7 Telltale signs of infertility in women

Risk Factors: 7 Symptoms that could be a sign of infertility in women

Lim Han

25 Apr 2017

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Abnormal flow
Is global warming taking a toll on your monthly Red Sea and triggering a drastic rise in sea levels? Well, global warming may not be the cause for this – endometriosis might. This refers to the occurrence of the tissue, which normally lines the inside of your uterus, growing outside of it. Serious complications like ovarian cysts may ensue, resulting in the inability to conceive. So, if your flow has significantly increased or decreased, you should consult your doctor.
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Pain during sex
While it’s not abnormal for this to happen during your first time, painful sex should not be a recurring experience. If engaging in sexual intercourse hurts for you, your body could be hinting at a deeper problem such as endometriosis or pelvic inflammatory diseases (PID). PID refers to the inflammation of your female genital tract which is usually caused by a sexually transmitted infection (STI) like chlamydia.
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Irregular periods
Irregular periods are nothing to worry about during the initial period of their appearances. But, if you’re still experiencing incongruous variations in the days between your periods every month, something’s up. Your uterus may be having trouble with ovulating, resulting in the irregular release of eggs, which would direly affect your level of fertility.
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No period
Now, as much as we would like to throw a party and celebrate the absence of the monthly unwanted annoyance, this is not something to rejoice about. The sudden cessation of your period is a sure sign that ovulation is not happening. No ovulation? Zero fertility. You might want to retract your party plans.
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Unexpected acne
Adult acne is not a pretty sight – and it probably doesn’t look pretty for your uterus as well. Dramatic changes in your skin condition could be an indicator of a shift in hormone levels or Polycistic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). Engendering the formation of cysts on your ovaries, PCOS could escalate into long-term infertility if it’s not promptly looked into.
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Hair loss
Is it raining hair wherever you go (especially after taking a shower)? Hair loss may be induced by stress and diet changes, but it could also be caused by the changes in levels of the male hormone, androgens, which is often associated with PCOS. Whatever it is, don’t take any chances and go to your doctor to get it checked out. You may have just saved your fertility in the nick of time.
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Sharp weight gain
If you haven’t been wolfing down Mars Bars or drinking soda like you would water, but you’re appalled by what you’re seeing on the weighing scale, hormone malfunctions may be the cause. This is a potential sign of PCOS, in which case, diets simply won’t do the trick.

Aspiring mothers, here’s what you should be looking out for.

Motherhood is easily one of the most enthralling journeys any woman can embark on – from the labour experience to your child’s graduation from high school, every stage promises to be a whirlwind of an experience.

That said, entering the world of motherhood is easier said than done. Many women find themselves plagued with the problem of infertility, as hormonal shifts and hereditary problems get in the way of conceiving. As dreadful as this sounds, all hope is not lost. With proper medical treatment and lifestyle strategies, it is possible to reverse infertility and have a baby of your own.

But, before you can get into that, you first need to know if you are actually a victim of infertility. Whether it’s hair loss or inconsistently scheduled visits from Aunt Flo, there are a myriad of signs that serve as indicators of your possible infertility. Head up to our gallery to get informed.

Lim Han

Photo: Getty Images

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