What is Infertility?
According to the International Committee for Monitoring Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ICMART), infertility is described as a condition that is characterized by the failure to establish a clinical pregnancy after 12 months of regular and unprotected sexual intercourse. However, for general understanding infertility is considered as failure to conceive.
Often women are blamed for not being able to conceive and reproduce whereas their failure in conceiving can be due to infertility in men as well. The fact is that infertility can be due any impairment or inability of either one or both partner’s ability to conceive and reproduce children.
The common reasons for infertility among women could be:
- Improper or lack of ovulation due to polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), Functional hypothalamic amenorrhea (FHA), Diminished ovarian reserve (DOR), premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) and Menopause.
- Tubal Patency i.e. fallopian tubes open, blocked or swollen
- Physical characteristics of the uterus
- Endometriosis, Fibroids, and Pelvic inflammatory disease
- Cervical issues
- Cancer and cancer treatments
- Obesity
- Age, i.e. over 35 years
Whereas among men, infertility may be due to factors based on semen analysis like:
- Sperm count, i.e. concentration or number of sperms
- Motility, i.e. movement of sperms
- Morphology, i.e. shape of sperms due to Varicoceles
Infertility among men can also be due to:
- Hormonal imbalances
- Erectile dysfunction
- Pre-mature ejaculation or difficulty in ejaculating
- Age
- Smoking or chewing tobacco
- Consumption of alcohol or narcotic preparations like marijuana or cocaine
- History of sexually transmitted infections
- Cancer treatments, including chemotherapy and radiation
- Exposure to high heat for prolonged periods
- Obesity
What are the Symptoms & Types of Infertility?
Infertility is a common problem and quite stressful as many people show no direct symptoms & types of infertility. However, as infertility may occur in both males and females, they may exhibit symptoms of infertility.
Symptoms of infertility among women are:
- Dyspareunia i.e. Pain during sex-due to infections, fibroids, and endometriosis
- Heavy, long, or painful periods – often due to endometriosis
- Dark or pale menstrual blood
- Irregular menstrual cycle
- Fluctuations in hormone levels – causing unexplained weight gain, severe acne, nipple discharge, facial hair in females, thinning hair on the top of the head, reduced sex drive or loss of sexual desire and cold feet and hands
- Underlying medical conditions such as damage to fallopian tubes or ovaries, premature menopause, PCOS, endometriosis, obesity, cancer and cancer treatments
Symptoms of infertility in men include:
- Hormonal imbalances
- Changes in testicles – that may be small or firm
- Pain, lump or swelling in testicles
- Changes in hair growth
- Changes in sexual desire
- Problems with erections and ejaculation
Apart from male and female infertility, usually the infertility is of 2 types such as:
- Primary infertility – that refers to women who fail to conceive after at least 1 year having sex without using birth control devices and methods.
- Secondary infertility– that refers to women who got pregnant at least once, but are unable to conceive now.
What is The Cost of Infertility Treatment in India?
The cost of Infertility treatment in India differs from case to case. Usually, the cost depends upon:
- Expertise and competence of the doctor
- Hospital Procedure of Infertility treatment
- The medical and diagnostic procedure
- Room category and services availed
Despite the best treatment, the cost of infertility treatment in India is extremely low and affordable when compared to medically advanced countries.
New Technique Available For Infertility Treatment in India
With advancement and up-gradation of hospital infrastructure and availability of highly skilled and experienced doctors, infertility treatment in India is being provided using the latest techniques, procedures and equipment.
The treatment is being provided by highly qualified and competent doctors by using newer treatment techniques like:
- IVF
- IUI
- ICSI
- IVF + ICSI with Optical Spindle view
- IVF with Laser Assisted Hatching
- IVF with Blastocyst Culture Transfer
- GIFT (Gamete Intrafallopian Tube transfer) and ZIFT (Zygote Intra-fallopian Transfer)
- IVF with Donor Programme-eggs and embryos
- Cryopreserved
- Sonography
- Laparoscopy
Why Global Patients Prefer India For Infertility Treatment?
Global patients prefer India for infertility treatment largely due to highly experienced and skilled doctors, world-class hospitals, use of ultra-modern equipment and latest treatment for infertility that too at extremely low cost. For global patients visa is issued without any delay for medical tourism.
