Is there any way to improve ovarian reserve ?

At the present moment we do not have any evidence backed method of improving ovarian reserve. Medications like DHEA require approval from medical authorities and is hence not a routine prescription. Donor egg IVF program may be the best solution for women with very low ovarian reserve.

I am 35 years old and married just 6 months ago. Do I need to see a fertility specialist right away ?

Yes. It is a good idea to complete a clinical evaluation at the earliest. At 35 years of age, there is a rather rapid decline in ovarian reserve and it may be a good idea to use active measures to attempt pregnancy.

How are egg donors recruited in India ? Can I Choose a donor ?

Most centers maintain a donor registry. However, it is still rare for young, educated girls to volunteer as egg donors. Hence most of our donors are women who are married and have children of their own. You can choose a donor who will be as close a match as possible. However, we do prefer to keep donors anonymous.

I need to undergo IVF using an egg donor. I live over seas. How do I co-ordinate ?

We will need to short list a donor for you. Once this is done we will try and co-ordinate your menstrual cycle with her’s using birth control pills. You will need to come to our centre about a week before your (pill – induced) period is due. We will complete investigations like diagnostic hysteroscopy and begin certain medications and GnRh agonist injections. You will need to be in India for a further 3 weeks after that. In countries where there is access to some Pre – IVF medications and diagnostic tests, the stay in India can be shortened by a week or so.

A routine Pelvic transvaginal scan on the Day 3 of my menses showed a 4 cm sized ovarian cyst. Will it come in the way of conception ?

Cysts less than 5cm in size, filled with clear fluid are often seen in the early Part of the menstrual cycle. They are called “functional” or “retention” cysts. They are harmless and disappear spontaneously. Usually they are ignored and fertility treatment is continued in that cycle, (with the exception of IVF treatment where the cyst may need to be ‘aspirated’).

I am 28 years old and have been trying to get pregnant for 18 months.A pelvic ultrasound scan showed a “Chocolate cyst” in both ovaries. My doctor says they are small and should not matter. How do I proceed ?

A “chocolate cyst” is a blood filled cyst within the ovarian tissue. They may grow over time and cause discomfort. They could also make the ovaries “sticky” and result in their getting adherent to the uterus or bowels.

However, as the cysts are small in your case, the correct approach would be to go through 4 or 5 cycles of ovulation induction combined with intra uterine insemination as this would offer you the best chance to get pregnant quickly.

I have had 4 IUI cycles (Intra uterine insemination) and failed to get pregnant my doctor asked me to get a HSG test done. The x ray shows a ballooned out left tube labeled as hydrosalphinx. We are planning to get pregnant by IVF. Should I get the unhealthy tube removed prior to IVF ?

Yes. Hydrosalpinges are non – functioning fallopian tubes that usually are diseased due to infections or inflammations. The fluid in the hydosalpinges can drain into the uterine cavity and reduce the chances of embryo implantation at IVF. It is hence a good idea to get it removed surgically through laparoscopy.

How is Tuberculosis infection of the uterus and tubes diagnosed ?

Pelvic tuber culosis can be diagnosed by a laboratory test using samples of tissue from the uterus. It is also possible to take tissue samples from fallopian tubes during Laparoscopy.

Who is checked up for genital TB ?

The following women are considered high risk for having the infection and hence are tested.
- Women with previous tubal pregnancies.
- Women with hydrosalpinges as seen on HSG or at Laparoscopy.
- Women with previous repeated, early pregnancy losses.
- Women who are exposed to the infection in any way.

It is necessary to treat genital TB prior to proceeding with IVF ?

Yes Results show consistently better implantation rates after treatment for TB.

We are both 32 years of age and have been married for 3years. We have been unable to have intercourse. All attempts in that direction is just leading to frustration. I feel I am loosing out an time to start a family. Can you help ?

This is not an altogether uncommon situation that we see in Fertility clinics. In the larger interest of the couple’s life together every attempt needs to be made to put sexual intimacy on the right track. Psycho sexual counseling helps.
Sometimes a small surgical procedure may make penetrative sex easier for the women.

However, all these can be worked at alongside to active fertility treatment measures. In a large group of these couples, short and simple treatment gives very good results.