Infertility affects over 6 million American women of childbearing age. While the news of being infertile can be worrying, it does not mean you cannot have a baby. When detected early, Houston infertility specialists can create a specialized treatment plan to help you have a child depending on your unique needs. Therefore, it is critical to detect infertility as early as possible to get the help you need early enough. And because when you do not have children as a couple, one of you is infertile, here are some tips to help you tell if you are infertile.
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How Long Have You Tried to Conceive?
The conceiving period is critical in determining if you are infertile. If you have been using contraceptives, you should consult your doctor about when you should be worried about not conceiving if you stop using them. Generally, a fertile couple should conceive within one year. Therefore, if you have been trying to get pregnant for over a year without success, you should be worried and seek expert advice from your doctor about fertility. Note how often you have sex and note how long it takes for you to conceive. While you may not have conceived for over a year, it does not automatically mean you are infertile. You might only need some help, and everything will be okay.
Consider Your Age
Generally, your chances of conceiving begin to decrease when you attain age 30 as your eggs decrease in quantity and quality. Additionally, some health complications that are associated with aging may decrease your chances of conceiving. Your chance will decrease by about 3-5% after age 30, and it might reduce significantly after age 40. However, it does not mean you cannot have a child. Your provider will work with you to find out the best way to get pregnant.
Pay Attention to Any Menstrual Complications
Some problems you might experience during your periods can be indicators of infertility. Pay attention and report to your doctor the amount of bleeding you experience, the length of the period, normal cycle, and any abnormal symptoms you might experience during your periods. Your provider will detect when the issues are related to infertility and help you take the best approach to address them.
Consider Your Lifestyle and Habits
Certain habits such as smoking and eating unhealthy diets have been known to contribute to infertility. Tobacco and cigarettes cause hormonal imbalances and cause congenital fetal disabilities, miscarriages, and premature birth. Therefore, if you are trying to conceive unsuccessfully but you smoke, it might indicate the effects of smoking. Additionally, taking low nutrients and iron deficiency can affect your reproductive capability and can be the reason for your inability to conceive.
Evaluate Your Underlying Medical Conditions
Some health complications are notoriously known to contribute to infertility. Also, your body can produce anti-sperm antibodies that destroy the sperms preventing you from becoming pregnant. Primary ovarian insufficiency (POI), endometriosis, autoimmune disorders, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), hyperprolactinemia, and hypothalamic dysfunction are common complications known to cause infertility.
Although infertility is common, you have chances of conceiving once your condition is evaluated and understood. Reach out to Memorial Women’s Specialists today if you have been trying to get pregnant for over a year without success for expert fertility evaluation. Your provider will help you trace down why you are not conceiving and advise you accordingly.