Empower and educate yourself during NIAW 2022

If you’ve been dealing with a pile of negative pregnancy tests, you’re not alone. Millions of women and men face infertility, and many of them don’t realize it until they start trying for a baby. National Infertility Awareness Week (NIAW) exists to tell us that infertility is common and treatable. For NIAW 2022, Erika Munch MD is discussing the signs of infertility.

If you know the symptoms of infertility, you’ll be more likely to visit a fertility doctor sooner. And as our San Antonio infertility doctor knows, faster diagnosis and treatment can often help you bring home a healthy baby.

What are the signs of infertility in women?

Women are tough, so we often write off symptoms like heavy or painful periods as just part of being a woman. However, these and other symptoms can be signs of infertility. Here is a look at some of the symptoms to watch out for.

Irregular periods. The typical menstrual cycle is 28 days long. Having a slightly shorter or longer cycle probably isn’t an issue as long as your cycles are consistent. Issues like PCOS might be a problem if you can’t predict when your period will arrive or if you don’t get a period at all.

Painful or very heavy periods. Sure, cramping is normal during your period. However, debilitating pain isn’t. Neither is having to change your pad or tampon every hour or two. These issues are signs of infertility, specifically endometriosis.

Hormone fluctuations. You might not realize your hormones are fluctuating, but certain issues can clue you in. These include skin problems, low sex drive, facial hair, thinning hair and weight gain. These can be signs of PCOS.

Pain during sex. A lot of women have experienced pain during sex, but it shouldn’t be the norm. If you’re having painful sex more often than not, it could be due to hormonal issues or endometriosis.

What are the symptoms in men?

Women aren’t the only ones who can have fertility issues. That’s why it’s important to know about the signs of infertility in men. Here are some of the symptoms that our San Antonio infertility doctor recommends looking out for.

• Low sex drive could indicate hormonal problems, which can also affect fertility.
• Testicular pain or swelling is associated with several conditions related to male infertility.
• Erectile dysfunction can make it more difficult to conceive and suggest hormonal issues.
• Inability to ejaculate could be due to hormonal or structural problems.
• Small, firm testicles can negatively affect sperm health.

Thankfully, these signs of infertility in women and men can help our San Antonio infertility doctor make a diagnosis and develop a treatment plan. By providing the right care and support, our team can help make parenthood possible. Contact us to learn more during NIAW 2022 or any time.