Infertility Counselling
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Fertility Enhancing Surgeries - Female
Fertility Enhancing Surgeries - Male
Endoscopy Treatment
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Vitrification Egg, Embryo, Sperm Freezing
Preimplantation Genetic Testing (PGT)
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Infertility Assessment – Male
Contrary to many myths, infertility is not restricted to women. Issues with sperm quality and sperm production are a rising cause of infertility amongst couples. It is also likely that there is more than one cause of infertility. Thus, when a couple finds it difficult to conceive, both partners are advised to undergo fertility testing.
There are different tests that may be used to diagnose infertility and identify a cause for the same. It is important to remember that even with these tests, it is possible to not identify a reason for infertility in men. However, the most common tests administered are:
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Medical History and Physical Examination
The first step a doctor will take to diagnose infertility is to get a thorough understanding of the man’s medical history and the existence of any genetically inherited conditions that might affect fertility. The doctor will also examine the patient’s genitals to look for signs of injuries or infections.
Semen Analysis
Both the quantity and quality of sperm in semen play an important role in determining fertility. A semen analysis can indicate the concentration of sperm in the semen, the shape of sperm, average sperm motility and signs of infections if any. In most cases, more than one semen analysis may be needed to get an accurate picture of sperm health.
Scrotal Ultrasound
A scrotal ultrasound involves the use of sound waves to create an image of the reproductive organs on a computer screen. This allows the doctor to look for signs of a varicocele or any other such issues with the testicles.
Hormone Testing
Blood tests may be recommended to check the levels of testosterone and other such hormones that influence fertility.
Post-ejaculation Urinalysis
This test is used to check for the presence of sperm in the urine. If present, it could be a sign of retrograde ejaculation.
Genetic Tests
If the sperm count is very low, the doctor may suspect a genetic cause. Hence a genetic blood test may be advised to check for signs of genetic abnormalities in the Y chromosome as well as the existence of any other congenital disorders.
Specialised Sperm Function Tests
A number of other tests may also be advised to check how well the sperm behave after ejaculation. This determines if they have the ability to penetrate the egg and if there are any issues with how the sperm attaches itself to the egg.
Frequently Asked Questions
IVF was originally developed for women with blocked tubes or missing fallopian tubes and it is still the procedure of choice for these situations. It is also used when other conditions are present, including endometriosis, male factor infertility and unexplained infertility in which no medical cause for infertility can be found. Our experts will review your history and help to guide you to the treatment and diagnostic procedures that are most appropriate for you.
1/3rd of the infertility issues are contributed by the male partner. Male factors also influence increased rate of miscarriages. Most common causes of male infertility are as follows.
- Abnormal sperm count or low sperm motility
- Chronic ailments such as cancer
- Environmental factors: Exposure to radioactive chemicals
- Lifestyle factors: Being overweight, smoking, drinking alcohol
- Age
Infertility is gender neutral. It affects the male and the female population. 1/3rd of the infertility issues are contributed by the female partner. In the world 50-80 million suffer from infertility. Most common causes of female infertility are as follows.
- Age
- Endometriosis
- Hormonal issues leading to ovulation problems
- Tubal blockage
- Fibroids
- Lifestyle factors: Being overweight, smoking, drinking alcohol, unhealthy diet
- Unexplained infertility
Women are born with approximately 2 million eggs in their ovaries. Before a girl reaches puberty, about 11,000 eggs die every month. Thus, in her teenage years, a woman has only about 300,000 to 400,000 eggs available. From this point onwards, about 1000 eggs are utilised every month. This has nothing to do with any form of birth control, pregnancy, hormone production, health, lifestyle or nutritional supplements. Eventually, a woman reaches menopause when she has no viable eggs left.
PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome) refers to a condition caused by hormonal imbalances. Women suffering from PCOS produce higher than normal amounts of male hormones. This affects ovulation and can result in irregular periods. In some cases, women suffering from PCOS may have irregular periods. This, in turn, can make it harder for these women to conceive. In fact, PCOS is one of the most common causes of female infertility.
