Infertility Solutions in Mumbai: Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatment Options

Navigating infertility can be overwhelming, especially in a city like Mumbai, where many couples face unique challenges on their journey to start a family. If you're struggling with infertility, know that you’re not alone. Our comprehensive guide provides up-to-date insights on common causes and the latest treatment options for infertility in Mumbai.

What is Infertility?

Infertility, recognized by the WHO as a reproductive health condition, is when a couple cannot conceive after 12 months of unprotected sex. It can stem from male or female reproductive issues—or sometimes remains unexplained.

What Are the Types of Infertility?

Understanding the different types of infertility is the first step in addressing the issue and finding the right treatment or solutions. Here is a list of the types of infertility:

1. Primary Infertility: Couples who have never conceived.
2. Secondary Infertility: Difficulty conceiving again after a previous pregnancy.
3. Unexplained Infertility: HNo identifiable cause, yet treatment options like IVF can still offer hope.

What are the causes of infertility?

Infertility, affecting both men and women, has a range of causes. Understanding these factors can guide individuals in seeking effective diagnosis and treatment.

Causes of Female Infertility

These can include:

• Ovulation Disorders: Hormonal imbalances, including polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and thyroid disorders, can prevent the release of eggs.
• Uterine Issues: Uterine polyps, fibroids, or abnormalities in shape may hinder embryo implantation or block the fallopian tubes.
• Fallopian Tube Blockages: Often caused by infections like pelvic inflammatory disease, these blockages impede egg and sperm meeting.
• Endometriosis: Tissue growing outside the uterus can disrupt the function of reproductive organs.
• Primary Ovarian Insufficiency: Premature ovarian failure, often linked to genetics or immune issues, affects egg supply.
• Pelvic Adhesions: Scar tissue from infections or surgery can bind organs and impact fertility.

Causes of Male Infertility

These can include-

• Sperm Production Issues: Hormone imbalances, infections, or varicocele can affect sperm count and quality.
• Obstructions in Sperm Pathways: Conditions like cystic fibrosis or physical blockages can hinder sperm delivery.
• Environmental Factors: Chemicals, pesticides, and excessive heat can impact sperm health.
• Cancer Treatments: Radiation and chemotherapy may reduce sperm production.

Risk factors of infertility

There are a number of factors that contribute to the problem of infertility in men as well as women. In spite of some risk factors being inevitable, others can be controlled or reduced to a minimum. Here is a brief overview of the main risk factors for infertility that affect both males and females:

• Age: Fertility declines naturally with age, especially in women over 35 and men over 40. Women’s egg quality diminishes, leading to increased miscarriage risks, while men’s sperm quality may also decline with age.
• Lifestyle Factors: Smoking, excessive alcohol, and drug use all affect fertility. Smoking is linked to lower egg quality in women and sperm quality in men, while heavy alcohol use can lead to hormone imbalances and poor sperm production.
• Obesity and Poor Nutrition: Obesity disrupts hormone levels, often leading to ovulation problems in women and low testosterone in men. Being underweight or experiencing malnutrition also hinders fertility by causing hormonal imbalances that may prevent ovulation.
• Stress: Chronic stress can disrupt hormone production, impacting ovulation in women and sperm quality in men. Emotional strain linked to infertility itself can create a cycle that further affects reproductive health.
• Environmental Exposures: Prolonged exposure to chemicals like pesticides, heavy metals, and radiation can impair fertility in both genders. Jobs involving high levels of chemical exposure increase the risk of reproductive issues.
• Chronic Health Conditions: Conditions such as diabetes, thyroid disorders, autoimmune diseases, and sexually transmitted infections can interfere with reproductive health. For example, untreated STIs can cause fallopian tube damage in women and affect sperm production in men.

When to approach your healthcare provider?

People may consider speaking to a fertility specialist if they:

• are under 35 and have been trying to conceive for over a year without success
• are 35 or older and have been trying for 6 months without success
• are older than 40 and are considering pregnancy
• have irregular menstrual cycles outside of 21–35 days
• painful or absent menstrual cycles
• have known fertility issues
• have had two or more consecutive pregnancy losses
• have a partner with known fertility issues

How is Infertility Diagnosed

Diagnosing infertility is a step-by-step process that involves both medical evaluations and tests for both partners. It helps identify the specific reasons for difficulty in conceiving, and guides healthcare providers in recommending the most effective treatments.

Tests for men

Male fertility assessment focuses on sperm health and transport. Key diagnostic tests include:

• Semen Analysis: Lab checks sperm count, movement, and structure.
• Hormone Testing: Blood tests measure testosterone and other hormone levels.
• Genetic Testing: Detects genetic issues affecting fertility.
• Imaging and Biopsy: Ultrasound can identify structural issues in the reproductive organs, and biopsy (rarely used) can check for blockages or abnormalities

Tests for women

Female fertility diagnosis examines the health of eggs, reproductive tract, and hormone levels. Typical tests include:

• Ovulation Testing: Blood tests check hormone levels to confirm ovulation.
• Imaging: Ultrasound and hysterosalpingography assess uterine, ovarian, and fallopian tube health.
• Laparoscopy and Hysteroscopy: Minimally invasive procedures for viewing and treating reproductive organ issues.
• Hormone Tests and Ovarian Reserve Testing: Evaluate hormone levels that regulate ovulation and estimate egg supply.

What are the treatment options available for Infertility

Infertility treatment depends on:

• The cause of infertility.
• How long you've been infertile.
• Your age and your partner's age, if you have a partner.
• Personal preferences.

Some causes of infertility can't be corrected.

If pregnancy doesn't happen after a year of unprotected sex, couples often can still become pregnant through infertility treatments called assisted reproductive technology. But treatment can involve big financial, physical, emotional and time commitments.

Treatment Options for Male Infertility

• Lifestyle Changes: Improving diet, quitting smoking, limiting alcohol, and managing stress.
• Medications: Treat hormonal imbalances, infections, or sperm production issues.
• Surgery: For conditions like varicocele or blockages.
• Intrauterine Insemination (IUI): Directly placing sperm into the uterus.
• IVF with ICSI: Injecting a single sperm into an egg for severe male infertility cases.

Treatment Options for Female Infertility

• Lifestyle Modifications: Diet, weight management, and reducing alcohol/caffeine
• Fertility Medications: Clomid or Letrozole for ovulation; gonadotropins stimulate egg release.
• IUI and IVF: IUI places sperm near the egg; IVF fertilizes the egg outside the body before implantation.
• Surgery: Laparoscopy or hysteroscopy can treat structural issues or blockages in reproductive organs.

Can infertility be cured?

Yes, but it depends on the cause. In 85% to 90% of cases, lifestyle modification, medication, ART or surgery can treat infertility and allow a person to conceive.

What can I expect if I have infertility?

Almost nine out of the ten couples end up conceiving. If you are less fertile, the process may be slightly different, success rates are higher if the cause of infertility, the woman’s age, or other reasons are known.

Infertility in itself is difficult to experience due to its emotional, physical, financial, and mental side effects. Self-care comes in many forms and should be a regular practice, even in the most stressful of times.

Do not focus on infertility alone, but also add that one of the effective methods to cope with it is by being actively involved with the people who are intensely nurturing or if you want to be a member of an online support group. Being open with your friends who are in the same situation might be the most creative way of dealing with the situation.