Infertility is a condition affecting millions of couples across the world. Deemed now as a grave health issue, it is estimated around 60-80 million couples worldwide suffer from infertility. Dr. R Charumathi is a renowned Gynecologist and Obstetrician with over 31+ years of experience in the field. A Gold Medalist – Best Outgoing Student Awardee as MD from Kasturba Medical College, Dr. R. Charumathi is a member of the Indian Medical Association and Tamil Nadu Medical Council.
Dr. R. Charumathi is a leading name in treating infertility and extends her expertise to other gynae related treatments including cosmetic labiaplasty and hymenoplasty. She is associated with Apollo Cradle and Apollo Women's Hospitals, Chennai. In addition, Dr. R.Charumathi treats fibroid removal myomectomy, sacrocolpopexy, adhesion surgery, diagnostic laparoscopy, hysteroscopy, endometrial ablation, Polypectomy, Myomectomy, Diagnostic hysterectomy, Hysterectomy, Anterior-Posterior Repair Colporrhaphy, repair Posterior repair, Bladder Slings (TOT and TVT slings), Colporrhaphy, LEEP - Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure, IUD Insertion - Intrauterine Device Insertion, Cervical polyp removal, IUI - Intrauterine Insemination, Male Factor Infertility, Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis – PGD, PGD.
Infertility Causes and its Symptoms
Statistics reveal that almost 10 to 15 percent of couples may suffer from infertility and are unable to bear children even after trying for over a year. It is difficult to pinpoint a particular cause for infertility. The reasons can range from lifestyle issues, stress, age to hormonal imbalances in one or both partners. However, it should be noted that both partners could be in perfect health and still not be able to conceive (unexplained infertility).
Again, there are no obvious symptoms of infertility except that conception does not occur. A woman may suffer from irregular menstrual cycles while a male might have issues with sexual function. But neither condition is a definitive symptom of infertility. However, it has been observed that some conditions can lead to infertility:
- Age 35 and over: Women over 35 and over may find it difficult to conceive
- Menstrual problems: Irregular, painful, or absent periods could be an indication of underlying problems
- Cancer: Treatments for cancer can affect reproductive health
- Miscarriages: Multiple miscarriages in the past
- Female sexual health: Endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease, fallopian tube blockage, etc
- Male sexual health: low sperm count, testicular or prostate problems, etc
- Genes: Infertility in the family
- Endocrine system disorders
The good news is that gynecologists and obstetricians can treat infertility with a very high success rate.
Infertility Tests
Technological advances have ensured the availability of myriad options to treat infertility. Treatments vary from hormone injections to ART or Assisted Reproductive Treatments, depending on the possible cause of infertility in a couple. However, before proceeding for treatment, tests need to be conducted to reach a diagnosis.
- Physical Evaluation: Specific tests are carried out for each partner to determine what could be standing in the way of conception for the couple. Both partners often have to undergo a physical evaluation first.
- Male Testing: Further tests such as sperm analysis to determine count and mobility, testicular biopsy, and/or vasography, etc may be required.
- Female Testing: Ovulation testing, ovarian reserve testing, and other imaging tests may be done to determine female sexual health.
Some tests are invasive in nature but are necessary to understand and treat infertility.
Infertility Treatment
Treatment may be required by one or both partners depending on the cause and diagnosis. All treatments are planned over a couple of months and some treatments such as IVF are extremely time-sensitive.
- Medications or hormones that help with ovulation in women
- Minor Surgical Procedures
- IUI or Intrauterine Insemination – In this process motile sperms are inserted directly into the uterus during the ovulation period
- IVF or In-vitro Fertilization – The process of fertilization occurs in a petri-dish and the embryo(s) are implanted in the uterus.
Conclusion
Infertility treatments are highly effective and nearly 5 million children in the world are born through ART such as IVF. Today, infertility treatment is sought by older couples, individuals who are not in a relationship, cancer survivors and HIV serodiscordant couples.
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