Female Infertility

Diagnosis of female infertility usually requires a thorough analysis, detailed discussion about your reproductive health, medical history, previous pregnancies, and lifestyle. On the basis of this discussion, your doctor may suggest some of the following tests:

• Ovulation assessment: Blood tests or ultrasound may be used to check whether ovulation is occurring regularly.
• Ovarian reserve testing: Tests such as AMH and antral follicle count can provide information about the number of eggs remaining in the ovaries. They do not, by themselves, predict whether you can become pregnant.
• Hormonal tests: Thyroid hormones, prolactin and other hormone levels may be checked when clinically indicated.
• Ultrasound: A pelvic or transvaginal ultrasound can help assess the uterus and ovaries and identify conditions such as fibroids or ovarian cysts.
• Fallopian tube evaluation: Tests such as hysterosalpingography (HSG) or other tubal assessments may be recommended to check whether the fallopian tubes are open.

Your partner may also need a semen analysis, as fertility problems can involve male, female or both partners.

Depending on the root cause of the condition, the following fertility treatments can be suggested:

Ovulation Induction

If irregular or absent ovulation is making conception difficult, medicines may be used to stimulate the ovaries and help an egg develop and release. Your response may be monitored through ultrasound and when required, blood tests. Ovulation induction may be used on its own or alongside other fertility treatments, depending on the cause of infertility.

Intrauterine Insemination (IUI)

IUI involves placing prepared sperm directly into the uterus around the time of ovulation. It may be considered in selected cases, including some instances of unexplained infertility, ovulation-related infertility or mild male-factor infertility. The suitability of IUI depends on factors such as age, ovarian reserve, fallopian tube health and sperm parameters.

In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF)

IVF involves stimulating the ovaries to develop multiple eggs, retrieving the eggs and fertilising them with sperm in a laboratory. The resulting embryo is then transferred into the uterus. IVF may be recommended when other treatments are unlikely to be effective or have not worked, including certain cases involving blocked fallopian tubes, endometriosis, reduced ovarian reserve or age-related fertility decline.

Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI)

ICSI is a laboratory fertilisation technique used as part of IVF. In this procedure, a single sperm is injected directly into an egg to assist fertilisation. It may be recommended in specific situations, particularly when there are significant sperm-related concerns or previous difficulties with fertilisation.

Frozen Embryo Transfer (FET)

With FET, a previously frozen embryo is thawed and transferred into the uterus during a later cycle. The uterine lining is prepared and monitored before the transfer. FET may be used when embryos have been preserved from an earlier IVF cycle or when a fresh embryo transfer is not the preferred approach.

Some conditions affecting fertility may require surgical treatment. The recommended procedure depends on the diagnosis and the woman’s individual circumstances. For example, minimally invasive surgery may be considered for certain cases of endometriosis, ovarian cysts, fibroids or other uterine abnormalities. Tubal surgery may also be considered in selected cases of fallopian tube blockage or damage. Surgery is not appropriate for everyone, and it does not always improve the chances of conception. Your fertility specialist can explain whether surgery is likely to benefit you or whether assisted reproductive treatment may be a more suitable option.

Fertility naturally changes with age and the number and quality of eggs generally decline over time. For women who wish to delay pregnancy, egg freezing may be an option to consider. During egg freezing, medicines are used to stimulate the ovaries, followed by egg retrieval. The eggs are then frozen and stored for potential future use.

Fertility preservation may also be discussed before certain medical treatments that could affect reproductive function. It is important to understand that egg freezing does not guarantee a future pregnancy and outcomes can vary based on factors including age at the time of freezing and the number of eggs stored.

While not every cause of infertility can be prevented, some everyday measures can support reproductive health.

• Track your menstrual cycle and understand when ovulation is likely to occur.
• Aim for a healthy weight, as being significantly underweight or overweight can affect ovulation and fertility.
• Avoid smoking and recreational drugs, and limit alcohol intake.
• Discuss regular medicines and supplements with your doctor if you are trying to conceive.
• Manage conditions such as thyroid disorders, diabetes or PCOS with appropriate medical care.
• Do not delay seeking help if there are known fertility concerns or you have been trying to conceive without success.

These steps can support overall health, but they should not replace medical evaluation when infertility is suspected.

The female infertility treatment cost in India depends on the treatment you need, the cause of infertility, medicines, investigations and any additional procedures recommended by your fertility specialist. Here is an estimated range:

Before starting treatment, ask your fertility centre for a clear breakdown of what is included in the quoted cost and whether medicines, tests or additional procedures are charged separately.

It may be time to consult a fertility specialist if:

• You are under 35 and have been trying to conceive for 12 months without success.
• You are 35 or older and have been trying for 6 months without success.
• Your periods are irregular, very infrequent or absent.
• You have been diagnosed with endometriosis, PCOS or another condition that may affect fertility.
• You have a history of pelvic surgery, pelvic infections or problems with your fallopian tubes.
• You have previously undergone fertility treatment without achieving pregnancy.
• You are concerned about your fertility and would like to understand your options before trying for longer.

A fertility evaluation can help identify possible causes early and give you a clearer understanding of the treatment options that may be suitable for you.