Getting pregnant is not easy for many couples. Some couples try for years without success and watch from the side lines as their friends and families have children of their own. There are many factors that make infertility a pressing issue for some and not others. The age of the woman and her partner, missed periods, diabetes, miscarriages, low sperm count, mothers that took DES, and fibroids tumors. If you are trying to get pregnant and cannot, don’t ask do I need to see a fertility specialist. Contact a fertility specialist and get the help you need.
Your Periods are Irregular
If you get your period every 21 days or after 35 days this shows an ovulatory disorder. This condition can be treated with medications. If you skip your period some months this is another sign of infertility. When you’re not trying to get pregnant an irregular period is not a problem. When you are it might mean you have endometriosis, or polycystic ovarian syndrome. These diseases contribute on infertility.
When you have regular periods it helps you to figure out when you’re ovulating. Irregular periods make this hard. Most women ovulate about 12 to 14 days before their period. Ovulation is the best time to conceive. Painful periods could affect your fertility if they are caused by fibroids, and other complications. When the uterine lining grows into the wall of the uterus this causes cramps and heavy bleeding. It is called andenomyosis. Periods that suddenly stop are another symptom to check out.
Cervical Causes of Infertility
Some women suffer from a condition where sperm cannot pass through the cervical canal. Often this is because of excessive mucus production or having had cervical surgery. If you have had cervical surgery and are trying to get pregnant and cannot infertility may be the cause. If you get frequent infections and excessive mucus discharge this could be a sign that you should see a doctor. Frequent infections would signal a medical problem.
You Have Had 2 or More Miscarriages
Many women that have miscarriages go on to have healthy babies. They are often caused by hormonal imbalances and other conditions. Your doctor can run tests to rule out infertility issues. It might be thyroid issues, the shape of the uterus, or other problems. After a miscarriage, a doctor will want you to rest for four to six weeks, eliminate stress, eat healthy, and avoid infection.
Treatments that they may provide are a fertility cleanse that supports the liver and uterus. They may have you use an ovulation predictor so you can determine the best time to conceive. Often the doctor will prescribe a fertility drug that will help you get pregnant.
You Suffer From Diabetes
Type 1 and 2 Diabetes often affect fertility because your blood glucose level may be too high. About 2.4 of women diagnosed withdiabetes are in their child bearing years. Women with diabetes may get pregnant but the high glucose keeps the embryo from implanting itself in the uterus causing a miscarriage. This often happens even before she knows she is pregnant. High glucose levels increase a woman’s chance of miscarriage by 30 to 60%. Even when women with diabetes get pregnant they have risks of birth defects or a larger baby. High glucose affects hormone levels which are important during pregnancy.
Diabetes in men can cause problems with sperm count and causing miscarriage in their partner. Both partners should be checked for diabetes when trying to have children. The key to success is having a doctor help you with diet and controlling the diabetes.
You’re Both Over 35
Both of you are older and have been trying to conceive for over a year. Both men and women as they age suffer from fertility problems. Fertility in women peaks in your 20’s and declines in the 30’s. Between 30-35 there is a big drop off. Even men over 40 decline in their ability to produce healthy sperm and have a high sperm count. A doctor can test both of you and provide treatments they may help you conceive.
The Woman Has Had Endometriosis or PCOS
Endometriosis causes heavy bleeding and cramps. This happens when tissue that lines the uterus grows outside. This tissue ends up on the fallopian tubes, ovaries and connective tissue that hold organs. It can be found in the vagina, cervix, bowels ,and rectum. Signs are spotting between periods, chronic pain in pelvis or back, and chronic bloating. Many women with the condition are prescribed fertility drugs. Those with severe complications often get IVF or in vitro fertilization.
PCOS can cause a hormone imbalance and insulin resistance which lead to infertility in women. The hormones in the woman’s body produce extra androgen. This leads to problems with ovulation or no ovulation. It can cause excessive hair growth and acne. It is a male hormone. Signs are lack of a regular period, heavy bleeding, acne, hair growth, diabetes, and cysts. Often it is treated with medications by the doctor.
These are signs you need to see a fertility specialist. Doctors will find many ways to treat infertility symptoms in different patients. There are medications, surgery, and lifestyle changes. Don’t let infertility ruin your chances of having children seek help by seeing a specialist.