Women often undergo miscarriages, surgeries and ART for male sub fertility

Throughout my experience as an infertility specialist since 18 years, I have observed that there is a general misconception among Indians that failure to attain pregnancy is mostly due to medical problems in women. But this is just a myth, as men are also facing as much infertility issues as women. Many times the female partner undergoes all the painful procedures, even if the complication is related to male infertility or sub fertility.

The fact is that abnormal sperms can result in abnormal embryo and often this will result in miscarriage at first trimester and the woman may experience pain and bleeding and require undergoing D&C. There are again chances of tubal pregnancies, which may need surgery and which unfortunately may lead to maternal death in around 1 % of ectopic pregnancies.

The women may have to undergo IUI, ICSI or IVF for getting pregnant after vaginal scans and during these procedures, it is not just the pain or the side effects of medicines, but the emotional trauma which is difficult for the women The women suffers silently, during miscarriages and painful procedures, while the society and relatives often points finger at her even though the entire problem lies with the male partner. It’s really heartbreaking to witness my women patients forced to divorce for not having babies, wherein the problem is azoospermia (condition of absence of sperms) in husband. It is indeed a pathetic situation, I wish the men will understand this and be more considerate and caring towards women. Opting for donor sperm may be better in many cases, as they won't end up bringing up children with abnormalities. Men should undergo chromosomal test (karyotyping) when they have abnormal semen analysis for early pickup of problems.

Dr. Anita Mani
Infertility Specialist at Gift IVF Centre
anitadane@gmail.com
www.giftivf.com
bangaloreivf.blogspot.in