We found 10% of reproductive-age couples are unable
to conceive even after a year of trying.
What to do if unsuccessful
The first step to identify possible issues contributing to a couple’s
inability to conceive. Both man and her woman should undergo a physical exam
depending on the risks identified, further testing is done to specifically
identify the limiting conditions. This may include testing to examine the
male’s sperm (amount, motility, etc.), evaluation of the female’s anatomy (for
example a hysterosalpingogram, ultrasound, and/or other tests) and evaluation
of the women’s ability to ovulate (possibly including hormonal testing and/or
other tests).
In fact out of 100% nearly 30% of all infertility cases, the cause is
attributed to a problem in the male, 30% of cases, the cause is attributed in
female and 30% to both male and female factors and rest 10% is unknown.
The main cause of infertility is the abnormalities in sperm
of males which includes low sperm production or immobile sperm. Tubal
issues in the woman account for another third, ovulation issues for about 15
percent, and other issues or no explanation identified in
the rest.
What treatment to go for when the cause is identified?
Once a cause is identified, a
specific care plan can be developed. This may include treatment for the male
partner (or even consideration of using sperm donation), medical treatment of
the woman to help increase ovulation (including weight change if that is a
contributing factor, as well as medications to stimulate ovulation), surgery to
address anatomical issues, use of intra-uterine insemination (where sperm is
injected into the woman’s uterus), and possibly use of assisted reproductive
technology (ART, which is taking eggs from the women, typically by a minimally
invasive surgical procedure, and combining them with sperm in the laboratory).
In India nowadays the most common approach to ART is in vitro
fertilization or IVF, where a sperm is directly injected into the egg with
subsequent transfer of the embryo (after the fertilized egg has been incubated
in a special culture medium for several days to increase the chance that is
will be viable). The first IVF was done in 1976, and since then it has led to
over 5 million successful pregnancies worldwide.
Couples having difficulty conceiving should see a fertility specialist
so they can have the workup appropriate for them and then discuss their best
options.
