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What Are The Signs That Tells You Need To See A Fertility Doctor

By on February 8, 2023

Infertility effects about 15% of couples of reproductive age globally. According to WHO it is estimated that all over prevalence of infertility in our country India is in between 3.9 – 16.8%.

What Is Infertility?

Infertility may be defined as the disease in which the reproductive system fails to achieve a clinical pregnancy even after 12 months of unprotected regular intercourse. In our article, not only we will learn about different causes of primary infertility but also about, the signs that tells the need to see a fertility doctor. What Are The Signs That Tells You Need To See A Fertility Doctor

Infertility is a medical condition that causes physical, mental, psychological and medical detriments to the patients. The condition affects both the patient and its partner as a couple. Both male infertility and female infertility is an important part of infertility discussion.

Understanding infertility helps the health care system to work properly and counsel the patients to provide them with basic education and understanding of this condition.

What Are The Common Factors of Female Infertility?

The common causes of female infertility includes endometriosis, ovulatory disorders, pelvic adhesions, tubal blockage, hyperprolactinemia, ovulatory disorders and other uterine and tubal abnormalities.

What Are The Common Causes Of Male Infertility?

Commonly identified causes of male infertility includes sperm disorders, varicoceles, hormonal dysfunction, retrograde ejaculation, obstruction, immunologic infertility and certain medications such as medicines given to treat depression, digestive problems,  infections, high blood pressure, arthritis, etc.

Causes Of Female Infertility

For pregnancy to happen every step of reproduction should be correct. The steps include:
Ovaries releasing a mature egg, egg being picked by the fallopian tube, sperm swims up to the cervix into the fallopian tube in order to reach the egg for fertilization. The fertilized egg then travel to fallopian tube and get attached to the inside of the uterus and develops.

In a female there are number of factors that may be disrupted at any step in this process. Female infertility may be caused due to ovulation disorders, damage to fallopian tube or tubal infertility, endometriosis and other uterine and cervical causes such as fibroid in uterus or cervical stenosis.
In some cases the cause of infertility in female is never found. reason behind several – factors in both the partners explain infertility. However, in most of the cases either the problem correct itself the time for treatment helps.

What Are The Risk Factors In Females That Increases The Risk Of Infertility?

The quantity and quality of the egg in female declines with the age. The rate of follicle loss speeds in mid 30s resulting in poor quality egg and make conception difficult increasing the chances of miscarriage. Besides age smoking, weight gain and alcohol consumption also increases the risk of infertility in female.

Signs that tells you you need to see a fertility doctor

If you are planning to have a baby but haven’t got pregnant even after having regular sex for a year without using any protection or if you are above 35 years and plans to have a baby it’s time for you to see a doctor.
Below are some signs that suggests that you need to see a fertility doctor:

  1. You do not have a regular menstrual cycle – If your period is irregular, you need a fertility specialist. Irregular periods may be due to hormonal disorders which is common cause of infertility.
  2. Experiencing pelvic pain – Bad pain during menstrual cycle may be a sign of endometriosis that need proper diagnosis improve your chances of conceiving.
  3. History of sexually transmitted disease – Sexually transmitted infections increases the risk of infertility and impacts your chances of conceiving. For example Gonorrhea and chlamydia infection if left untreated may lead to pelvic inflammatory diseases and can cause permanent damage to your fallopian tubes and uterus making it hard for you to get pregnant.
  4. Having repeated miscarriages – Although 10 to 20% of early pregnancy ends in miscarriage but repeated miscarriage is a sign that you need to see fertility specialist before planning. A fertility specialist works to identify the specific cause and treats you to improve your chances of pregnancy.
  5. Certain health conditions – A female who has gone through chemotherapy, radiotherapy or pelvic surgery due to certain chronic conditions such as uterine fibroid or cancer is at the risk of infertility.

You may need to consult a fertility specialist for any of the above signs. A fertility expert offers broad range of strategies and treatment to achieve your fertility goals and empowers you to plan family.

References: 

  1. https://www.nhp.gov.in/disease/reproductive-system/infertility
  2. https://www.healthcentral.com/
  3. https://www.mayoclinic.org/
  4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK556033/
  5. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/

Dr. Ritu Kumari Gupta
Dr. Ritu Kumari Gupta:  Professionally a homeopathic doctor and a dietician Dr. Ritu Kumari Gupta is passionate about writing health and parenting blogs. She believes in holistic approach towards health and well being.
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