Understanding Female Infertility: Common Signs and Symptoms

Infertility is a condition defined as the inability to become pregnant. For women, an infertility diagnosis comes after one year of trying to get pregnant if you’re younger than 35 or six months of trying to get pregnant if you’re older than 35. There are two types of infertility: primary and secondary. Primary infertility means you’ve never been pregnant and can’t get pregnant. Secondary infertility occurs when you can’t get pregnant again after previously having a successful pregnancy and live birth.

Signs and Causes of Female Infertility

The most common sign of female infertility is the inability to become pregnant even after having regular, unprotected sex. Other signs may include absent or irregular periods. Common causes of female infertility include:

• Problems with the uterus: Polyps, fibroids, or uterine scarring
• Problems with the fallopian tubes: Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), untreated sexually transmitted infections (STIs), or endometriosis
• Problems with ovulation: Hormonal imbalance, thyroid conditions, previous substance abuse or eating disorders
• Problems with egg count and quality: Low egg count or eggs with the wrong number of chromosomes

Most cases of female infertility stem from problems with ovulation due to conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) or primary ovarian insufficiency (POI).

Female Infertility Risk Factors

Many factors can heighten the risk of female fertility — ranging from health conditions to lifestyle choices. Specific risk factors include:

• Age
• Hormone conditions, including PCOS
• Being overweight or underweight
• Endometriosis
• Structural problems
• An abnormal menstrual cycle
• Autoimmune disorders
• Ovarian cysts, fibroids, or tumors
• STIs
• POI
• Excessive drug or alcohol use
• A past ectopic pregnancy

Female Infertility Testing

Infertility is common. About 9% of men and about 11% of women of reproductive age in the United States have experienced fertility problems. A fertility specialist can diagnose infertility and perform testing to diagnose the issue, such as a physical exam, a pelvic exam, or a pelvic ultrasound. Sometimes, the cause of infertility remains unknown, even after rigorous testing. 

Treating Female Infertility

Fortunately, there are many ways to address and treat female infertility. Common treatment methods include:

• Surgery to remove any blockages or scarring
• Fertility medication
• Antibiotics to remove an infection from the reproductive organs
• Properly tracking ovulation
• Intrauterine insemination (IUI)
• In vitro fertilization (IVF)
• Surrogacy

Finding Reliable Fertility Care

Female infertility can create stress and uncertainty for aspiring parents hoping to grow their families. If you’re having trouble conceiving and suspect female infertility, it’s important to consult a reputable fertility clinic for diagnosis and treatment. The Prelude Network is the largest and fastest-growing network of fertility centers in North America, and we can help connect you with an expert team in your area. Contact us today for more information or to request a consultation.