Infertility
Infertility Treatment

What is Infertility?

Infertility refers to the inability to conceive after one year of regular unprotected sexual intercourse. In order to get pregnant, a woman’s ovary must first release a mature egg (ovulation) which then needs to be fertilised by a man’s sperm. The fertilised egg (embryo) then travels down the fallopian tube and implants itself into the uterus. Anything that impairs any part of this intricate process can result in infertility.

What are the Common Causes of Infertility?

Infertility can affect either the man or the woman, or both. Here are some common causes of female infertility and male infertility:

Female infertility

Male infertility

How is Infertility Diagnosed?

Your fertility specialist will first review you and your partner’s medical history and lifestyle. He or she will then perform various diagnostic tests in order to assess your hormone levels and the condition of your reproductive organs. Other tests may include a semen analysis, laparoscopy, ovarian reserve testing, and more.

When Should I Seek Help?

You should seek medical attention if you are below 35 years old and have not gotten pregnant after a year of regular sexual intercourse without the use of contraception; or if you are above 35 years old and have not gotten pregnant after 6 months of regular sexual intercourse without the use of contraception. However, if you have any known fertility issues, it may be advisable to seek medical attention earlier.

How is Infertility Treated?

Fortunately, many cases of infertility can be treated with the help of a fertility doctor. Assisted reproduction techniques such as Superovulation Intra-Uterine Insemination (SOIUI) and In-Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) are available to improve infertile couples’ chances of conceiving.

FAQs on Infertility

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