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All You Need to Know About Infertility: Types, Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis & Treatment All You Need to Know About Infertility: Types, Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis & Treatment

All You Need to Know About Infertility: Types, Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis & Treatment


May 22, 2026
Surya Hospital 9 Min Read | 26

Infertility affects millions of couples around the world and can be an emotional and confusing journey. For couples who dream of starting their family, understanding infertility is the initial step toward finding the right support and treatment.

Explore this guide to know the types and causes of infertility, symptoms, diagnosis, and available treatment options.

What Is Infertility?

Infertility is defined as the inability to conceive after 12 months of regular, unprotected intercourse. 

For individuals aged 35 or older, the best fertility doctor at Surya Hospitals it is recommended to seek medical advice after six months of trying.

At Surya hospitals we have the Best fertility doctor who can guide you with personalised treatment plans.

Around 15% of couples experience infertility. The causes are typically divided as follows:

  • About one-third related to female factors
  • About one-third related to male factors
  • The remaining cases involve both partners or unexplained causes

It's important to remember that infertility is a medical condition, “not a personal failure,"  and many couples successfully conceive with the right treatment.

Also Read: How To Choose The Best IVF Clinic For Your Journey: Key Factors To Consider

Types of Infertility

Doctors generally classify infertility into three main types to better identify the underlying issue.

Type of Infertility Description
Primary Infertility Occurs when a couple has never been able to conceive, even after trying for a year.
Secondary Infertility Happens when a couple has conceived at least once irrespective of outcome ,*332 but is unable to get pregnant again.
Unexplained Infertility All medical tests appear normal, yet pregnancy still

Common Causes of Infertility in Women

Female infertility often happens due to ovulation problems, structural issues, or hormonal imbalances.

Some common causes include:

Cause Description Impact on Fertility
Ovulation Disorders (e.g., PCOS) Conditions like Polycystic Ovary Syndrome interfere with regular egg release. Prevents ovulation, making conception impossible.
Blocked Fallopian Tubes Caused by infections, pelvic inflammatory disease, or endometriosis. Blocks sperm from reaching the egg or embryo from reaching the uterus.
Uterine Conditions Includes fibroids, polyps, or scarring (Asherman’s syndrome). Hinders embryo implantation and growth in the uterus.
Age-Related Fertility Decline Fertility decreases after age 30, dropping rapidly after 35. Reduces egg quality, quantity, and overall conception chances.
Lifestyle Factors Smoking, obesity, excessive exercise, or severe weight loss. Disrupts hormone balance and ovulatory function.

Common Causes of Infertility in Men

Male infertility is just as common as female infertility and is often linked to sperm health.

Typical causes include:

Cause Description Impact on Fertility
Low Sperm Count Fewer than normal number of sperm in semen. Reduces chances of sperm fertilizing the egg.
Poor Sperm Movement (Motility) Sperm unable to swim effectively toward the egg. Makes it difficult for sperm to reach and penetrate the egg.
Abnormal Sperm Shape Irregularly shaped or structured sperm. Hinders sperm's ability to fertilize the egg.
Varicocele Enlarged veins in the scrotum. Impairs sperm production and quality.
Hormonal or Genetic Issues (e.g., Klinefelter syndrome) Disruptions in hormones or genetics affecting testes. Reduces or halts sperm production.
Lifestyle Factors Smoking, excessive alcohol, drugs, overheating testes (e.g., tight clothing, laptops on lap), certain medications. Lowers overall sperm quality, count, and motility.

Shared and Lifestyle Factors

In some cases, infertility involves both partners or lifestyle-related factors.

Examples include:

  • Increasing age
  • Sexually transmitted infections (like chlamydia)
  • Obesity
  • Smoking
  • High stress levels

Fertility typically peaks in the 20s and early 30s for both men and women and declines gradually afterward.

Symptoms of Infertility

In many cases, infertility doesn’t cause obvious symptoms other than difficulty getting pregnant.

However, some warning signs may include:

For Women For Men
Irregular or missed periods
Painful or heavy periods
Pelvic pain
Recurrent miscarriages
Erectile dysfunction
Low libido
Testicular pain or swelling
Hormonal imbalance symptoms

Often, couples only discover fertility issues after trying to conceive for some time.

When Should You See a Doctor?

It’s a good idea to consult a fertility specialist if:

  • You’ve been trying for 12 months without success (under 35)
  • You’ve been trying for 6 months or more (age 35+)
  • There are known fertility issues such as irregular cycles, PCOS, or low sperm count

Early evaluation can make a big difference in treatment success.

How Infertility Is Diagnosed

Doctors at Surya Hospitals perform comprehensive tests that usually begin with medical history, physical exams, and basic fertility tests.

Tests for Women Tests for Men
Hormone blood tests (FSH, LH, estrogen, progesterone, thyroid hormones)

Transvaginal ultrasound to check ovaries and uterus

Hysterosalpingogram (HSG) to examine fallopian tubes

Ovarian reserve testing
Semen analysis to measure sperm count, movement, and shape

Hormone tests


Scrotal ultrasound to detect varicoceles or blockages

Sometimes additional procedures like laparoscopy or genetic testing may be recommended.

These tests help doctors identify 80–90% of infertility causes.

Treatment Options for Infertility

Treatment depends on the:

  • Underlying cause
  • Age
  • Overall health of both partners

Many couples successfully conceive with medications, minor procedures, or assisted reproductive technologies.

Fertility Medications

Medications such as Clomiphene citrate or Letrozole stimulate ovulation and are commonly used in women with PCOS or irregular cycles.

In some cases, doctors may prescribe gonadotropin hormone injections.

Surgical Treatments

Surgery may be recommended to correct structural problems.

Examples include:

  • Removing fibroids or endometriosis
  • Repairing blocked fallopian tubes
  • Treating varicocele in men

These procedures can significantly improve fertility in selected cases.

Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART)

When other treatments don’t work, doctors may suggest assisted reproductive methods.

Intrauterine Insemination (IUI)
Processed sperm is placed directly into the uterus (womb) to increase chances of fertilization.

In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)
Eggs are retrieved from the ovaries, fertilized in a lab, and the embryo is transferred into the uterus.

Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI)
A single sperm is injected directly into an egg, often used for severe male infertility.

Other options include donor eggs, donor sperm, or surrogacy.

Lifestyle Changes That Can Improve Fertility

Simple lifestyle adjustments can sometimes improve fertility outcomes.

Helpful changes include:

  • Maintaining a healthy weight
  • Quitting smoking
  • Limiting alcohol and caffeine
  • Exercising regularly but moderately
  • Managing stress
  • Taking fertility-supporting supplements like folic acid and CoQ10

Tip for you: Timing intercourse around ovulation can also increase the chances of natural conception.

Success Rates and Important Factors

Fertility treatment success depends on many factors, such as:

  • Age
  • Cause of infertility
  • Overall health

For example:

  • IVF success rates are around 40–50% for women under 35
  • Success rates decline gradually after age 40

With modern treatments, however, up to 90% of couples eventually achieve pregnancy within two years.

Emotional Support & Next Steps For Couples

Yes, we understand infertility can be emotionally challenging for couples. Feelings of stress, frustration, and uncertainty are common.

But things like seeking counseling, joining support groups, or transparently talking with your partner can make the journey easier.

If you're struggling to conceive, consider consulting a reproductive endocrinologist or fertility specialist. Many advanced, best fertility centers in India—including Surya Hospitals—offer comprehensive testing and treatment options.

Meet Our Experts  – mumbai/pune 

Patient Testimonials

1. A Journey of Hope and Joy from Agartala to Surya IVF!

We are so happy to share this beautiful testimonial of our patient who came all the way from Agartala to have IVF treatment at Surya IVF. Under the care of @drshilpasaple, she conceived twins on her very first IVF attempt! 

Her testimonial is full of thanks to @drshilpasaple and our team for the wonderful care and support. Witnessing such joyous outcomes is why we do what we do and we are blessed to be a part of her journey.

2. Meet the Miracle Triplets

After 17 years of marriage, Deora and Madhu conceived through IVF and were blessed with triplets—two boys and a girl. Born 13 weeks premature, they weighed 810 g, 910 g, and 1.1 kg.

They faced complications like respiratory distress and retinopathy, but with advanced care and treatment, they recovered well.

Contact Surya Hospitals at +91-882882 8100 or info@suryahospitals.com

Surya Hospitals, 101-102, Mangal Ashirwad, S.V. Road, Santacruz West, Mumbai – 400054.

Surya Hospitals, Shrikant Chambers-II, Beside R.K. Studio, Chembur, Mumbai, Maharashtra, 400071

FAQs

Q1: Why can't I get my wife pregnant?
A: Infertility often stems from male, female, or combined factors like hormonal issues or blockages, consult a doctor for tests.

Q2: What are the causes of infertility?
A: Includes ovulation disorders, sperm problems, STIs, smoking, obesity, fibroids, or unexplained issues in 33% of each category.

Q3: How do I know if I'm infertile?
A: No pregnancy after 1 year of trying, signs include irregular periods, testicle pain, or erection issues; get a semen analysis. Only your doctor can determine if you are infertile or not.

Q4: What percentage of couples are infertile?
A: About 10-15% of couples face infertility, roughly 1 in 6-7 worldwide.

Q5: What percentage of couples experience infertility?
A: Up to 15% of women and 1 in 6 couples struggle to conceive naturally.

Q6: How to deal with a wife's infertility?
A: Here are the tips that can help:

  • Offer emotional support
  • Seek counseling
  • Pursue treatments like meds or IVF together

Q7: How to overcome infertility?
A: Follow your fertility specialist's advice on lifestyle changes, medications, surgery, or ART like IVF succeed in 85-90% cases

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