Signs of infertility in women In women, signs of infertility may include: Pain during sex Pain during sex, or dyspareunia, can be a sign of an underlying health problem that may influence a woman's fertility. Examples of such health issues include infections, endometriosis, and fibroids. Heavy, long, or painful periods Woman with signs of infertility looking pensive on bed. Heavy periods may indicate an underlying condition affecting fertility. Some women experience a few days of light flow, while others regularly experience heavy periods and painful cramps. Women who experience very heavy, painful periods may be showing signs of endometriosis, a condition where tissues usually found in the womb are present elsewhere in the body. Endometriosis is a risk factor for infertility. Other symptoms of endometriosis include: chronic pelvic pain (not only during menstruation) pain during sex back pain fatigue nausea irregular periods and spotting bowel problems or pain with bowel movements Dark or pale menstrual blood If menstrual blood is regularly paler than usual, this may be a cause for concern. Menstrual blood is usually bright red at the beginning of a person's period and may get darker over the following days. Passing very dark, old blood at the beginning of a period can also be a sign of endometriosis. If a person is experiencing other symptoms, they may wish to speak to a doctor. Irregular menstrual cycle The length of a menstrual cycle varies between individuals and over time. However, many people have a regular cycle, meaning that the time between each period is roughly the same Having an irregular cycle, including missing periods, can contribute to infertility, as it means a woman may not be regularly ovulating. Ovulation is when the ovary releases an egg. Irregular ovulation can be due to many issues, including polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), obesity, being underweight, and thyroid issues. Hormone changes Signs of hormonal changes can be nonspecific, and a person may not notice them or know the underlying cause. A doctor can test for some hormonal issues. Fluctuations in hormone levels can cause: unexplained weight gain severe acne cold feet and hands reduced sex drive or loss of sexual desire nipple discharge facial hair in females thinning hair on the top of the head Underlying medical conditions Other contributing factors that may affect fertility in women include: damage to the fallopian tubes or ovaries premature menopause PCOS endometriosis cancer and cancer treatments Obesity A 2018 study found that obesity might negatively affect reproductive health. Women with obesity have a lower probability of conceiving and are at a higher risk for issues during pregnancy than those without weight issues. Not getting pregnant The primary sign of infertility is not getting pregnant after trying for a certain length of time. A doctor may diagnose infertility if a woman has not become pregnant after 1 year of trying. If the woman is over the age of 35 years old, she may be infertile if she has not become pregnant after 6 months of trying. Best Fertility Care Center, Advanced Fertility Care Center , Ashwini Hospital Moondrumavadi Madurai -07.Maternal and Child Health Care.