Female Infertility Treatment

Female Infertility Treatment in India: From Despair to Hope

Female infertility treatment is a common condition in which a female is unable to become pregnant or have a successful pregnancy. It is diagnosed when a woman tries to get pregnant for 12 months without a pregnancy. Infertility can result from female factors, male factors, or a combination of both. Female factors cause infertility 33 percent of the time. Characteristics can include ovulation dysfunction, anatomical problems, endometriosis, uterine defects, and immunological problems.

In this detailed article, we will discuss female infertility and why you should get its treatment from India.

What happens under normal conditions?

New life begins when a sperm fertilizes an egg. Ovulation occurs when an egg is released from one of the ovaries, which happens 14 days before the start of menstrual period.
The egg then goes to the fallopian tube and towards the uterus. If the egg gets fertilized, pregnancy begins.

The monthly chance of a young, fertile couple conceiving is approximately 25 %. If there is no pregnancy after 12 months of trying, then there may be a fertility issue.

Female Infertility Causes

Ovulation problem

● For ovulation to occur, the hypothalamus prompts the pituitary gland that triggers ovaries to release eggs.
● Irregular or absent periods indicate that there are problems with ovulation.

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

PCOS is the most common hormonal condition affecting women in their reproductive years. Irregular periods are the main symptom of this condition.

Problem with fallopian tube

The egg is fertilized in the fallopian tube. A blocked fallopian tube does not allow the egg to meet the sperm.

Problem with uterus

The fertilized egg implants in the lining of the uterus. Certain conditions that do not allow implantation to happen are:

● Fibroids: They are non-malignant tumors inside the womb
● Polyps: They are small protrusions that grow in the uterus lining.

Problems with Cervix

The entrance to the uterus is called the cervix. The ejaculated sperm must travel through the cervix to reach the fallopian tubes. During ovulation, the cervix mucus is thin, which allows the sperm to swim. However, when cervix mucus becomes thick, it can block the sperm.

Endometriosis

It is a condition in which cells from the uterus lining migrate to the pelvis. It can damage the fallopian tube and affect the movement of egg and sperm.

Who is at risk?

Many factors increase the risk of female infertility. General health conditions, inherited traits, lifestyle choices, and age can also contribute to female infertility.
Specific factors include:
● Age
● Hormonal imbalance
● Abnormal menstrual cycle
● Obesity
● Being underweight
● Having a lot of body fat
● Endometriosis
● Cysts
● Tumors
● Autoimmune disorders
● Sexually transmitted infections
● PCOS
● Excessive drinking
● Smoking

What is the effect of age on female infertility?

As a woman ages, her chances of becoming pregnant decrease. Generation is becoming a more common factor in female infertility because many couples wait till their 30s and 40s to have babies. Women who are above 35 years start facing fertility issues because:
● The overall number of eggs is low
● Eggs have abnormal chromosomes
● Health conditions that develop after 35 years of age

Tests for female infertility

Female fertility tests include;

● A physical examination
● Blood test
● Diagnostic Laparoscopy
● Ultrasound scans
● Ovulation Testing
● Ovarian reserve testing

Hormonal Assay For Female Infertility

Hormonal assays play a crucial role in the assessment of female infertility. These tests help identify hormonal imbalances that may be contributing to fertility issues. Here are some standard hormonal assays performed for the evaluation of female infertility:
Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH): Elevated FSH levels may indicate diminished ovarian reserve
Luteinizing Hormone (LH): Abnormal levels of LH can affect the timing and regularity of ovulation.
Estradiol: Elevated or low levels of estradiol can indicate problems with ovarian function
Progesterone: Low progesterone levels can result in implantation failure.
Anti-Mullerian Hormone (AMH): Low AMH levels may suggest diminished ovarian reserve.
Thyroid Function Tests (TSH, Free T4, Free T3): Thyroid hormones regulate the menstrual cycle. Abnormal thyroid function affects fertility.
Prolactin: Elevated prolactin levels, a hormone responsible for milk production, can interfere with ovulation.
Testosterone: Testosterone is a male sex hormone that is also in smaller amounts in females. Imbalances in testosterone levels can affect ovarian function.

Insulin and Glucose: Insulin resistance and abnormalities in glucose metabolism may be associated with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a common cause of female infertility.
17-hydroxyprogesterone (17-OHP): Elevated levels of 17-OHP may be associated with conditions such as congenital adrenal hyperplasia, which can affect fertility.

Female Infertility Treatment Available in India

The treatment for female infertility in India depends upon the following factors:
● Age
● Period of infertility
● Personal preferences

Female infertility treatments available in India either attempt to restore fertility through medication or help you get pregnant via sophisticated techniques.

Option 1: Medications

Medications that regulate ovulation are known as fertility drugs. They are the primary treatment option for women who are infertile due to ovulation disorders. Fertility drugs work like natural hormones like FSH and LH to trigger ovulation. They are also used to improve the quality of the eggs.

Option 2 Surgery

Any obstruction in female reproductive organs can cause female infertility as a result of uterine fibroids, polyps, or tubal blockages. These conditions can be addressed via laparoscopic surgery.

Option 3: Assisted Reproductive Techniques

These techniques involve retrieving eggs from ovaries and handling eggs and sperm in a laboratory. ART involves hormone stimulation to make ovaries produce several eggs rather than one that matures every month. When the eggs are ready, they are retrieved using an ultrasound-guided procedure. It includes the following technologies:

Intrauterine Insemination (IUI)

Known as Intrauterine Insemination, it may be combined with ovulation. IUI is a technology in which washed sperm is deposited via a syringe into the uterus and fallopian tubes, where fertilization occurs.

In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF)

In this technique, your doctor will place embryos into your uterus that were fertilized outside in the lab. The doctor will prescribe gonadotropins that trigger the development of more than one egg. When the eggs mature, your doctor will take them out using an ultrasound-guided procedure.

Sperms are collected, washed, and added to the dish with eggs. Several days later, when eggs get fertilized sperm, they are put in the female uterus with a device known as an intrauterine insemination catheter.

Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI)

Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) is a highly specialized assisted reproductive technology that has revolutionized the landscape of female infertility treatments. It is an advanced procedure that is used when IVF is unable to overcome fertility challenges.

Let’s delve into the intricacies of this procedure.

Ovulation Stimulation: The process begins by giving hormone injections to stimulate the production of eggs in the woman’s ovaries.

Egg Retrieval: Once the eggs are mature, a minor surgical procedure called egg retrieval is performed under anesthesia.

Sperm Collection: Simultaneously, sperm samples are collected, either from the male partner or a sperm donor.

Microinjection: A single, high-quality sperm is selected and directly injected into the cytoplasm of a mature egg using a specialized micropipette.

Culturing Embryos: Following the microinjection, the fertilized eggs (now embryos) are cultured for a few days under controlled laboratory conditions.

Embryo Transfer: Once the embryos reach an optimal stage of development, one or more are carefully selected and transferred into the woman’s uterus

When is ICSI performed?

ICSI is particularly recommended in cases where traditional fertilization methods may be compromised

● ICSI is often chosen when male partners have low sperm count or sperm are non-motile.
● Previous IVF Failure
● Unexplained Infertility:
● Advanced Maternal Age:
● Bad reproductive health in women

Gamete Intrafallopian Tube Transfer(GIFT)

GIFT stands for gamete intrafallopian tube transfer. The procedure involves retrieving an egg and combining it with a sperm in the lab. It is then inserted into the female fallopian tube.

ZygoteI Intrafallopian Transfer (ZIFT)

ZIFT stands for zygote intrafallopian transfer. In this procedure, the doctor will place zygotes in your fallopian tubes within 24 hours after fertilizing outside the body.

Option 4: Egg Donation

This can help you if you are unable to get pregnant because you have a problem with your ovaries or the quality of eggs produced by your ovaries is not good. It involves removing eggs from the ovary of the donor, and after IVF, the fertilization will be transferred into your uterus.

Egg Freezing and Fertility Preservation

When women face medical treatments like chemotherapy or radiation that might affect their fertility, they can choose to freeze their eggs. This means the eggs are stored for later use. It’s like hitting pause on the biological clock. This option gives women a chance to have children in the future, even if medical treatments impact their fertility.

Role of Lifestyle Factors in Female Fertility

What you eat, how much you exercise, and how you manage stress can affect your ability to have a baby. Eating a healthy diet, staying active, and finding ways to relax can positively impact your reproductive health. On the flip side, poor lifestyle choices can sometimes make it harder to get pregnant.

Role of Zinc and Folic Acid for female infertility

Zinc and folic acid play essential roles in female infertility treatment.

Zinc

● Improves ovarian function
● Aids fertilization
● Regulates hormones and menstrual cycle

Folic Acid
● Helps in fetal development
● Improves fertility

Affordability and Accessibility of Fertility Treatments in India

Getting fertility treatments can be costly, and it’s essential to know what you’re getting into. In India, some places might be more affordable, and support and resources might be available. Accessibility is about ensuring these treatments are open to everyone, regardless of where they live or how much money they have. It’s about fairness and making family-building options accessible to many people.

Preventing Female Infertility

For women thinking of getting pregnant soon, these tips will help you stay fertile:
● Maintain healthy weight
● Quit smoking
● Avoid Alcohol
● Reduce Stress

Prognosis

Just because you have female infertility issues does not mean that you cannot have your child. There are many treatment options available in India. If you work with your partner and an experienced gynecologist, you can increase the chances of conception.

Top Hospitals and Doctors Treating Female Infertility in India

How can you avail yourself of the best Female Fertility Treatment in India?

Cross Border Care is here for you if you are looking for trustworthy treatment consultants in India. We will help you find the best doctor in India and get your treatment done for JCI-accredited hospitals at the most pocket-friendly rates. Our team includes experienced medical professionals with you at each treatment step. So, if you are planning your female infertility treatment in India, fill out the form below, and we will help you choose the best doctor and hospital providing state-of-the-art technology.

We will help you to find the best Female Infertility Treatment Doctors in India.