Infertility: Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatment Options | Dr. Sayali Raiban

• Ovulation disorders: Conditions like Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) or premature ovarian failure can disrupt the regular release of eggs.
• Blocked fallopian tubes: Scarring from infections (like pelvic inflammatory disease), endometriosis, or previous surgeries can block the fallopian tubes, preventing fertilization.
• Endometriosis: This condition occurs when the tissue that normally lines the uterus grows outside it, often affecting fertility by causing inflammation and scarring.
• Uterine abnormalities: Structural problems in the uterus, such as fibroids or polyps, can interfere with embryo implantation or cause recurrent miscarriages.
• Age-related infertility: As a woman ages, the number and quality of her eggs decrease, making it harder to conceive.

• Low sperm count: Insufficient sperm production can lower the chances of fertilization.
• Poor sperm motility: Sperm may be unable to swim efficiently to reach the egg.
• Abnormal sperm morphology: Irregularly shaped sperm may struggle to penetrate the egg.
• Ejaculation disorders: Conditions like retrograde ejaculation (where semen enters the bladder instead of exiting through the penis) can cause infertility.
• Unexplained Infertility: In some cases, no specific cause for infertility is found despite comprehensive testing. This is known as unexplained infertility and can still be treated using various fertility treatments.

• Medical History: A detailed review of the couple's health, lifestyle, and family history is essential to identifying potential risk factors.
• Physical Examination: A pelvic exam for women and a genital exam for men help identify any visible issues affecting fertility.
• Ovulation Testing: For women, blood tests can measure hormone levels to assess whether ovulation is occurring regularly.
• Ultrasound: Transvaginal ultrasound can evaluate the ovaries and uterus, looking for conditions such as cysts, fibroids, or other abnormalities.
• Hysterosalpingography (HSG): This X-ray procedure checks if the fallopian tubes are open and if the uterus is in a healthy state.
• Semen Analysis: For men, a semen analysis is performed to assess sperm count, motility, and morphology.

• Ovulation induction: Drugs like clomiphene citrate or letrozole are prescribed to stimulate ovulation in women with irregular cycles or ovulation disorders.
• Hormonal treatments: In men, hormone treatments may be used to address issues related to low testosterone or other hormonal imbalances affecting sperm production.

• Laparoscopy: For conditions like endometriosis, fibroids, or blocked fallopian tubes, minimally invasive surgery can help restore fertility.
• Varicocele repair: In men, surgery to correct varicoceles (enlarged veins in the scrotum) can improve sperm quality.

• Intrauterine Insemination (IUI): This procedure involves placing washed sperm directly into the woman’s uterus at the time of ovulation, increasing the chances of fertilization.
• In Vitro Fertilization (IVF): IVF is one of the most effective treatments for infertility, where eggs are retrieved from the ovaries and fertilized with sperm in a lab. The resulting embryos are then transferred into the uterus for implantation.
• Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI): ICSI involves injecting a single sperm directly into an egg during IVF, often used when male infertility is a factor.

• Donor eggs or sperm: In cases of poor egg or sperm quality, using donor eggs or sperm may be an option.
• Surrogacy: When carrying a pregnancy is not possible, a surrogate may be used to carry the couple’s child.

Coping with Infertility
Dealing with infertility can be emotionally challenging for couples. At Sankalp Women's Hospital, Dr. Sayali Raiban emphasizes the importance of mental health support alongside medical treatment. Counseling and support groups can provide emotional relief and help couples navigate this difficult journey.