Signs that may point to infertility in women

Irregular or absent periods

A regular menstrual cycle usually lasts between 21 and 35 days. Cycles that vary widely from month to month, that are very long or very short, or the absence of periods (amenorrhoea) may reflect irregular or absent ovulation.

This is the sign most often found in fertility consultations, because without ovulation there is no egg to fertilise. It can have many origins: polycystic ovary syndrome, thyroid disorders, excess prolactin, significant weight loss, very intense physical training, major stress.

Significant pelvic pain

Period pain that forces you to stop, to miss work or classes, or pelvic pain that occurs outside your period, is not simply “normal”. It may suggest endometriosis, adenomyosis or the after-effects of an upper genital tract infection.

Dismissing this pain is one of the reasons endometriosis is still often diagnosed several years late.

Abnormal bleeding

Very heavy periods, bleeding between periods or bleeding after intercourse deserve medical advice. They can be linked to fibroids, polyps, an abnormality of the endometrium or a hormonal imbalance.

Painful intercourse

Deep pain during intercourse (dyspareunia) is frequently associated with endometriosis or pelvic infection. Beyond its cause, it can also reduce how often couples have sex, and therefore the chances of conceiving.

Medical history worth mentioning

Some elements of your medical history justify seeking advice without waiting 12 months:

• a sexually transmitted infection treated late,
• pelvic surgery or an operation for an ectopic pregnancy,
• chemotherapy or radiotherapy,
• endometriosis already diagnosed,
• being 35 or older.

What these signs do not tell you

None of these signs makes it possible to conclude that infertility is present. Many women who have them conceive without difficulty, and many women facing difficulties have no signs at all. The only purpose of this list is to help decide whether to see a doctor.