Infertility

Infertility

Infertility is the inability to conceive after a period of one year of regular intercourse.

Epidemiology: There is a rising incidence of infertility in recent decades. Upto 27% of the world population may be suffering from infertility or subfertility.

Symptoms and causation:

➾ Polycystic ovarian diseaseis a symptom complex in which women present with infertility due to poor functioning of the ovaries.
➾ Endometriosis is a disease process in which the reproductive tract is involved giving rise to infertility.
➾ Ovarian cyst disturbs the anatomical relationship with each other and is a common reason for infertility.
➾ Infectious diseases commonly responsible for infertility are Tuberculosis and sexually transmitted diseases.
➾ Medical diseases like Diabetes, Thyroid hormone abnormality, Hormonal imbalance affect the ovarian function and are responsible for infertility.

Investigations

1. Hormonal profile ; serum Luteinising hormone (LH) ,Follicular stimulating Hormone (FSH), Thyroid Hormone, Glycosylated hemoglobin (HBA1C) . All the above tests are further evaluated depending on the success of medications.

2. Follicular study from day 9 is to be performed for evaluating the ovulation process.

Treatment

Diagnostic Laparoscopy and Hysteroscopy is not only a useful diagnostic tool but is also helpful for offering surgical treatment during the same procedure. It is therefore both a diagnostic and a therapeutic procedure.

Depending on the diagnosis reached the couple is offered following treatment options:

➾ Ovulation induction protocol using medication
➾ Intrauterine insemination
➾ In Vitro Fertilization / Assisted reproduction technique.