Just some questions concerning this topic:

1. Can a woman tell whether or not she's infertile without trying to get pregnant?

2. Are there any foods, medications/drugs, or chemicals that cause infertility?

3. Will a girl or woman who is infertile still get her period?

4. What, in general, causes infertility?

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Not wondering for my own benefit, but just to suffice my own curiosities.

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Dark Stranger - is clueless when it comes to the reproductive system :eek:

1. Can a woman tell whether or not she's infertile without trying to get pregnant?
No,women find out the have fertility issues because they were trying to get pregnant and either have misscarriages or cant get pregnant after a year or more of ttc on their own.

2. Are there any foods, medications/drugs, or chemicals that cause infertility
As for foods,not that there are known of. Meds or chemicals yes and the list can get rather long. Those that work in hazard conditions such as toxic chemicals or such can have fertility issues. But then again there are others in which it doesnt effect so what effects one man/woman might not effect the next ones.

3. Will a girl or woman who is infertile still get her period?
Yes we can still have periods and they can actually even be quite regular but be infertile or have fertility issues.

4. What, in general, causes infertility?
There isnt an in general to be honest because there is such a variety of things that can cause it or not cause it. There is unexplained infertility in which there is no known cause. Hormones being out of whack,male fertility issues,Endo,PCOS,over/under weight and so on and so on.


Since you mentioned you are clueless about the reproductive system why not read the book Taking Charge Of Your Fertility by Toni Weschler. It is a great book not only for those ttc but for those who truly want to know more about their own bodies. You dont have to buy it since you can find it at your local library.

Thank you, Blastoff9600, for your great advice. I appreciate it.

One last question I forgot to ask...is it true that a yeast infection left untreated can result in infertility?

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Dark Stranger - curious kitten

I've never heard that, but I'm not a doctor, so I don't know.

Dark Stranger - I agree with the previous posts. To my knowledge, there's no way to know about infertility in a woman unless you're trying to get pregnant and can't get pregnant. Having said that, the initial stages for investigating infertility include a number of screening tests that are noninvasive (blood tests, ultrasounds, etc.) that would give an indication that initial indicators are good for getting pregnant. These tests rule out some (NOT ALL) situations of infertility. I wouldn't necessarily recommend them unless you suspect infertility and are trying to get pregnant. For example, if you're just trying to avoid birth control or just curious, i wouldn't go that route.

For men, it's an easier equation .. a simple sperm test can provide a good indication of fertility levels.

Also, your gynecologist can answer any burning questions that you have - make a list before your annual visit.

Thank you, Blastoff9600, for your great advice. I appreciate it.

One last question I forgot to ask...is it true that a yeast infection left untreated can result in infertility?

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Dark Stranger - curious kitten


I have never heard of a yeast infection making you infertile, but I know Chlyamidia (sp?) can cause infertility if untreated. It can cause scar tissue to block your tubes.

Infertility has such a wide range (as Blastoff had mentioned).......some from certain meds, health problems, etc.

I have PCOS and have experienced infertility. I have 2 cousins who experienced infertility as well...........one of them was for no known reason. She tried for 7 years, had every test imaginable done, was on meds to try to conceive, then ended up successfully conceiving with IVF. So, finally after 7 years, she got her baby. When her daughter was a year old..........she found out that she was expecting again. This time around she wasn't even trying. She just took for granted that she was not going to be able to conceive on her own, and she ended up pregnant.

I also have another cousin who experienced infertility due to damaged tubes (I believe). She had IVF and had triplets.

So, basically infertility could be a wide range of things...........sometimes women find out what the problem is.........other times women don't get answers.