If any of the following apply to you, let your doctor know. Waiting 6 months or a year to try to conceive naturally may not be the best option for you as, if there does turn out to be a problem, there will then be less time available to put it right.
- Endometriosis
The uterus is lined with tissue called the endometrium, which normally grows only inside the uterus. However, sometimes it grows outside the uterus, in the reproductive organs or in the intestines, rectum or bladder instead. This condition is called endometriosis. Some women have no symptoms of this happening, while others may experience warning signs. Common symptoms are:- heavy or abnormal menstrual flow
- very painful menstrual cramps
- painful sexual intercourse
- premenstrual spotting
- painful bowel movements
- diarrhea, constipation, or other intestinal upsets during menstruation
- painful or frequent urination during menstruation
- Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
Many women have polycystic ovaries. But, some women develop polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) when their hormonal system gets out of balance, making ovulation rare or irregular. Normally, a woman ovulates when an egg-containing follicle grows and releases a mature egg. Polycystic ovary syndrome makes those follicles stop growing, prematurely. Instead, they gradually build up in the ovaries forming numerous small, benign cysts. Polycystic ovary syndrome affects approximately 4% of women of reproductive age.
If you have polycystic ovaries you may suffer from:- irregular or nonexistent periods
- very light or very heavy bleeding during your period
- acne
- irregular or infrequent periods within 3 or 4 years after beginning menstruation
- weightgain, obese
- excessive hair growth to varying degrees
- Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
When you’re infected with chlamydia there’s a 25% chance you develop PID. This is when the lining of the uterus and fallopian tubes become inflamed. It can lead to blockages in the fallopian tubes, causing fertility problems. Women with PID can also suffer long-term pelvic pain and are at higher risk of having an ectopic pregnancy (where the fertilised egg implants outside the uterus). - Fibroids
Uterine fibroids are tumors in the uterus that grow from muscle tissue. About 25% of women of childbearing age have uterine fibroids (usually 30 to 50 year olds). Fibroids can grow on your uterine wall, within your uterine wall or in the uterine cavity. - Sexually transmitted disease, like chlamydia or gonorrhoea
Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted genital infection, it affects both men and women. Chlamydia can be treated with antibiotics but if left undiagnosed and untreated, it can result in fertility problems. - Irregular or painful periods
- You’ve had pelvic or abdominal surgery before
- Chronic illness like diabetes, cancer, thyroid disease, asthma or depression
- A chromosomal condition, like Turner’s syndrome (when one of the two X chromosomes normally found in females is missing or incomplete)
Or if you currently:
- Take medications, such as some steroids and antidepressants
- Are more than 25% over- or underweight
- Smoke: women who smoke have increased risk conception delay and for primary and secondary infertility, not to mention the risks for your baby if you do get pregnant.
