Have you been trying to conceive unsuccessfully? Or, are you worried because your partner isn’t getting pregnant? Seeking medical support from infertility clinics might improve your situation. But what signs of infertility should you be looking for?

If you and your partner have had regular unprotected sex for up to six months to a year (depending on your age) and have not conceived, one or both of you could be infertile.

Infertility affects both men and women but, like its causes, the signs also vary with each case, and may not even be present. This condition is known as ‘idiopathic or unexplained infertility.’

Keep reading to see what signs and symptoms may point to infertility in men and women.

What Are the Common Symptoms and Signs of Infertility?

While many infertile couples have no symptoms, others signs will often be related to underlying conditions. For instance, between 10 and 15% of untreated sexually transmitted diseases often lead to PID, or pelvic inflammatory disease. That leads to a blockage of the fallopian tubes, preventing fertilization and conception. Pay attention to the crossovers of symptoms between infertility and other conditions.

Another major cause of infertility is age, which increases significantly when a woman is above 35 years old. Male sperm health and virility also decrease, though not as drastically.

Infertility can also be attributed to hormonal changes or obvious irregularities in your health. Here are five more common signs of infertility:

An Irregular Period

A human menstrual cycle is 28 days long, but it’s normal if yours is within a few days of 28. A regular cycle is consistent, whether it’s 33 days one month but 31 or 35 the next. But if you have trouble with your menstrual calendar or your periods last for longer than is normal, that’s an irregular cycle. That may be attributed to polycystic ovarian syndrome, PCOS, or other treatable hormonal imbalances, which cause infertility.

Changes in Sexual Desire

Your hormonal health is linked to your fertility. Low hormones govern changes in virility or waning of sexual desire. A reduced sex drive is also accompanied by thinning hair, skin issues, facial hair growth or loss, nipple discharge, or weight gain.

Anti-Sperm Antibodies

You or your partner could be unwittingly preventing pregnancy if they are producing sperm-killing antibodies. As the spermatozoa travel to the ovary, hormone-induced antibodies attack the semen, leaving a low number of abnormal sperm to necessitate conception.

Pain During Sex or Periods

It’s often a sign of infertility in women when they experience painful sex, as it could be related to hormonal issues or endometriosis. Other times, you’ll suffer painful periods beyond normal cramping, with nausea sometimes.

By itself, pain isn’t a sign of infertility; but combined with an irregular period, and with blood in stool or urine, pain may point to endometriosis.

Erectile Dysfunction

Besides tests for your sperm count or the presence of anti-sperm antibodies, infertility clinics also look at other causes in men. Erectile dysfunction (ED), or the inability to maintain an erection during sex, is a major problem for couples trying to conceive.

ED could be a result of injury, medication use, underlying health condition, recreational drugs, or psychological attributes.

What Should You Expect At Infertility Clinics?

Infertility clinics conduct tests to determine if you’re infertile, starting with an evaluation by a urologist and a physical exam. Answer honestly any questions about your medical history and lifestyle. Mention any medications you take, your exercise habits, smoking habits or any other drugs, and any surgeries.

Expect to have a frank discussion about your sexual activity. That includes any sexual infections or problems you’ve had. The doctor will then analyze your blood or seminal sample. These tests will vary and may include a sperm count analysis, hormone evaluation, or genetic screening.

Most couples trying unsuccessfully to conceive may (with good reason) think they are experiencing infertility. With advances in the medical field, overcoming infertility is more successful than ever before! Visit an infertility clinic to address your concerns and find and access the right treatment for you or your partner.