The medical definition of infertility is the inability to get pregnant after 6 to 12 months of trying to conceive, depending on your age.

If a couple has been actively trying for over a year, it may be time to consider seeing a specialist. One thing we hear time and time again from our Glow Fertility Program partner physicians is that they wish their patients would come in sooner. Seeing a specialist as soon as you suspect you may have a problem trying to conceive can save you both time and money.

Signs of infertility in women are most often related to changes in the menstrual cycle and ovulation. These account for 25% of infertility situations. Other situations have to do with related disease, birth defects, age, or male infertility.

Infertility signs related to the menstrual cycle and ovulation include:

• Abnormal periods—heavier or lighter than normal bleeding

• Irregular periods—the number of days between each period varies monthly

• Absent periods—periods are not occurring at all

• Painful periods—severe cramps or back/pelvic pain occurs during periods

All of these period-related signs indicate that there might be a problem with ovulation. There may be an abnormality with the development, condition, or release of the egg from the ovaries.

Additional factors related to infertility include:

• Age—by age 40, the chances of conceiving during any one cycle drops to 5%

• Weight—being over- or underweight influences reproductive hormone levels

• Hormone changes—sudden skin, hair, and weight changes may indicate a hormone imbalance

• Recurrent miscarriage—multiple miscarriages may be a sign of uterine, blood clotting, hormonal, or genetic issues

• Chronic illness or disease—illnesses and diseases (eg, diabetes, hypothyroidism, cancer, STDs) and their medications may suppress fertility

• Excessive smoking and drinking—regular and excessive intake can lead to infertility in both men and women

There are also a number of infertility issues that may not have an obvious sign. These include fallopian tube blockage or damage, cervical or uterine abnormalities, and male infertility.

Looking for signs of infertility is the first step to diagnosing a fertility issue, and a doctor can help assess, diagnose, and treat these concerns.