The signs of infertility may vary greatly from one individual to another, but the most common and typically first evident sign of infertility is the lack of pregnancy after a couple has been having regular, unprotected sex for a year or more with no other form of birth control in place. It is very possible to be infertile even if you are generally healthy, experience normal and regular menstrual cycles, and have a healthy sex drive.

If you suspect you may be infertile you should ask yourself, as well as your partner, relevant and essential questions and answer them with open honesty to better evaluate your present circumstance. Some of these questions relate to age, menstrual cycle.

Regarding Age

Are you or your partner older than 35? The reason you need to ask yourself this question is because people over the age of 35 frequently begin experiencing infertility problems. In fact, this is when signs of infertility usually first begin surfacing, and contrary to what you may believe, it’s quite common. Something else you need to bear in mind is that it becomes increasingly difficult for a woman to conceive once she passes the 30 year mark. For example, when she’s 30, she has a 20% chance of becoming pregnant during one cycle; whereas she’ll only have a 5% chance by the time she turns 40. Let’s just say that if you’re over the age of 35, and you and your partner have been unsuccessful in conceiving, even though the two of you have been having regular sex, then you need to brace yourself for the fact that you may be experiencing symptoms of infertility.

Menstrual Cycles

Do you have regular or irregular menstrual cycles? An irregular menstrual cycle could potentially be a warning signal of a fertility issue. But bear in mind that it is only suggestive and is never definitive therefore, further diagnostic testing should be done to confirm any fertility issues or underlying medical conditions. Normal menstrual cycles usually span from anywhere between 24 and 35 days. Cycles that fall outside this norm are considered abnormal or irregular. If this is the case with you, it may be beneficial to contact your medical provider to discuss possible options.

Other signs of infertility can involve the actual amount of blood being discharged each time a woman has her period. For example, do you experience light bleeding or heavy bleeding? Are your periods often accompanied by severe cramps? The average woman bleeds for 3 to 7 days each time she has her period, and this is perfectly normal, but if you experience unusually light bleeding or excessively heavy bleeding, then you need to know that this is also one of the symptoms of infertility, so here again, it’s advisable for you to make an appointment with your obstetrician. Basically, if you notice any type of variation as far as your menstrual cycles are concerned when you’re trying to get pregnant, is worthwhile discussing it with your obstetrician.

Regarding Males

Does your other half sometimes have difficulty in achieving an erection, or is he experiencing any problems with ejaculation? Unfortunately for couples who are having difficulty conceiving, the signs of infertility in males are not as easy to spot as they are in females. In fact, the only real way to determine whether or not a man is infertile is by having proper medical tests done in order to determine sperm count and sperm motility.

Want to find out more about Symptoms of Infertility and What Causes Infertility?, then visit Sharon R. Mitchelle’s site on how to choose the best infertility treatment for your needs.