Females experiencing fertility challenges may have a range of symptoms stemming from the underlying cause. Several common symptoms include irregular menstrual cycles, painful menstrual cramps, or pain during sex.
Some underlying conditions that can affect fertility include polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and endometriosis. Other factors include a person’s age and lifestyle factors.
This article explores the key symptoms and possible causes of female fertility challenges.
A note about sex and gender
Sex and gender exist on spectrums. This article will use the terms “male,” “female,” or both to refer to sex assigned at birth. Click here to learn more.
Healthcare professionals recognize infertility as the inability to conceive after
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While some people may have no symptoms of fertility challenges, some females may have several symptoms.
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Irregular menstrual cycles can be a common symptom among females having trouble getting pregnant.
Menstrual cycles typically range from 21 to 35 days, with no more than 2 to 3 days of variance from cycle to cycle. Doctors may consider any significant change in this pattern irregular.
Irregularities can include variations in the length of each cycle and the frequency and predictability of the periods.
These disruptions can indicate ovulation problems such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) or primary ovarian insufficiency (POI), which affect a female’s ability to conceive.
Ovulation disorders are one of the
Abnormal hair growth on the face or other body parts where males typically grow hair is related to hormonal imbalances that may affect fertility.
This condition, which medical professionals refer to as hirsutism, results from disorders such as PCOS, which is a
Acne on the face, upper back, and chest is also related to hormonal disturbances from PCOS and may be a symptom of fertility problems.
Weight fluctuations may
Weight fluctuations can also link to thyroid dysfunction, which can also affect ovulation and the ability to get pregnant.
Excess weight can be related to insulin resistance, which can lead to PCOS. On the other hand, being underweight can cause the body to stop producing estrogen, a hormone that is necessary for reproduction.
Pain is a common symptom related to various reasons for infertility. Possible pain symptoms can include:
- painful period cramps
- pain during intercourse
- chronic pelvic pain
These pain symptoms may indicate underlying conditions such as endometriosis, adenomyosis, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), or uterine fibroids, which all affect the ability to conceive.
Having digestive problems along with fertility issues may be a sign of an underlying health condition affecting reproductive health, such as endometriosis.
Digestive symptoms of endometriosis can include:
Having strong-smelling vaginal discharge can be a sign of an infection of the vagina, which
Infections of the vagina cause PID and can occur due to many types of bacteria.
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) such as chlamydia and gonorrhea often cause PID, but naturally occurring vaginal bacteria can also cause an infection.
PID can cause damage or scarring to the fallopian tubes, which can affect a female’s ability to get pregnant naturally.
Douching puts a person at higher risk of developing a vaginal infection. It is a practice healthcare professionals do not recommend.
Female infertility can stem from a variety of causes, sometimes with complex interactions between hormones, health conditions, and the structure of the reproductive organs.
Causes may include:
- PCOS: A hormonal disorder that can cause irregular or infrequent periods and ovulation.
- Endometriosis: The growth of endometrial tissue outside the uterus that can cause inflammation, pain, and scarring.
- Damaged ovarian tubes: Damaged or blocked fallopian tubes can prevent the egg and sperm from meeting to form an embryo.
- Uterine fibroids: Benign tumors that grow in the uterus that can affect a person’s ability to get pregnant.
- POI: Premature ovarian insufficiency is when the ovaries stop making adequate amounts of reproductive hormones and eggs to allow for pregnancy.
- Cervical or uterine abnormalities: Problems with the structure of the uterus or cervix can prevent a female from conceiving.
- Age: The quality and quantity of eggs decrease with age, and this happens more rapidly after the age of 35.
- Lifestyle factors: Things like smoking, cannabis use, excessive alcohol intake, obesity, and an unbalanced diet may affect fertility.
Couples could seek medical advice about infertility if they have been unable to get pregnant after
However, females over 35 years may see a healthcare professional after six months of trying without getting pregnant.
It is also a good idea to seek medical care if a female is experiencing symptoms of an underlying disorder that affects fertility.
If a healthcare professional diagnoses a female with infertility, several treatments are available depending on the underlying cause.
Medications
Several medications help boost female fertility. Most of them affect ovulation by stimulating the ovulation cycles or regulating the reproductive hormones.
Intrauterine insemination (IUI)
IUI is a type of fertility treatment people commonly refer to as artificial insemination. During the procedure, a doctor places sperm inside a female’s uterus around the time of her ovulation.
The doctor may sometimes prescribe medications to help stimulate ovulation before IUI.
The procedure is most common with unexplained fertility problems or females who have issues with their cervical mucus.
Assisted reproductive technology
Several types of assisted reproductive technology are available to aid in conception.
- In vitro fertilization (IVF): An egg is removed from the female and fertilized outside the body before being implanted into the uterus.
- Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI): A specialist injects sperm into an egg and then transfers it into the uterus.
- Third-party reproduction: This option includes several possibilities, including using an egg or sperm donor, or surrogate to carry the fetus.
Surgery
Surgery is an option for females who have structural abnormalities of their reproductive organs that a surgeon can likely correct.
This section answers some frequently asked questions about fertility challenges in females.
What drugs can cause infertility in females?
Several drugs can either temporarily or permanently affect a female’s fertility.
The most common recreational drugs that can impact female fertility are smoking (including tobacco, cigarettes, nicotine, and vaping) and cannabis or CBD/THC products in
Examples of medications that can affect fertility include chemotherapy drugs, radiation, and hormonal contraceptives.
It is a good idea to consult a doctor if a person is considering becoming pregnant. They will be able to advise which medications affect fertility. They can also provide support in quitting the use of recreational drugs, such as tobacco, to increase a person’s fertility.
How do you test if a woman is infertile?
Healthcare professionals determine there are fertility problems when a couple tries to conceive for 12 months and does get pregnant (or six months for women over 35 years of age).
To determine fertility, health professionals may order several tests to check hormone levels, diagnostic imaging to check the reproductive organs, and an ovulation test.
Why can I get pregnant but can’t stay pregnant?
Recurrent pregnancy loss or recurrent miscarriages may occur for a variety of reasons, including genetic abnormalities of the embryo, uterine or cervical abnormalities, clotting disorders, hormonal imbalances, and more. Sometimes, the reason is unknown.
If a female is experiencing recurrent pregnancy loss, it is a good idea to seek medical advice for evaluation and accurate diagnosis.
Women experiencing infertility problems may have symptoms related to the underlying condition causing the infertility.
Some common symptoms include irregular menstrual cycles, frequent pain, abnormal hair growth, and weight fluctuations.
Infertility has many causes, ranging from disorders that cause hormone imbalances, inflammation, or structural abnormalities of the reproductive organs. Other fertility factors may relate to the female’s age and lifestyle choices.
Several treatments are available for fertility, including medications, assisted reproductive technology, and surgery.