Infertility is defined as not being able to get pregnant after one year of unprotected sex. Infertility may result from an issue of either husband or wife or a combination of factors. There are two types of infertilities. Primary infertility and secondary infertility.

Primary infertility : A couple is not being able to conceive after unprotected sex.

Secondary infertility : A couple who have been able to get pregnant atleast once, thereafter not able to get pregnant.

When to consult a doctor?

If a couple is not able to get pregnant even after one year of unprotected sex. But if the age of the female partner is above 35, only need to wait for six months and then consult a doctor. But if the female partner is above 40, consult immediately and take proper treatment or adequate vitamins and hormones. Since the egg quality in females decreases with age, treatment should start as early as possible for aged couples.

How to evaluate infertility?

It's important to evaluate both the parties for getting proper treatment and results. Surgical and medical treatments are there. For wife, an ultrasound scan is used to diagnose pelvic region and uterus. By this way, they can evaluate reproductive organs. This helps to understand, is there any uterine fibroids, ovarian cyst is presents and prevent pregnancy? Endometriosis and polycyatic ovarian desease is found using ultrasound.Further treatment is decided according to the scan report.Also hormonal test or blood sample is taken to evaluate the hormonal levels such as estrogen, progesteone levels & antimullarian hormone.Not only hormonal levels but also sugar test is also done. A normal sugar level is essential for good quality eggs.

For husband, semen analysis test is used to evaluate the sperm parameters. Sometimes, a scrotal ultrasound is done to verify the vericoscile. In severe vericoscile cases, sperm DNA fragmentation index test is performed to test whether sperms are genetically normal.

Treatment starts after identifying the route cause. But for some couples, not able to get pregnant even though all the test results are normal.This is called unexplained infertility.

Treatment plans will be different for different couples according to their issues. But in some cases, lifestyle changes alone can bring positive result. Take adequate sleep, proper excercise, eat healthy, maintain a good body mass index, these are the tips for every infertile couples.

Now let us look for the treatment options for unexplained infertility.For those couple, a follicular study is ordered for female partner. In females, in each menstrual cycle a matured egg is related from ovary. This process is called ovolution. Follicular study is used to diagnose the size of this matured egg, is it enough for fertilization ? Tablet is given for female partner for 5 days from day 2 of menstrual cycle to boost up ovolution process. Then asked to perform sexual intercourse on ovolution days. This will boost the pregnancy chance. This is the first treatment step. Majority of couple will get a positive result due to this treatment option.

Others will go for next option.That will discuss in next blog..