Understanding Infertility: Signs, Symptoms, And Treatment Options

Dr Sunitha Ilinani is a top IVF best doctor in Hyderabad; with 15-plus years of solid experience in the field of infertility treatment, she has helped countless couples to become a family throughout her career. She received her diploma in Advanced Reproductive Technology, in Germany and is an expert in providing various treatments including blastocyst culture, oocyte vitrification, PGT, etc.

Infertility is a medical condition characterised by the inability to conceive a child. This condition can affect both men and women. It can be diagnosed when couples are actively engaged in sexual intercourse for extended periods but unable to conceive. This can be particularly challenging and demotivating for those who wish to start a family. In this article, we will provide an overview of the signs, symptoms, and treatments for infertility.

Signs and Symptoms of infertility:

Inability to conceive – The most common sign of infertility is one's inability to achieve pregnancy despite regular intercourse over an extended period.
Irregular menstrual cycle – Women with irregular periods may experience suffering from painful periods which may have an underlying reproductive issue which could be a cause for infertility.
Hormonal imbalance – Hormonal imbalance can affect women reducing their sex drive and also affecting their overall wellness, which also can affect their fertility.
Discomfort during intercourse – In case you are suffering from pain during sex, it could be because of underlying ailments such as endometriosis or pelvic inflammatory disease.
Sperm analysis – Infertility can also be indicated by semen analysis which evaluates sperm count, motility, and morphology.

Treatment options for infertility:

Medication – Depending on the cause of infertility, medicines can be prescribed to stimulate ovulation in women or address hormonal imbalances in both men and women.

Intrauterine insemination – This procedure involves placing sperm into the uterus during ovulation to increase the possibility of fertilisation.

In-vitro fertilisation – It is a widely used reproductive technology which involves retrieval of eggs from the woman, fertilisation of eggs with sperm in a laboratory, and transferring of the embryo back into the uterus.

Surgical intervention – Certain cases of infertility may also require surgical procedures to correct the issue. Blocked fallopian tubes and varicoceles are some of the common issues that require such interventions

Assisted reproductive technologies – This process includes procedures like ICSI, where a single sperm is directly injected into an egg for fertility treatment.

Lifestyle changes – In certain cases, our lifestyle also has some major effect on our ability to conceive. Excess weight, excess alcohol, smoking, stress, and bad eating habits can also reduce infertility. Being in good health is also an important factor to enhance fertility.

It's important to note that the treatment depends on the underlying cause which can vary from one person to another. It is advisable to consult a healthcare professional who can provide accurate diagnosis and advise treatment plans according to the individual's condition. Last but not the least, do not lose hope and keep your goal in sight at all times.