- What is infertility?
Infertility is the inability to conceive after 12 months of regular, unprotected intercourse.
- How common is infertility?
- What are the types of infertility?
- What are the common causes of infertility in women?
- What are the common causes of infertility in men?
- Low sperm count (oligospermia)
- Poor sperm motility (asthenospermia)
- Abnormal sperm morphology (teratospermia)
- Hormonal imbalances
- Genetic conditions (e.g., Klinefelter syndrome, Y chromosome microdeletions)
- Testicular problems (e.g., varicocele, undescended testes)
- Lifestyle factors (e.g., smoking, alcohol, obesity, toxins)
- What is combined infertility?
- What is unexplained infertility?
- What tests are done for female infertility?
- Hormonal tests (FSH, LH, AMH, prolactin, TSH)
- Ultrasound to evaluate ovaries and uterus
- Hysterosalpingography (HSG) to check fallopian tubes
- What tests are done for male infertility?
- Semen analysis (sperm count, motility, morphology)
- Hormonal testing (testosterone, FSH, LH)
- Scrotal ultrasound to check for varicocele or abnormalities
- Are there tests that both partners should do?
Genetic testing Infection screening (e.g., STDs)
- Can being overweight or underweight affect fertility?
- Can stress alone cause infertility?
- Does excessive exercise affect fertility?
- How does smoking or alcohol impact fertility?
- Can certain foods or herbal treatments boost fertility?
- Is infertility only a female problem?
- Can past surgeries affect fertility?
- How does PCOS affect fertility?
- Can thyroid disorders cause infertility?
- What is endometriosis, and how does it impact fertility?
- Can past abortions or contraceptive use cause infertility?
- Is IVF the only option for infertility?
- What treatments are available for infertility?
- Ovulation induction
- Intrauterine Insemination (IUI)
- In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)
- Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI)
- Donor eggs, sperm, or embryos
- Can infertility be cured?
- Does age affect fertility?
- What is cryopreservation?
- When should we seek fertility treatment?
- What are the common causes of infertility in couples?
Infertility can result from issues affecting either partner. Some common causes include:
Women: Ovulation disorders (PCOS, thyroid issues), blocked fallopian tubes, endometriosis, age-related decline in egg quality.
Men: Low sperm count, poor sperm motility, abnormal sperm shape.
Both: Unexplained infertility, lifestyle factors (smoking, obesity, stress).
- Can Women with Low AMH Still Get Pregnant?
- Why is male infertility testing important?
- Why should men abstain from ejaculation for 4 days before giving a sample?
- What are the main tests used to diagnose male infertility?
- How can I naturally improve my sperm quality?
- Does frequent ejaculation affect sperm count?
- Does age affect male fertility?
Yes, sperm quality declines after 40 years, increasing the risk of genetic abnormalities and infertility.
- Can stress affect sperm quality?
- Can diabetes affect male fertility?
- How long does it take to improve sperm quality?
- Which Treatment is Available for Nil Sperm Count?
Men with azoospermia (nil sperm count) can still father a child using advanced techniques like:
- TESA (Testicular Sperm Aspiration): A needle is used to extract sperm directly from the testicles.
- TESE (Testicular Sperm Extraction): A small tissue sample is taken from the testicles to retrieve sperm.
- If viable sperm is found, it can be used for ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection), where a single sperm is injected directly into an egg to achieve fertilization.
- What is Ovulation Induction (OI)?
- What is Timed Intercourse (TIC)?
- Who can benefit from OI-TIC?
- Women with irregular or absent periods
- Couples with mild infertility issues
- Partners with normal sperm health
- What is the best age group for OI-TIC?
- What are the steps involved in OI-TIC?
Step 1: Take prescribed medications to stimulate egg production.
Step 2: Undergo ultrasound scans to monitor egg growth.
Step 3: Receive a trigger injection to release the egg.
Step 4: Have intercourse at the right time for conception.
- How is monitoring done during OI-TIC?
- What is the fertile window?
- When does ovulation usually occur?
- How long can sperm and eggs survive?
- What are the chances of success with OI-TIC?
- How many cycles of OI-TIC might be needed?
- Can OI-TIC lead to twins?
- What if OI-TIC doesn’t work?
- Is OI-TIC a cost-effective fertility treatment?
- What is Intrauterine Insemination (IUI)?
- How does IUI improve the chances of pregnancy?
- Is IUI the same as IVF?
- Who is eligible for IUI?
– Women under 40 years old
– Women with regular ovulation or those responding to medications
– At least one open fallopian tube (confirmed via HSG)
– No major uterine abnormalities (e.g., fibroids, severe adhesions)
– Men with mild to moderate sperm issues (not severe male infertility)
- Who is a good candidate for IUI?
– Couples with unexplained infertility
– Women with ovulatory disorders like PCOS
– Cases of mild to moderate male factor infertility
– Women with cervical factor infertility
– Women using donor sperm
- Who is NOT eligible for IUI?
– Women with blocked or damaged fallopian tubes
– Severe endometriosis
– Women with low ovarian reserve (high FSH, low AMH)
– Severe male factor infertility (very low count, poor motility)
– Those with repeated IUI failures (may require IVF)
- What are the steps involved in an IUI cycle?
Day 1: Start of menstrual cycle
Day 2-3: Ultrasound to check resting ovaries
Day 3-7: Medications or injections for follicle growth
Day 10-13: Monitoring of follicle growth via ultrasound
Day 13: Trigger shot to induce ovulation
Day 14-15: IUI procedure
Day 28: Pregnancy test
- How does IUI work?
- Egg production: Medications stimulate ovulation.
- Monitoring: Ultrasounds track follicle development.
- Sperm washing: Best-quality sperm is separated for insemination.
- Insemination: Washed sperm is inserted into the uterus using a thin tube.
- Pregnancy test: Done two weeks after the procedure.
- Is IUI painful?
- How should women prepare for IUI?
- How should men prepare for IUI?
- What precautions should be taken after IUI?
- What symptoms are normal after IUI?
- When should I call my doctor after IUI?
- What is the success rate of IUI?
- What factors affect IUI success?
- How many IUI cycles are usually needed?
- Does IUI increase the chances of twins?
- How soon can I resume normal activities after the procedure?
- How soon can I take a pregnancy test after IUI ?
- How soon can I have sexual intercourse after IUI?
- Can intercourse after IUI interfere with the success of the procedure?
- What is IUI with donor sperm?
- Who needs IUI with donor sperm?
- Where does the donor sperm come from?
- Is donor sperm safe to use?
- What qualities are tested in a sperm donor?
- Are sperm donors anonymous?
- What is IVF?
- When should I consider IVF?
IVF is recommended if:
– Other fertility treatments have failed.
– Fallopian tubes are blocked.
– Male infertility (low sperm count or motility) is present.
– Unexplained infertility has lasted for a long time.
– The woman is older and has reduced egg quality.
- When is the right time to start IVF?
- What tests are required before IVF?
Before starting IVF, you and your partner will undergo:
– Ovarian reserve testing (AMH blood test, ultrasound)
– Semen analysis (sperm count, motility, shape)
– Infectious disease screening (HIV, Hepatitis B & C, syphilis)
– Uterine cavity evaluation (ultrasound, hysteroscopy if needed)
– Genetic testing (if indicated due to history of miscarriages or inherited diseases)
- How long does an IVF cycle take?
A full IVF cycle takes 4-6 weeks, including:
– Ovarian stimulation (10-14 days)
– Egg retrieval
– Fertilization
– Embryo transfer
– Pregnancy test (10-14 days later)
- How many times can we try IVF?
- Is IVF safe?
- How long does an IVF cycle take?
- How does the IVF process work?
– Ovarian stimulation – Hormonal injections stimulate egg production.
– Egg retrieval – Eggs are collected under sedation.
– Sperm collection & fertilization – The eggs are fertilized with sperm in the lab using IVF or ICSI.
– Embryo development – The fertilized eggs grow for 3-5 days.
– Embryo transfer – The best embryo(s) are placed in the uterus.
– Pregnancy test – Blood test is done 10-14 days later.
- When should fertility injections be started?
- What if I miss a fertility injection?
- How long do IVF injections last?
- Why is it important to arrive on time for egg pickup?
- Does the number of follicles seen in scans equal the number of eggs retrieved?
- Why are not all retrieved eggs used for fertilization?
- Is the egg retrieval process painful?
- How is sperm collected?
- How are embryos monitored after fertilization?
Day 1: Fertilization check
Day 2-3: Embryos divide (4-8 cells)
Day 5-6: Best embryos reach the blastocyst stage and are ready for transfer or freezing.
- How are eggs fertilized?
- What happens after eggs are fertilized?
- What happens if embryo development is slow?
- How is the recipient’s uterus prepared for embryo transfer?
- How do I know if my uterus is ready for embryo transfer?
- How is the embryo transfer performed?
- How many embryos will be implanted?
- What happens if I test negative after IVF?
The doctor may:
– Review implantation issues
– Adjust treatment protocols
– Recommend another cycle or alternative options
- When is the pregnancy test done after IVF?
- What happens to extra embryos?
- What precautions should I take after embryo transfer?
- When can I resume work after embryo transfer?
- Can I travel after embryo transfer?
- What are my chances of pregnancy with IVF?
– 15-20% per cycle with IUI
– 40-50% per cycle with IVF/ICSI
– 50-60% with donor eggs, embryo donation, or surrogacy
The cumulative success rate increases with multiple attempts.
- Why do I need to repeat the pregnancy test?
- Is it normal to feel bloated after IVF?
- Is it normal to have cramps after IVF embryo transfer?
- Can I have sexual intercourse after embryo transfer?
- Are there any food restrictions?
- Can I exercise after embryo transfer?
- How long should I wait before trying another IVF cycle?
- Are IVF babies healthy?
- Can gender selection be done with IVF?
- What factors affect IVF success?
– Maternal age (chances decline after 35)
– Embryo quality (better-quality embryos increase success)
– Sperm health (count, motility, and shape matter)
– Uterine health (a healthy uterus improves implantation chances)
- What medications will I need?
– Ovarian stimulation drugs (FSH, LH) to produce multiple eggs
– Medications to prevent premature ovulation (Lupron, Cetrotide)
– Hormones to prepare the uterus (Progesterone, Estradiol)
- What if my IVF cycle is canceled?
A cycle may be canceled if:
– Not enough follicles develop
– Premature ovulation occurs (rare)
– Poor response to medications
If this happens, your doctor may adjust the protocol for your next cycle.
- Can I travel after IVF or IUI treatment?
- Can I exercise during IVF?
- Can I take alternative medicines during IVF?
- Can I sleep in any position after embryo transfer?
- Does climbing stairs affect IVF success?
- What is the Maximum Age for IVF?
- Can I color my hair, use henna, or get a tattoo?
- Are There Any Side Effects of IVF?
Yes, some mild side effects can occur during and after IVF, including:
– Bloating and cramping (due to ovarian stimulation)
– Breast tenderness (caused by hormonal medications)
– Constipation or mild discomfort
– Mood swings (due to hormonal changes)
– Most side effects occur before egg retrieval and are temporary. Severe complications, like Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS), are rare but should be reported to your doctor.
- How Long Does the IVF Process Take?
The entire IVF cycle takes about 4-6 weeks, including:
– Ovarian stimulation – 10-14 days (hormonal injections to develop eggs)
– Egg retrieval – Performed under mild sedation
– Fertilization & embryo development – 3-5 days in the lab
– Embryo transfer – Done after 3-5 days of fertilization
– Pregnancy test – 10-14 days after embryo transfer
- Can I Continue My Routine Activities After Embryo Transfer?
- What Makes IVF an Expensive Treatment?
- When Should I Opt for IVF?
- Why Did My IVF Cycle Fail?
- What Food Restrictions Should I Follow During IVF?
- How Many IVF Cycles Are Needed to Achieve Pregnancy?
- What is the Difference Between Fresh and Frozen Embryo Transfer?
- Are There Any Time-Sensitive Medications Involved?
Yes, some medications must be taken at precise times, including:
– Trigger injection (for egg maturation)
– Progesterone and estrogen supplements (for uterine lining support)
– Following the schedule exactly is crucial for IVF success.
- What is the ‘Trigger Injection’?
- For How Long Can We Keep the Embryos Frozen?
- Can Freezing Embryos for a Long Time Affect Success Rates?
- How Many Times Do We Need to Visit the Hospital If We Live Out of Station?
Typically, 4-5 visits are needed:
– Pre-IVF consultation and testing , in-between stimulation for scans
– Egg retrieval procedure
– Scan before embryo transfer, Embryo transfer
- How many IVF cycles are usually needed for success?
- What if the IVF cycle fails?
If implantation does not occur, the doctor may recommend:
– Another IVF cycle with adjustments
– Frozen embryo transfer (if embryos were preserved)
– Additional testing (e.g., Endometrial Receptivity Analysis – ERA)
- What happens if I don’t produce enough eggs during IVF?
The doctor may:
– Adjust medications
– Consider a second stimulation cycle
– Suggest donor eggs
- Can I have twins with IVF?
- What is a natural IVF cycle?
- What is Endometrial Receptivity Analysis (ERA)?
- What is Dual Stimulation in IVF?
- Is IVF covered by insurance in India?
- What is Preimplantation Genetic Testing (PGT)?
- Why is PGT done?
- Does PGT guarantee a healthy baby?
- What are the different types of PGT?
PGT-A (Aneuploidy): Detects extra or missing chromosomes (e.g., Down syndrome).
PGT-M (Monogenic Disorders): Screens for specific genetic diseases (e.g., cystic fibrosis, sickle cell anemia).
PGT-SR (Structural Rearrangements): Identifies chromosomal structural issues (e.g., translocations, inversions).
- Who should consider PGT?
- How is PGT performed?
Step 1: Eggs are retrieved and fertilized in the lab.
Step 2: A small number of cells are biopsied from embryos on Day 5 or 6.
Step 3: The cells are sent to a lab for genetic testing.
Step 4: Only healthy, genetically normal embryos are transferred into the uterus.
- Is PGT safe for embryos?
- How long do PGT results take?
- What are the benefits of PGT?
- How does PGT improve IVF success?
- Is PGT necessary for all IVF patients?
- Does PGT affect the cost of IVF?
- What if all my embryos are abnormal after PGT-A?
The doctor may recommend:
– A new IVF cycle
– Egg donation
– Exploring alternative options
- Can I use PGT for gender selection?
- What is IVF with donor eggs?
- Who needs IVF with donor eggs?
- Women with poor egg quality or low ovarian reserve
- Women over 40 years with decreased fertility
- Those with genetic conditions they wish to avoid passing on
- Women who have had repeated IVF failures
- Women with premature ovarian failure
- How is IVF with donor eggs different from regular IVF?
- How is an egg donor selected?
- Are egg donors screened for diseases?
- Can I choose my egg donor?
- What are the steps in IVF with donor eggs?
Step 1: Donor selection and screening
Step 2: Fertilization of the donor’s eggs with sperm
Step 3: Preparation of the recipient’s uterus with hormonal treatments
Step 4: Embryo transfer to the recipient’s uterus
- What is the success rate of IVF with donor eggs?
- Will my baby be genetically related to me if I use donor eggs?
- Will my baby look like me if I use donor eggs ?
- Are there legal considerations for using donor eggs?
- Is the identity of the egg donor disclosed to the recipient?
- Do intended parents have full rights over the child born through donor eggs?
- What happens to unused donor embryos?
- What is IVF with donor sperm?
- Who needs IVF with donor sperm?
- Where does the donor sperm come from?
- How is a sperm donor selected?
- How is the sperm prepared for IVF?
- How does IVF with donor sperm work?
Step 1: Ovarian stimulation (hormonal injections for egg development)
Step 2: Egg retrieval from the woman’s ovaries
Step 3: Fertilization with donor sperm in a lab
Step 4: Embryo culture and development
Step 5: Embryo transfer to the uterus
Step 6: Pregnancy test after 12-14 days
- What is the success rate of IVF with donor sperm?
- Will my child be genetically related to me if I use donor sperm?
- Does the sperm donor have any legal rights over the child?
- What is IVF with donor embryos?
- Who needs donor embryos?
- How are donor embryos created?
- How are egg and sperm donors screened?
- Can I choose my egg and sperm donors?
- What is the success rate of donor embryo IVF?
- Will the baby be genetically related to me if I use donor embryos?
- Does the donor have any legal rights to the child?
- What are the legal requirements for using donor embryos?