Primary Infertility Treatment in India

Symptoms of Primary Infertility

The most common sign is the inability to conceive despite having regular, unprotected sexual intercourse for at least one year (or after six months if the woman is 35 years or older). However, depending on the cause of the problem, one or both partners may experience additional symptoms.

In Women

Women with primary infertility may experience:

• Irregular, infrequent, or absent menstrual periods
• Very heavy or unusually light menstrual bleeding
• Painful periods or chronic pelvic pain
• Pain during sexual intercourse
• Symptoms of hormonal imbalance, such as acne or excessive facial and body hair (commonly seen in PCOS)
• Unexplained weight gain or difficulty losing weight
• Milky discharge from the breasts unrelated to breastfeeding
• Recurrent pregnancy loss in some cases associated with uterine abnormalities or
  hormonal disorders

In Men

Male infertility often has no noticeable symptoms until fertility testing is performed. However, some men may experience:

• Difficulty with ejaculation or sexual function
• Pain, swelling or a lump in the testicles
• Reduced facial or body hair due to hormonal imbalance
• A history of undescended testicles, infections, or previous surgery affecting the reproductive organs

Causes of Primary Infertility

Primary infertility can be caused by both male and female factors. Many times, unexplained infertility is also a cause where the exact reason for infertility is not known despite evaluation. 

Ovulation Disorders

One of the most common causes of infertility in women is ovulation disorders. For instance, conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), thyroid disorders, excessive prolactin production, or low ovarian reserve may cause difficulties in releasing an egg, thus making pregnancy difficult to achieve. 

Fallopian Tube Blockage

For the egg to be fertilised by the sperm, healthy fallopian tubes are important. Tubal obstruction resulting from pelvic infection, Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID), Endometriosis or abdominal surgery will make it impossible for the egg to be fertilised

Endometriosis

Endometriosis refers to the growth of tissue that resembles the uterine lining but develops outside the uterus. It may affect the ovaries, fallopian tubes or pelvic organs, which may lead to inflammation, adhesions, pain, and reduced fertility.

Uterine Abnormalities

Structural abnormalities such as a uterine septum, fibroids, adhesions, or congenital uterine anomalies may interfere with embryo implantation or increase the risk of pregnancy loss.

Male Factor Infertility

Nearly 50 % of infertility cases involve male reproductive factors. These can be low sperm count, poor sperm motility, abnormal sperm morphology, genetic disorders, hormonal imbalances, infections or structural abnormalities like varicocele.

Unexplained Infertility

In many cases, it happens that all fertility investigations come out normal but still pregnancy does not happen. This is known as unexplained infertility. Even if there is no clear cause, there are many effective fertility treatments that can significantly improve your chances.

Primary Infertility Treatment in India

The treatment for primary infertility is never the same for all. The right treatment is always individualised and depends on multiple factors. These can be the cause of the problem, the age of both partners, severity, previous medical history, and fertility goals. 

Fertility Evaluation

In order to treat primary infertility, it is necessary to understand the cause for which conception did not take place. A thorough investigation is done for both partners through various parameters. This involves their medical history, hormone tests, imaging studies, and fertility tests.

This process enables the fertility experts to diagnose the cause of infertility, whether there is a problem with ovulation, fallopian tube blockages, endometriosis, poor quality of sperm or if there is any unknown cause of infertility. This helps in creating a personalised treatment plan for better outcomes. 

Comprehensive Fertility Treatment Options

The goal of the treatment is to suggest the least invasive treatment that offers the best chance of conception. Depending on the diagnosis, treatment may involve one or a combination of the following:

• Lifestyle modifications and weight management
• Ovulation induction medications
• Hormonal therapy
• Surgical correction of uterine or tubal abnormalities
• Treatment for endometriosis
• Male infertility management
• Intrauterine Insemination (IUI)
• In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF)
• Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI)
• Donor sperm or donor eggs when medically indicated
• Fertility preservation in selected cases

Success Rates with Modern Fertility Treatments

The developments in reproductive medicine are proving to help enhance the chances of successful pregnancies among couples who face issues of primary infertility. However, factors that determine the success rate of treatment include the age of the woman, the woman’s ovarian reserve, the quality of the sperm, the duration of infertility, and the method of treatment used.

Early detection may help improve treatment results because it enables the treatment process to begin before further decline in fertility occurs. At Birla Fertility & IVF, our IVF success rates go up to 92%*.

(*Based on 1,030 OPU cases performed across Birla Fertility & IVF centres between April and September 2024. Individual results may vary.)