rest, when you wake up first) and recording it on a table. Its temperature drops just before ovulation, and then increases in ovulation and remains elevated during the second half of its cycle and throughout pregnancy. Consider buying an ovulation calendar to help you calculate your ovulation times. There are also equipment available in pharmacies that predict ovulation by examining your urine to detect the increase in LH hormone that occurs just before ovulation.

Control Stress and Depression

Depression and high levels of stress hormones can affect ovarian function. Try to develop a system to control stress and depression, either through regular exercise, yoga, or satisfying entertainment activities. To help reduce mental and emotional stress in your life, consider learning relaxation exercises, yoga or tai chi, or talking to a counselor about stressful problems or relationships in your life. Talk with your health care professional about which stress management options may be best for you, and request a referral to a stress management program.

When to Contact Your Healthcare Professional

• If you are not sure if you need to increase or lose weight
• If you need help with:
  • Design a balanced healthy diet
  • Quit smoking
  • Refrain from alcohol
  • Determine when Ovulation occurs during your cycles
  • Depression or other mood disorders