• the right doctor
• basal fertility testing
• female symptoms
  • menstrual disorders
  • other hormonal imbalances
  • infections
  • pain
  • other factors
• additional tests for women
• female diagnosis
• male symptoms
• additional tests for men
• male diagnosis
• unexplained subfertility

other factors

The previous sections have outlined a number of physical symptoms that can be indicative of or serve as clues to underlying fertility problems. In addition, there are a number of other factors that can provide an indication of what the cause of the fertility problem is.

• weight gain or weight loss
• high temperature
• female sterilisation (or restoration)
• DES - usage by mother

weight gain or weight loss

Significant weight gain and weight loss can cause problems with ovulation. For example, obesity can be a symptom of polycystic ovarian syndrome PCOS. A consequence of extreme weight loss (such as anorexia nervosa) can be the cessation of menstruation - a sign that the body is no longer ovulating.

A relative loss of weight in obese women can have a positive effect on their fertility. Even if a few pounds are lost in a healthy manner, this can be beneficial. Too much physical activity can also have a negative effect on the ovulation cycle.

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high temperature

Women’s body temperature changes during the course of the monthly cycle. However a temperature higher than 38.3° Celsius for a long duration of time indicates the presence of an infection. A recurring fever that lasts longer than a few days and occurring with pelvic pains can indicate the presence of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) or a urinary tract infection.

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female sterilisation (or restoration)

Sterilisation is a permanent method of birth control. There are different techniques but all of them interrupt the continuity of the fallopian tubes, preventing the egg and sperm from meeting. If sterilisation is adopted as a method of contraception, then it is assumed that the woman in question has absolutely decided that she no longer wants to have (more) children.

However, circumstances can change. People can later regret this decision. If a woman decides that she does want children following a sterilisation, then she will have to undergo surgery to try to restore the tubes through microsurgery. Such an operation is not always successful. Before a restoration operation is undertaken, a semen analysis of the partner is often carried out to exclude the possibility of male infertility. If a restoration operation is not possible or not successful, then IVF is the only option available to the couple.

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DES - usage by mother

DES (diethylstilbestrol) is a hormone preparation (synthetic oestrogen pill) that was prescribed to many European women until the 1980s, to prevent miscarriages. If your mother took DES when she was pregnant with you, this could be a factor in your own reduced fertility. It is now apparent that DES may have caused uterus disorders in the daughters of women who took the medication. If the mother took DES at any time, the daughter must report this to the fertility specialist. These women often remain, irrespective of the fertility examination, under the supervision of the gynaecologist.

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