Not being able to become pregnant when you are ready to start a family can leave you feeling bewildered (Why can’t I get pregnant?) and depressed (Why me?). Sometimes, irregular periods or painful menstrual cramps may be a sign that you might have infertility issues, but often there are no signs except that your attempts to get pregnant are unsuccessful.
Here are 7 possible reasons for infertility:
- You haven’t given yourself enough time: If you are below 35 years of age, give yourself at least a year to get pregnant. For those above 35, doctors recommend 6 months of trying by natural methods to become pregnant before you seek professional medical help.
- You are not ovulating: The most common cause for anovulation is PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome). Other causes for not ovulating include being overweight, underweight, thyroid dysfunction, or even high stress levels.
- The problem is with the male partner: In 30% of the cases of infertility, the problem lies with the man. Male infertility is usually only detected by semen analysis.
- The biological clock: Fertility peaks for most women in their 20s and starts steadily declining for then onwards. After the age of 35, fertility declines very rapidly with a woman in her 40s having just a 5% chance of getting pregnant in any given month.
- Blocked fallopian tubes: The sperm and the ovary meet inside the fallopian tube where fertilization takes place. If there is any blockage in your tubes, you may not be able to get pregnant. A fertility test is needed to determine if your fallopian tubes are open.
- Endometriosis: This is a condition in which the tissue that normally lines the inside of the uterus grows outside the uterus. About 50% of women with endometriosis will have infertility issues.
- Unexplained causes: In about a third of the cases of infertility, an underlying cause may not be found. However, even in such instances you may benefit from fertility treatments.
It is a good idea to consult a fertility specialist sooner rather than later if you suspect you might be dealing with infertility as your age does play a critical role in ensuring a positive fertility treatment outcome.
ReproMed fertility clinics are located throughout Dallas, Grapevine, McKinney, Rockwall and in Tyler, Texas, giving patients convenient access to experienced, knowledgeable, and compassionate reproductive health specialists. Contact us for an appointment today.