Wouldn’t it be great if for every negative pregnancy test you took it could point you to the causes of infertility and what to do about it?
It would certainly take the guesswork out of planning for the next month. Instead, you’re left asking yourself did I just miss my ovulation window? Did I ovulate at all? Is it me? Is it him?
There can be many reasons for infertility. Knowing the signs and symptoms beforehand can help give you some direction when you feel frustrated and close to giving up.
Common symptoms in women include:
- A negative pregnancy test
- Irregular or absent periods
- Heavy, long or painful periods
- Painful sex
- Hormone fluctuations (i.e. acne, thinning or excess hair, weight gain, little to no sex drive)
- Breast discharge
- Frequently feeling cold or warm, or experiencing hot flushes
When Do I Go See the Doctor?
Obviously, the most common symptom of infertility is negative pregnancy tests after a year of regular intercourse. But it can be difficult to determine if it is due to timing or there is an underlying problem. We recommend you make an appointment to see us at any time if you suspect you are facing infertility. However, there are some general recommendations to help you decide when to see your doctor:
- If you’re 35 and younger and have been trying unsuccessfully for at least one year
- If you’re between ages 35-40, after 6 months of trying unsuccessfully
- If you are over the age of 40, you may need to consider evaluation and begin treatment right away
Remember, you are not alone. Approximately one out of six couples in the United States experiences infertility. It can be easy to get discouraged and frustrated, which is why we recommend getting involved in a support group.
What Causes Infertility?
There are many common causes of infertility. However, no two people may have the same treatment plan or options available to them. This is because no two people have the exact same health history. We strive to make sure each person has a treatment plan that best suits their needs according to their past history and future goals.
Some common causes of infertility include:
- Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
- Endometriosis
- Over the age of 35 (advanced maternal age)
- No ovulation
- Tubal blockage
- Miscarriages
- Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD)
- Male causes
Your weight, exercise habits and nutrition all play an important role in your fertility.
Did You Know?
Did you know there are decisions you can make right now that could greatly increase your fertility? Your weight, exercise habits and nutrition all play an important role in your fertility. Your weight, whether over or under, plays a crucial role in your fertility. There is an abundant amount of research and evidence that links weight to infertility. Not only does weight affect fertility and the preconception phase, but it also can negatively affect your pregnancy once you do become pregnant.
Female obesity in pregnancy has been linked to:
- Miscarriage and recurrent miscarriage
- Stillbirth
- Gestational diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Preeclampsia
- Sleep Apnea
- Increased risk of C-section and complications from C-section
- Birth defects
Additional Information About Female Infertility
Diet and Exercise
The phrase “diet and exercise” seems like a great term to throw out on the table but can leave people still without a plan or call to action. What should I eat? How often should I exercise?
Begin with self-examining your routine. Are there easy changes you can make immediately? Can you make smarter choices such as eliminating that late-night dessert or replacing soda with water? Can you quit smoking and drink less alcohol? Can you decrease your caffeine intake? Start incorporating fresh fruits and vegetables along with lean meat to your diet. These are all controllable lifestyle choices that can greatly increase your fertility chances.
In addition to eating right, now is the time to start taking those prenatal vitamins. These are important to take before, during and after pregnancy for optimal health. Other vitamins to consider including in your diet include:
COQ10*
There is some research that suggests benefits of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) for infertility. CoQ10, which occurs naturally in the body, is a vitamin-like substance that is found at the cell level. High concentrations of CoQ10 are found in places with high energy requirements such as heart, liver, or kidney. It is different than other vitamins because it does not need to be supplied in the diet.
The idea behind taking CoQ10 daily is that it improves egg quality in women who have a decreased mitochondrial energy production. The egg will have a better chance of normal chromosomal count if it has enough energy during the final stages of egg development. Hence where CoQ10 comes into play.
DHEA
Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is a naturally occurring hormone in the female body. Its main job is to convert androstenedione and testosterone into estrogens (estrone and estradiol).
A small study was done on five patients under the age of 41 and who had a documented poor response to high doses of gonadotropins, a hormone injection that stimulates luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH). DHEA was given to them for two months and continued during ovarian stimulation prior to intrauterine insemination (IUI). After two months, all patients showed an increase in androgen and estradiol (E2) levels, necessary hormones in conception.
Vitamin D
Almost all patients are Vitamin D deficient, even those that spend a lot of time outdoors. Women with higher Vitamin D levels are significantly more likely to achieve clinical pregnancy following IVF. Therefore when trying to conceive it is best to take Vitamin D supplements.
Omega 3 (Fish oil)
Fish are an important source of omega-3 fatty acids, which are crucial to the development of the fetus. There is evidence that suggests that higher fish consumption is correlative with greater cognitive development. However, not all fish are safe to eat while pregnant, so Fish Oil can be a safe way to supplement Omega 3. Women should limit fish intake to 6 ounces per week, only eat cooked fish, and avoid tuna, mackerel and tilefish which have higher levels of mercury. You can follow the FDA recommended safety tips to eating fish and shellfish.
Do you exercise regularly?
If so, great! Keep it up. If not, start by walking 30 minutes 5 times per week. As you build your stamina, increase your activity level to more strenuous or aerobic exercises for 30 minutes, five times per week. Research suggests that the ideal Body Mass Index (BMI) rang in women for the best fertility chances is between 18.5 to 25 kg/m2.
There are many great websites or YouTube videos you can watch and help you to make improvements right now in your health.
Stress
Lastly, consider your stress levels. It’s easy to be stressed when a negative pregnancy test keeps showing up uninvited each month. The more people tell you to “relax!” the more difficult it is to do just that. Studies have shown that women with high levels of stress can have a harder time getting pregnant, including IVF treatments. While it is difficult to prove that stress directly causes infertility, stress can cause women and men to eat and smoke more, exercise and sleep less, and take on other unhealthy habits that negatively affect fertility. Consider seeking a nutrition counselor or making lifestyle changes that can lower stress levels. Eat healthy, exercise 150 minutes per week (30 min per day 5 times per week), find activities that make you happy and get 8 hours of sleep per night as often as possible.