Best Infertility Treatment Center in India

What is Infertility?

Infertility is a condition where some people cannot get pregnant. It happens because of issues with their reproductive system. Getting pregnant involves several steps:

1. The brain produces hormones that control ovarian function.
2. An egg must mature in the ovary.
3. The ovary releases the egg (ovulation).
4. The fallopian tube picks up the egg.
5. Sperm travels through the vagina, uterus, and into the fallopian tube.
6. The sperm fertilizes the egg, creating an embryo.
7. The embryo moves to the uterus and implants there.
8. If any of these steps don’t happen, pregnancy cannot occur.

If you’re under 35, infertility may be diagnosed if you’ve been trying to conceive for one year (12 months) with regular unprotected sex. For those aged 35 or older, the diagnosis may happen after six months of regular unprotected sex.

Infertility is more common than you may think, but there are various treatment options available for people who want to start or grow their family.

What are the types of infertility?

There are different types of infertility:

1. Primary infertility: This occurs when someone has never been pregnant and is unable to conceive after one year of regular, unprotected sexual intercourse (or six months if they are 35 or older).
2. Secondary infertility: This happens when someone has had at least one successful pregnancy in the past but is now unable to get pregnant again.
3. Unexplained infertility: In this case, fertility testing has been unable to identify the reason why a person or a couple is unable to get pregnant.

What are the common causes of infertility?

Infertility can be influenced by various factors that may affect one partner or both. Some of the risk factors associated with infertility include:

1. Age: Advanced age, especially being in your late 30s or 40s, can impact fertility in both men and women. Men may experience decreased fertility closer to the age of 50.
2. Eating disorders: Conditions like anorexia nervosa and bulimia can disrupt reproductive function and lead to fertility issues.
3. Excessive alcohol consumption: Heavy alcohol intake can negatively affect fertility in both men and women.
4. Exposure to environmental toxins: Contact with harmful substances like chemicals, lead, and pesticides may impair reproductive health.
5. Over-exercising: Intense and excessive physical activity can interfere with fertility.
6. Radiation therapy or chemotherapy: Cancer treatments like radiation and chemotherapy can harm reproductive organs and reduce fertility.
7. Sexually transmitted infections (STIs): Certain STIs can cause infertility or increase the risk of complications that affect fertility.
8. Smoking and tobacco use: Smoking is linked to around 13% to 15% of infertility cases and can harm fertility in both males and females.
9. Substance abuse: Illicit drug use can have adverse effects on reproductive capacity.
10. Weight issues: Both obesity and being underweight can disrupt hormonal balance and impact fertility.
11. Abnormalities of hormone-producing centers: Problems with the hypothalamus or pituitary glands in the brain can affect hormone levels necessary for reproduction.
12. Chronic conditions and diseases: Certain ongoing health conditions can contribute to fertility challenges.

It’s essential to be aware of these risk factors and take appropriate measures to optimize fertility and address any concerns in order to increase the chances of conceiving successfully. Leading a healthy lifestyle, seeking medical advice, and addressing any underlying health issues can significantly improve the prospects of starting or expanding a family.

What are the causes of infertility for women?

Infertility in women can arise from various causes, with ovulation disorders being the most common. Ovulation is the crucial process where an egg is released from the ovary to potentially meet sperm for fertilization.

Factors that may contribute to female infertility include:

1. Endometriosis: A condition where tissue similar to the uterine lining grows outside the uterus, leading to fertility challenges.
2. Structural abnormalities: Issues with the vagina, uterus, or fallopian tubes can hinder conception.
3. Autoimmune conditions: Certain autoimmune disorders like celiac disease or lupus can impact fertility.
4. Kidney disease: Underlying kidney problems may affect reproductive health.
5. Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID): Infections causing inflammation in the pelvic region can lead to infertility.
6. Hypothalamic and pituitary gland disorders: Problems with these brain regions can disrupt hormone regulation essential for fertility.
7. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS): A hormonal disorder that can cause irregular ovulation and fertility issues.
8. Primary ovarian insufficiency or poor egg quality: When the ovaries don’t function properly or eggs have quality problems, fertility can be affected.
9. Sickle cell anemia: This blood disorder may influence reproductive capabilities.
10. Uterine fibroids or uterine polyps: Growths in the uterus can interfere with conception and pregnancy.
11. Thyroid disease: Thyroid disorders can disrupt hormone balance and fertility.
12. Prior surgical sterilization: Procedures like tubal ligation or salpingectomy, done for permanent contraception, can cause infertility.
13. Genetic or chromosomal disorders: Certain genetic conditions can impact reproductive abilities.
14. Sexual dysfunction: Difficulties with sexual function may hinder conception.
15. Surgical or congenital absence of ovaries: If the ovaries are missing from birth or have been surgically removed, infertility can result.
16. Infrequent or absent menstrual periods: Irregular or absent menstrual cycles can affect fertility.

It’s important for individuals facing these challenges to seek medical advice and explore available treatment options to address the specific cause of infertility and improve their chances of achieving pregnancy if desired. Early diagnosis and appropriate interventions can make a significant difference in the journey towards building a family.

What are the causes of infertility for men?

The most common cause of male infertility involves problems with the shape, movement (motility) or amount (low sperm count) of sperm.

Other causes of male infertility include:

1. Enlarged veins (varicocele) in the scrotum: Varicoceles are swollen veins that can disrupt blood flow and raise the temperature in the scrotum, potentially affecting sperm production.
2. Genetic disorders: Conditions like cystic fibrosis, caused by genetic mutations, can lead to fertility problems in males.
3. Chromosomal disorders: Examples include Klinefelter syndrome, a condition where males have an extra X chromosome, which can result in reduced fertility.
4. High heat exposure to the testicles: Frequent exposure to high temperatures, such as from wearing tight clothing, using hot tubs or saunas, and placing laptops or heating pads near the testes, can harm sperm production.
5. Injury to the scrotum or testicles: Trauma to the genital area can interfere with normal sperm production and function.
6. Low testosterone (hypogonadism): Insufficient levels of testosterone can affect sperm production and reproductive function.
7. Misuse of anabolic steroids: Taking steroids for bodybuilding or athletic purposes can disrupt the body’s hormonal balance and impact fertility.
8. Sexual dysfunction: Conditions like erectile dysfunction, anejaculation (inability to ejaculate), premature ejaculation, or retrograde ejaculation (where semen enters the bladder instead of exiting the penis) can contribute to infertility.
9. Undescended testicles: When one or both testicles fail to descend into the scrotum during fetal development or early childhood, it can affect fertility.
10. Previous chemotherapy or radiation therapy: Cancer treatments like chemotherapy and radiation can harm sperm-producing cells and lead to temporary or permanent infertility.
11. Surgical or congenital absence of testes: Some individuals may be born without testes (anorchia) or undergo surgical removal due to medical reasons, causing infertility.
12. Prior surgical sterilization (vasectomy): A vasectomy is a surgical procedure that blocks the vas deferens, preventing sperm from reaching the semen during ejaculation, resulting in male sterilization.

What are some common fertility treatments to assist couples in conceiving?

When natural conception proves challenging, couples may opt for assisted reproductive technology (ART), which involves medical interventions to handle the sperm or egg. To enhance the chances of pregnancy, healthcare providers may prescribe medications to stimulate ovulation before considering the following treatment options:

1. In-vitro fertilization (IVF): In IVF, eggs are retrieved from the woman’s ovaries and combined with sperm in a laboratory dish. The fertilized eggs (embryos) are then transferred into the woman’s uterus, typically one to three at a time.
2. Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI): ICSI is often performed alongside IVF. During this procedure, an embryologist directly injects a single sperm into each egg to facilitate fertilization. The resulting embryos are subsequently transferred into the woman’s uterus.
3. Intrauterine insemination (IUI): Also known as artificial insemination, IUI involves a healthcare provider using a thin tube to place sperm directly into the woman’s uterus, increasing the likelihood of fertilization.
4. Lase assisted hatching: This process entails creating a small opening in the outer layer of an embryo to aid its implantation into the woman’s uterine lining.
5. Donor IVF: In certain cases, couples may opt for donor eggs, donor sperm, or donor embryos to facilitate conception. Additionally, some couples may require the assistance of a gestational carrier or surrogate to carry the pregnancy to term.

Each of these fertility treatments is tailored to the specific needs and circumstances of the couple. While ART can offer hope to couples facing fertility challenges, it is essential for them to work closely with qualified fertility specialists to determine the most suitable treatment approach for their individual situation. Advances in reproductive medicine continue to expand the options available, offering renewed possibilities for those aspiring to start or grow their families.