Infertility is a growing problem in India, affecting millions of couples. According to recent estimates, around 10-15% of Indian couples struggle with infertility, and this number is expected to rise in the coming years. The emotional toll of infertility can be devastating, with many couples feeling a sense of shame, isolation, and despair. The inability to conceive naturally can lead to feelings of inadequacy and a loss of self-esteem and strain relationships and marriages.
Fortunately, several options are available to couples struggling with infertility, including assisted reproductive technologies like in vitro fertilisation (IVF). While these treatments can be expensive and not always accessible, they offer hope to couples who are struggling to conceive. It is important for policymakers and healthcare providers to recognise infertility's impact on individuals and families, and to work towards increasing access to affordable, high-quality fertility care. With the right support and resources, couples can overcome infertility and build the families they have always dreamed of.
Infertility is a growing concern in India, affecting millions of couples. However, with advancements in assisted reproductive technology (ART), the gap between India and the West is expected to minimise. The ART Act in India has introduced regulatory mechanisms that have improved the status of ART in the country. IVF
is one such technique that has gained popularity in recent years. With better success rates and reduced cost barriers to care, more couples are turning to IVF for help in starting a family. The development of early detection tools and the use of smartphones in fertility care are also expected to improve outcomes. In this article, we will explore the latest advancements in infertility treatments in India and their impact on parenthood.
Infertility Treatments in India
Infertility is a growing problem in India, affecting both men and women due to various factors. In vitro fertilisation (IVF), intrauterine insemination
(IUI), and surrogacy are some of the most common treatments available. IVF involves fertilising an egg with sperm outside the body, and then implanting the embryo in the uterus. IUI involves placing sperm directly in the uterus during ovulation. Surrogacy involves using a surrogate mother to carry the embryo to term. The success rates and costs of these treatments vary, with IVF being the most expensive and having the highest success rate. Legal and ethical considerations also come into play with surrogacy, which is currently unregulated in India. Recent advancements in time-lapse technology and early detection tools may improve the success rates of these treatments. Access to affordable and regulated infertility treatments is crucial for couples struggling with infertility in India.
In vitro fertilization (IVF) and its variants
In vitro fertilisation (IVF) is a fertility treatment in which eggs are removed from a person's ovaries and fertilised with sperm in a laboratory. The fertilised egg, or embryo, is then implanted into the uterus to grow. The process of IVF typically involves several steps, including an assessment of the cause of infertility, ovarian stimulation, egg and sperm collection, fertilisation, embryo culture, and transfer to the mother. The success rates of IVF in India vary depending on factors such as age and the cause of infertility but generally range between 30-40%.
There are also variants of IVF, such as intracytoplasmic sperm injection
(ICSI), intracytoplasmic morphologically selected sperm injection (IMSI), and pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD). ICSI involves the injection of a single sperm directly into an egg, while IMSI uses a high-powered microscope to select the healthiest sperm for injection. PGD
involves the screening of embryos for genetic disorders before implantation. These variants can be useful for individuals with specific fertility issues, and can increase the success rates of IVF.
Intrauterine insemination (IUI) and other assisted reproductive technologies (ART)
Intrauterine in