Can my gynae treat my infertility? The answer is a big NO.

Confused about whom to consult for infertility related issues?Based on the queries frequently encountered during practice, the Gaudium team has compiled the below information that will help you take an informed decision.

What is the difference between a gynaecologist and a fertility specialist?

A gynaecologist is a doctor specializing in reproductive health and general medical care of women.They are the doctor you go to for health problems such as painful or irregular periods,infections in the reproductive tract, pregnancy care, and yearly health check-ups. Gynaecologists are qualified to perform surgical procedures such as deliveries and hysterectomies.

A fertility specialist is a gynaecologist who went on to specialize in reproductive endocrinology and infertility (REI) after studying gynaecology.

A fertility specialist possesses the expertise to diagnose and treat the underlying causes of male and female infertility.With their in-depth knowledge of the human reproductive system and assisted reproductive techniques (what you simply know as IVF, IUI, TESA etc.), a fertility specialist helps childless men and women overcome infertility and experience the unparalleled joy of parenthood.

When should I see an infertility specialist?

You need to see an infertility specialist if you have been unable to get pregnant after trying for one year. Women over 35 need to consult a specialist after six months of trying to conceive naturally.

For most patients, their trusted gynaecologist is the first point of contact for infertility related problems. In some cases the gynaecologist is able to resolve the difficulty experienced in conceiving by educating patients about the ovulation cycleand about maintaining general reproductive health.

If required, your gynaecologist would do a preliminary infertility evaluation. If they discover a complex problem that requires specialized care, they should ideally refer you to a fertility specialist.

When is mygynaelikely to refer me to an infertility specialist?

Your gynaecologist should ideally recommend seeing an infertility specialist in the following situations:

• If the initial testing indicates an issue best handled by a fertility specialist. For example if the woman has endometriosis or polycystic ovaries (PCOD) or the male partner’s sperm analysis indicates poor sperm count or nil sperm.
• If basic infertility treatment with oral reproductive medication has been unsuccessful.
• If the patient has had repeated miscarriages.
• If they are unable to diagnose the cause of infertility and believe that further detailed investigation is needed.

A major problem infertile couples face when they are hesitant to leave the comfort zone of gynaecological advice is that male infertility often gets overlooked, and significant time and resources may be lost before the couple realizes that it’s time to see a specialist.

A gynaecologist who has the patient’s best interests at heart would advise the patient when it’s time for them to see a specialist.

I am hesitant to consult an infertility specialist as I am afraid I may be tricked into going for IVF or other extensive procedure.

This is a popular perception about infertility clinics and unfortunately it is not entirely unfounded. Commercial fertility clinics have been known to misguide unsuspecting patients into undertaking unnecessary tests and ART procedures.

That is why it is extremely important to choose your fertility doctor after careful consideration.

At the same time it is equally important for patients to know that seeing an infertility specialist does not mean that you are automatically signing up for IVF.

What it means is that you have made the wise decision to consult a medical expert who is equipped to do in-depth analysis of your infertility,has the infrastructure and facilities to conduct specific tests, and provide customized treatment to help you conceive naturally. Only when there is no possibility of natural conception will a credible and ethical infertility specialist recommend assisted reproductive technology.

Email id.: info@gaudiumivfcentre.com Contact No. : 08527858585, 011-69413434

7Common IVF Myths & Misconceptions

The birth of the world’s first IVF baby Louise Joy Brown in 1978 marked the beginning of a revolution which has since brought joy to millions of childless couples across the globe.

A technique in which oocytes or eggs retrieved from a woman’s ovaries are combined with healthy sperm from the male partner in a lab dish, today IVF is credited with the birth of more than 5 million babies worldwide. Vitro means glass and since fertilisation takes place in a culture dish made of glass, the process is known as in vitro fertilization.

Spearheaded by award-winning IVF Specialist Dr. Manika Khanna, Gaudium IVF Clinic India is proud to have assisted more than 6000 child-less couples in having a child of their own.At Gaudium IVF centre we believe that educating our patients with authentic and reliable information not only empowers them to make informed decisions but also boosts their trust in our services and in the medical fraternity as a whole.

In this blog post we have listed seven prevalent myths surrounding IVF and contrasting facts that dispel these myths.

Myth: IVF leads to multiple pregnancies

Successful fertilization of sperm and egg leads to the development of an embryo which is placed in the woman’s uterus through a process known as embryo transfer. More than one pregnancy can occur in case multiple embryos are transferred during a single IVF cycle.

Due to the several risks associated with multiple pregnancies,Gaudium fertility specialists advise patients to go for SET (single embryo transfer) in each IVF cycle.

While the reputed fertility clinics across the world are united in dissuading IVF patients from opting for multiple embryo transfer, certain complicated cases may necessitate the need to transfer more than one embryo at a time, which could result in more than one pregnancy.

Ideally, your IVF doctor should explain to you the possible complications associated with multiple IVF pregnancies to help you make an informed decision.

Myth: IVF is for women only

As shared earlier, IVF is a technique wherein the woman’s egg and the man’s sperm are made to fertilize in a laboratory. Today IVF is being increasingly used in combination with several male infertility treatment modalities such ICSI, TESA and PESA. For example, a combination of ICSI-IVF may be used in cases of severe male infertility. The technique involves selection of a single healthy sperm and injecting it directly into the female egg to fertilise it in vitro. You can learn more about such treatments here.

While technically IVF is a fertility treatment for women, it often complements infertility treatment of the male partner.

Gaudium IVF success stories: When patients had lost all hope

Myth: IVF success is a matter of sheer chance

If this were true, IVF would not be the preferred infertility treatment around the world. With recent advances in medical science, IVF procedures have become even more sophisticated to minimize the risk of failure. Your progress through various stages of IVF is closely monitored by your fertility specialist through ultrasounds and blood-tests.

As a responsible patient, you can impact your IVF outcome by taking better care of yourself and your partner. Give up smoking and alcohol, aim for a healthy body weight, eat nutritious foods and learn techniques to minimize stress.read more

Backed by state-of-the-art facilities and internationally trained doctors, Gaudium IVF Clinic enjoys an unmatched success rate of 58-65% in IVF treatment.

Myth: IVF causes early menopause

Hormonal changes brought about by fertility medication cause some IVF patients to experience symptoms that are usually associated with menopause. It does not mean that you are heading towards menopause!

A good IVF doctor would take the time to explain to you the possible side effects of the medicines prescribed to you.

Myth: A failed IVF cycle means that the next one will fail as well

An IVF cycle can fail for many reasons; however it does not mean that the next attempt would be unsuccessful as well.

The success of your IVF treatment depends on several biological and hormonal factors. What’s important is the ability of your fertility doctor to determine the cause of a previous failure and devise a specialized protocol to minimize the risk of failure in the subsequent IVF cycle.

With an unmatched 75% success rate in previously failed IVF cases, Gaudium IVF takes pride in having successfully treated hundreds of childless couples who sought assistance from us after failing IVF treatment at other centres.

Myth: IVF outcomes are not impacted by lifestyle

Common perception is that IVF is the unfailing remedy for infertility and a highly advanced technique that can surpass any damage inflicted upon your body by poor lifestyle choices. This misconception is a contributor to patients’ having unrealistic expectations from IVF treatment

Time and again studies have linked lifestyle factors such as excess weight, smoking, consumption of alcohol and chronic stress to fertility problems in both men and women.

Individuals facing fertility issues must adopt a healthy lifestyle to improve chances of IVF success.

Myth: IVF is the last desperate solution, we should wait

Due to lack of information, childless couples often tend to try indigenous solutions in a hope to get pregnant without medical help. However, time is one of the most crucial factors in the success of your infertility treatment.

While a younger couple may try conceiving at least for a year before seeking treatment, older couples (30 years and above) should not delay seeing a fertility specialist after more than six months of trying. Several factors govern the success of an IVF cycle such as the cause of infertility, age of parents-to-be, medical history, biological factors, previously failed IVF cycles, and previous pregnancies.

Delaying treatment can severely affect your chances of IVF success.

If you have more concerns or questions about IVF, feel free to consult Gaudium IVF Specialists for a free second opinion.
Email id.: info@gaudiumivfcentre.com Contact No. : 08527858585, 011-69413434

Couples going through infertility treatment may sometimes feel overwhelmed with having to go through a number of tests, particularly at the time of diagnosis. Given that some clinics do mislead unsuspecting patients and advise unnecessary tests, it is not unusual for a patient to be apprehensive about the necessity of all the tests recommended by their doctor.

Diagnosing infertility can be a complex process. Once your fertility doctor has learned your in-depth medical history, the next step is to prescribe diagnostic tests to determine the root cause of infertility.

At Gaudium Fertility Clinic, we encourage our patients to ask questions and discuss every concern they might have regarding the diagnosis and treatment process. Having dealt with thousands of patients from all walks of life, our experts believe that the best way to calm patients’ anxiety is by maintaining transparency and by providing patients with information which makes them feel informed and in control.

As a general protocol, for most infertility patients the less invasive and less expensive tests are recommended first, and not every patient needs to undergo extensive testing.A credible fertility specialist would not recommend lab tests without an in-depth evaluation of your condition. If your doctor appears eager to prescribe tests or medication in the very first meeting without obtaining your detailed medical, sexual and reproductive history, it is not a good sign.

To give you a fair idea of what to expect, shared below is a list of tests your doctor may suggest during infertility assessment.

Infertility Diagnosis and Testing for Women

Expect your doctor to ask questions regarding your menstrual cycle, history of past pregnancies, sexual health, past illness, surgery, medication etc. This would be followed by further testing to ascertain the cause of infertility:

Stage I

• Physical examination including pelvic examination to rule out genital infections
• Ovulation test to check any problems with the monthly egg release (ovulation)
• Blood tests to check estrogen and testosterone levels
• Ultrasound to check for ovarian cysts and fibroids
• Blood tests for thyroid, hepatitis, HIV and any chronic illness
• FSH level test to detect blood levels of the follicle stimulating hormone secreted by the pituitary gland. This hormone regulates the production of estrogen and progesterone, and is responsible for the growth of eggs in the ovaries. The test is carried out on the third day of your period.

Based on the results of preliminary testing, your fertility doctor may recommend one or more of the following tests to confirm the diagnosis made so far.

Stage II

• Laparoscopy: Helps detect endometriosis, a condition where the tissue lining the uterus develops outside the uterus causing heavy periods and problems with fertility.
• HSG (Hysterosalpingogram): X-ray to check uterine health and detect any blockage in the fallopian tubes.
• Hysteroscopy: Conducted if the HSG indicates abnormalities in the uterus or fallopian tubes. Allows your doctor to take photos of the damaged areas.
• Endometrial biopsy: A small amount of tissue is taken from the uterine lining (endometrium) to detect abnormalities which could affect implantation of a fertilized egg.

The collective results of the above tests would help your doctor determine the line of treatment best suited for you.

Infertility Diagnosis and Testing for Men

Stage I

• Initial assessment through detailed medicaland reproductive history
• Physical examination to detect genital abnormalities and infections
• Complete Semen Analysis to detect problems with sperm count (number of live sperm cells per milliliter of semen), sperm movement (motility) or abnormalities in sperm shape (morphology)

If the results of semen analysis are normal, your doctor may order more tests for the female partner.If, however,the semen analysis report indicates problems with semen production and/or quality, the male would be required to undergo further investigation.

Stage II

• Blood tests to check hormone levels (testosterone and other hormones which affect fertility)
• Scrotal ultrasound to detect blockage in the testicles and surrounding area which could be obstructing semen flow
• Transrectal Ultrasound to check prostate health and detect any blockage in the ejaculatory ducts
• Extensive sperm function tests which may be undertaken if, after unfavorable sperm analysis, your doctor needs to further investigate the behavior of your sperm post- ejaculation
• Testicular biopsy wherein a small sample of testicular tissue is removed and tested to check any problems with sperm production

In certain cases where the above testing fails to indicate the underlying cause of male infertility, genetic testing may be recommended to test for genetic disorders.

Unnecessary testing by some (mediocre)fertility clinics leads to mistrust and frustration in patients, and gives a bad name to the noble vocation of a fertility doctor. At Gaudium IVF Centre we believe it the patients’ right and the doctor’s duty to explain why a particular test or procedure may be indispensable to a particular treatment protocol.

If you have an unanswered question about your infertility diagnosis, feel free to consult Dr. Manika Khanna for a free second opinion

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Email id.:  info@gaudiumivfcentre.com   Contact No. : 08527858585, 011-69413434