7 Signs Your Fertility Struggles May Be Linked to Your Hormones

If you’ve been trying to conceive for months without success, it’s only natural to wonder why. While infertility has many possible causes, hormone imbalances are one of the more common and most treatable.

Your hormones regulate ovulation, egg quality, and the environment needed for conception. When hormone levels are out of balance, your body may send subtle or not so subtle warning signs that something isn’t working as it should.

At CARE Fertility in Bedford and Fort Worth, Texas, our team of reproductive endocrinology and infertility specialists helps many individuals and couples find the underlying causes of their infertility. Because hormonal disorders are so common, recognizing the warning signs may help you seek evaluation and treatment sooner.

1. Irregular menstrual cycles

If your period always seems to arrive too soon, too late, or not at all, you may have an irregular menstrual cycle. Normally, the menstrual cycle lasts between 21 and 35 days. Cycles that consistently fall outside of this range may indicate a problem with ovulation, the process in which your ovary releases an egg for fertilization.

Estrogen, progesterone, luteinizing hormone, and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), work together to regulate your cycle, including ovulation. When these hormones are imbalanced, ovulation may not occur regularly, making conception more difficult.

One of the most common hormonal conditions affecting fertility is polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS), formerly called PCOS. This condition is often associated with higher-than-normal androgen hormone levels that interfere with ovulation.

2. Heavy or light periods

Changes in menstrual flow can also point to hormone imbalances.

Heavy periods are associated with excess estrogen, causing the uterine lining to become thicker than normal. Light periods may occur when estrogen levels are too low, resulting in an uterine lining that’s too thin to support embryo implantation. 

While occasional changes are common, if your periods are persistently heavy or light, see our team for an evaluation, especially if you’re trying to get pregnant.

3. Excess facial or body hair

Excess facial or body hair is another symptom of PMOS. Elevated androgen levels can trigger extra hair growth on your face, chest, or back.

If you have unwanted hair growth, along with irregular periods, talk with your gynecologist. Treating the underlying hormonal imbalance may improve your symptoms and your fertility.

4. Unexpected weight changes

Are you struggling to lose weight despite eating right and exercising? Unexplained weight gain or difficulty losing weight are also common with PMOS. Thyroid disorders can make weight loss challenging and affect fertility as well.

Unexpected weight loss is another warning sign. An overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism), can disrupt ovulation and make pregnancy more difficult.

5. Always feeling tired

Feeling chronically exhausted, even after getting enough sleep, may not be just the result of your busy schedule. 

Low thyroid hormone levels slow your body’s metabolism, often leading to persistent fatigue. Fluctuations in estrogen and progesterone can also contribute to low energy. 

6. Pain during sex

Pain during sex is something you should never ignore. 

Low estrogen can cause vaginal dryness and thinning of the vaginal tissues, making intercourse uncomfortable or painful. Hormonal imbalances may also affect your libido, which can make conception more difficult if intercourse occurs less frequently,

Fortunately, treatment can help address many hormonal causes of painful intercourse. 

7. Severe PMS

Premenstrual syndrome often causes bloating, cramping, and mood changes before your period. While mild symptoms are common, severe PMS may signal an underlying hormonal imbalance.  

Though researchers are still learning exactly why PMS occurs, they believe fluctuations in estrogen and progesterone play an important role. Significant hormone imbalances also affect ovulation and fertility.

Our experienced team can help you find answers

Hormone imbalances are a common cause of infertility. Paying attention to changes in your menstrual cycle, energy, mood, and weight can provide the clues you need to better understand your conception challenges.

If you suspect hormones are interfering with your ability to get pregnant, we can help. Our team offers comprehensive evaluations to find the underlying cause of infertility and create a treatment plan that supports your path to pregnancy.

Call CARE Fertility today or request an appointment online.