Infertility is the inability to conceive after 12 months of regular, unprotected intercourse for women under 35, or after 6 months for women aged 35 and above.

How common is infertility in India?

Infertility affects approximately 10–15% of married couples in India, with numbers rising due to lifestyle changes, delayed marriages, and environmental factors.

Is infertility only a female problem?

No. Male factors account for about 40% of infertility cases, female factors for another 40%, and the remaining 20% are due to combined or unexplained causes.

What is primary infertility?

Primary infertility refers to couples who have never been able to conceive a pregnancy despite trying for at least one year.

What is secondary infertility?

Secondary infertility is the inability to conceive or carry a pregnancy to term after previously having a successful pregnancy.

When should a couple seek medical help for infertility?

Couples under 35 should seek help after 12 months of trying. Women over 35 should consult after 6 months. Seek help immediately if you have known conditions like PCOS, endometriosis, or a history of miscarriages.

Can infertility be temporary?

Yes. Many causes of infertility — such as hormonal imbalances, infections, or lifestyle factors — can be treated, making infertility temporary in many cases.

Does infertility mean I can never have a child?

No. With modern treatments like IUI, IVF, ICSI, and donor programmes, the majority of infertile couples can achieve parenthood.

Is infertility hereditary?

Some causes of infertility, such as PCOS, endometriosis, premature ovarian failure, or genetic chromosomal issues, can have a hereditary component.

What is unexplained infertility?

Unexplained infertility is diagnosed when standard fertility tests for both partners return normal results but conception still does not occur. It accounts for about 10–15% of all infertility cases.

Can stress alone cause infertility?

While stress alone is unlikely to cause infertility, chronic stress can disrupt hormonal balance, affect ovulation, reduce sperm quality, and lower the chances of conception.

Does age affect fertility?

Yes. Female fertility declines significantly after age 35, and more sharply after 40. Male fertility also declines gradually with age, typically after 40–45.

What is the difference between infertility and sterility?

Infertility means difficulty in conceiving and is often treatable. Sterility means a permanent inability to conceive naturally, such as after surgical removal of reproductive organs.

Can couples with infertility still conceive naturally?

Yes. Some couples with infertility diagnoses do conceive naturally over time, especially if the underlying cause is addressed through lifestyle changes or medication.

What is subfertility?

Subfertility refers to reduced fertility where conception is possible but takes longer than average. It is less severe than infertility and often responds well to treatment.

What are the most common causes of female infertility?

Common causes include ovulation disorders (like PCOS), blocked fallopian tubes, endometriosis, uterine fibroids, hormonal imbalances, and age-related egg quality decline.

What is PCOS and how does it affect fertility?

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal disorder that causes irregular ovulation or no ovulation. It is one of the most common causes of female infertility in India.

Can endometriosis cause infertility?

Yes. Endometriosis causes tissue similar to the uterine lining to grow outside the uterus, leading to inflammation, scarring, and blocked fallopian tubes, all of which can impair fertility.

How do blocked fallopian tubes cause infertility?

Blocked tubes prevent the egg from meeting sperm, making natural fertilisation impossible. Causes include pelvic infections, endometriosis, or previous surgeries.

What is premature ovarian failure?

Premature ovarian failure (or primary ovarian insufficiency) occurs when the ovaries stop functioning normally before age 40, leading to reduced egg production and hormonal changes.

Can uterine fibroids affect fertility?

Yes. Fibroids — especially those that distort the uterine cavity (submucosal fibroids) — can interfere with embryo implantation and increase the risk of miscarriage.

Anovulation means the ovaries do not release an egg during a menstrual cycle. Without ovulation, natural conception is not possible. It is commonly caused by PCOS, thyroid disorders, or stress.

Can thyroid problems cause infertility?

Yes. Both hypothyroidism (underactive) and hyperthyroidism (overactive) can disrupt menstrual cycles, affect ovulation, and increase the risk of miscarriage.

What is diminished ovarian reserve?

Diminished ovarian reserve means the ovaries have fewer eggs than expected for a woman's age. It is diagnosed through blood tests (AMH, FSH) and antral follicle count on ultrasound.

How does age affect egg quality?

As women age, their eggs accumulate more chromosomal abnormalities. After 35, the rate of abnormal eggs increases significantly, reducing the chances of successful fertilisation and healthy pregnancy.

Can pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) lead to infertility?

Yes. PID is an infection of the reproductive organs, often caused by untreated STIs. It can cause scarring and damage to the fallopian tubes, leading to infertility.

What is a uterine septum and does it affect fertility?

A uterine septum is a wall of tissue dividing the uterus. It can reduce the space for embryo implantation and is associated with higher rates of miscarriage and preterm delivery.

Can cervical issues cause infertility?

Yes. Cervical stenosis (narrow cervix), insufficient cervical mucus, or previous cervical surgeries can make it difficult for sperm to reach the egg.

Do ovarian cysts affect fertility?

Simple ovarian cysts are usually harmless and resolve on their own. However, cysts related to endometriosis (endometriomas) or PCOS can affect fertility.

Can previous abortions cause infertility?

A properly performed abortion typically does not cause infertility. However, rare complications like infections or uterine scarring (Asherman's syndrome) can affect future fertility.

What is Asherman's syndrome?

Asherman's syndrome involves adhesions (scar tissue) inside the uterus, usually from previous surgeries like D&C. It can cause reduced menstrual flow, pain, and infertility.

Can being overweight cause infertility in women?

Yes. Excess weight can disrupt hormonal balance, cause irregular ovulation, increase insulin resistance, and lower IVF success rates.

Can being underweight cause infertility?

Yes. Being significantly underweight can cause the body to stop ovulating (hypothalamic amenorrhea) due to insufficient body fat to support reproductive hormones.

What role does prolactin play in female infertility?

Elevated prolactin (hyperprolactinemia) can suppress ovulation and disrupt menstrual cycles. It is treatable with medication in most cases.

Can autoimmune disorders cause infertility?

Yes. Conditions like lupus, antiphospholipid syndrome, and autoimmune thyroid disease can affect fertility by causing inflammation, hormonal disruption, or recurrent pregnancy loss.

What are the common causes of male infertility?

Common causes include low sperm count, poor sperm motility, abnormal sperm shape, varicocele, hormonal imbalances, infections, genetic factors, and lifestyle issues.

What is a low sperm count?

A sperm count below 15 million sperm per millilitre of semen is considered low (oligospermia). It reduces the probability of fertilising an egg naturally.

Azoospermia is the complete absence of sperm in the ejaculate. It can be obstructive (blockage) or non-obstructive (production issue) and may require surgical sperm retrieval for IVF/ICSI.

What is varicocele and how does it affect fertility?

Varicocele is the enlargement of veins within the scrotum. It raises testicular temperature, which can reduce sperm production, motility, and quality. It is the most common correctable cause of male infertility.

Can lifestyle habits affect male fertility?

Yes. Smoking, excessive alcohol, drug use, obesity, prolonged heat exposure (hot tubs, laptops on lap), and a sedentary lifestyle can all negatively impact sperm quality and count.

Does age affect male fertility?

Yes. While men produce sperm throughout life, sperm quality, motility, and DNA integrity decline after age 40–45, increasing the time to conception and risk of genetic abnormalities.

Can infections cause male infertility?

Yes. Infections like epididymitis, orchitis, or sexually transmitted infections can cause inflammation, scarring, or blockages in the reproductive tract.

What is sperm motility and why does it matter?

Sperm motility refers to the ability of sperm to move efficiently toward the egg. Poor motility (asthenospermia) means fewer sperm reach the egg, reducing the chance of fertilisation.

What is sperm morphology?

Sperm morphology refers to the size and shape of sperm. Abnormally shaped sperm (teratospermia) may have difficulty penetrating and fertilising the egg.

Can hormonal imbalances cause male infertility?

Yes. Low testosterone, high prolactin, or thyroid disorders can reduce sperm production. Hormonal imbalances in men are less common but treatable.

Does smoking affect sperm quality?

Yes. Smoking reduces sperm count, motility, and morphology, and increases DNA fragmentation in sperm, lowering fertility potential.

Can diabetes affect male fertility?

Yes. Diabetes can cause erectile dysfunction, retrograde ejaculation, hormonal imbalances, and increased sperm DNA damage.

What is retrograde ejaculation?

Retrograde ejaculation occurs when semen enters the bladder instead of exiting through the penis during ejaculation. It can be caused by diabetes, surgery, or medications.

Can genetic conditions cause male infertility?

Yes. Conditions like Klinefelter syndrome, Y-chromosome microdeletions, and cystic fibrosis gene mutations can cause severely low or absent sperm production.

Does heat exposure affect sperm?

Yes. Regular exposure to high temperatures — from hot baths, saunas, tight underwear, or prolonged laptop use on the lap — can temporarily reduce sperm production.

Can medications cause male infertility?

Yes. Certain medications including testosterone supplements, anabolic steroids, some antidepressants, chemotherapy drugs, and anti-hypertensives can impair sperm production.

IVF & Infertility FAQ – 200 Questions Answered

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