What are the warning signs of infertility?

In the UK, as many as one in seven couples will experience difficulties in naturally conceiving a child. Unfortunately, many people don’t realise there is a problem with their fertility until they start actively trying to get pregnant.  

If you have any concerns around your own fertility, it’s better to know sooner rather than later. Whether you’re planning for the future or trying for a pregnancy now, you’re in the right place to learn the key signs to look out for and when to see a specialist about your fertility.  

Warning signs for females

For people who plan to carry a pregnancy, many symptoms of infertility relate to their periods. The menstrual cycle acts a ‘vital sign’. It’s a helpful readout from your body that can let you know if your reproductive system is working as it should.   
 
We recommended you see a doctor or speak to a fertility specialist if you are experiencing any of these signs: 

• Irregular or unpredictable periods  

• Absent periods  

• Spotting or breakthrough bleeds in between periods 

• Periods more than 35 days apart, or less than 25 days apart 

• Very painful periods  

• Pain during intercourse  

Although these don’t always mean infertility, they can be signs of conditions affecting fertility, like endometriosis, PCOS, early menopause or premature ovarian insufficiency.  

If you’re using contraception, such as the IUD or the pill, these can mask symptoms relating to your menstrual cycle, for example, irregular or painful periods.  

Sadly, a regular period is no guarantee of being fertile - only a fertility assessment can explore that. But if your periods are unpredictable, absent, or painful to the point that they interfere with your life, it’s time to speak to a doctor about possible fertility challenges. 

Your cycle is regular when your periods are spaced apart evenly, meaning they always happen a similar number of days apart. On average, day one of the period comes every 28 days.  

Most people have a total menstrual cycle lasting 25 - 35 days, which includes five to seven days of bleeding. If your total cycle is longer or shorter, it can be a sign of an underlying fertility condition.  

Learn more about female infertility, including the symptoms, possible causes, and what’s available to help if you’re worried about your fertility.  

Warning signs for males

For people who plan to start a pregnancy by contributing healthy sperm, the signs of infertility can be a little harder to spot. 

Male factor infertility doesn’t often cause symptoms. The most common cause of male infertility is poor sperm quality, and the only way to tell is by checking your sample under a microscope — known as semen analysis or a sperm test.  

But, if you’re experiencing any of the following signs, it’s time to see a doctor about your fertility: 

• Difficulty getting or keeping an erection  

• Little to no interest in sex 

• Dry orgasm (where no semen comes out) 

• Cloudy urine 

• Breast growth (gynecomastia)  

Although these don’t always mean infertility, they can be signs of male infertility, or conditions that could cause it. 

You’ve likely heard of testosterone, which is a hormone that’s closely linked to sperm production.  

Low testosterone is more common in people with low-quality sperm and can cause erectile dysfunction, a low sex drive, and symptoms like gynecomastia and muscle weakness.  

But before you consider the possibility of testosterone supplements to help this, you’ll want to know that these can lower your sperm count - so much so that clinical trials are exploring whether they could work as male birth control.  

Other symptoms of male infertility, like dry orgasm or cloudy urine, can be caused by blocked tubes or being unable to produce sperm, for example, after a medical treatment like chemotherapy.  
 
Learn more about what can cause male infertility and ways to help you on your pathway to parenthood.  

Infertility tests

There are a wide range of tests used to investigate infertility. The first step is usually to have a fertility assessment, which includes:  

• Assessing your egg count (ovarian reserve) with an antral follicle count (AFC) test and anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) blood test  

or 

• A sperm assessment, looking at the amount, shape, size and mobility of your sperm cells 

If your consultant is concerned about possible conditions affecting your fertility, they may suggest other tests, like imaging scans to look more closely at the structures in your reproductive system.  

As many as 1 in 7 couples in the UK struggle with infertility, but there is a wide range of treatments to help. Learn more about the fertility options we offer at TFP Fertility, and how we can support you in creating your family.