Planning a pregnancy can be exciting and frustrating at the same time. Getting pregnant in itself is a complicated task, the factors of which might not be in your control.
Approximately 1 in 8 women have fertility issues.
Most of them realize that only after it has been confirmed by a fertility specialist. However, there are certain signs by which your body tries to signal fertility issues.
Let’s take a look at 5 unexpected signs of infertility:
Irregular Periods
An irregular menstrual cycle is one of the major signs of infertility. The normal woman’s cycle is 28 days long, which can last from 21 to 35 days. However, the cycle should be consistent. If you have irregular periods, it will be almost impossible to know the next cycle. The reason behind this can be Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), hyperprolactinemia or thyroid hyper and hypofunction. All of these can lead to infertility. Another cause of concern is intermittent bleeding or spotting. This can be a result of a structural issue like infection, fibroid, or polyp.
Milky Discharge From Breasts
If you are not breastfeeding or even pregnant and you see a milky substance coming out of your breasts, it might be a sign of high prolactin levels. This is a hormone responsible for signalling the body to make breast milk. Increased levels of prolactin in the body can disrupt the production of sex hormones. It can lead to a lack of ovulation or weak ovulation causing infertility. The reason behind this high prolactin level can be a benign tumour or a thyroid issue.
Coarse hair
If you have dark and coarse hairs on your lip, throat, chin, and tummy, they might be more than just an annoying characteristic. They might be the cause of an underlying condition known as Polycystic Ovary Syndrome or PCOS. It is a very common hormonal disorder that can cause infertility. For treating this, hormonal birth control like a patch, pill, or vagina ring can be used for restoring the hormonal imbalance. So, if you see any new hair growth on your body or face, visit your doctor and take things under control.
Pelvic Pain
If you have excruciating pain while going to the bathroom or having sex, it can be a symptom of endometriosis. This is a condition in which the inner lining of the uterus starts to grow outside the fallopian tubes and the ovaries. This distorts the anatomy, changes the tube’s function, and decreases the uterus functionality to the embryo resulting in infertility. All of this will lead to a dull, sharp, stabbing, and crampy pelvic pain that could strike at any random time.
Hot Flashes
If you are experiencing hot flashes where you feel a sudden warmth enveloping your body, it might be a sign of perimenopause or premature menopause. The usual age for menopause is about 50 years. However, in some cases, it can occur much earlier. If early menopause runs in your family, your chances will be higher. Menopause marks the end of fertile years. To treat it, early diagnosis and treatment are required.
If you have doubts or questions, please do share them with us in the comments below. We will have them answered for you. We want to be there to help you every step of the way
Mansi Zaveri
KSP Team
Parul Gupta
