IndianMedGuru Consultants

Website : www.indianmedguru.com

Indian Med Guru Your Medical Option in India

Indian Med Guru

Infertility Treatment in India

Generally, worldwide it is estimated that one in seven couples have problems

conceiving, with the incidence similar in most countries independent of the

level of the country's development. Infertility is not always a woman's problem.

Both women and men can have problems that cause infertility. About one-third

of infertility cases are caused by women's problems. Another one third of

fertility problems are due to the man. The other cases are caused by a mixture

of male and female problems or by unknown problems.

What is Infertility?

Infertility primarily refers to the biological inability of a person to contribute to conception. A condition in which a couple has problems conceiving, or getting pregnant, after one year of regular sexual intercourse without using any birth control methods. Infertility can be caused by a problem with the man or the woman, or both. Infertility may also refer to the state of a woman who is unable to carry a pregnancy to full term.

Causes of Infertility

The normal reproduction process requires interaction between the female and male reproductive tracts. The woman ovulates and releases an egg from her ovaries to travel through the fallopian tube to her uterus (womb). The male produces sperm. Both egg and sperm normally meet in the woman's fallopian tube, where fertilization occurs. The embryo then implants in the uterus for further development. Infertility occurs when something in this pattern does not happen. The problem could be with the woman, with the man, or with both. Common causes of infertility (both in men and women) are as follows:

• Ovulation problems

• Tubal causes

• Sperm causes • Unexplained infertility

• Age-related factors

In some cases, both the man and woman may be infertile or sub-fertile, and the couple's infertility arises from the combination of these conditions. In other cases, the cause is suspected to be immunological or genetic; it may be that each partner is independently fertile but the couple cannot conceive together without assistance.

Types of Infertility

There are many types of infertility which could be summed up in the following ways:

Primary Infertility: - Primary infertility is a term used to describe a couple that has never been able to conceive a pregnancy after a minimum of one year of attempting to do so through unprotected intercourse.

Secondary Infertility: - Secondary infertility is usually defined as the inability to conceive or carry a pregnancy to term after successfully and naturally conceiving one or more children.

Subfertility: - Infertility that is not “absolute', or “complete infertility” that is, there is a chance of pregnancy, but the chance of getting pregnant each month is reduced. A less than normal capacity for reproduction is called as subfertility.

Male Infertility: - Male infertility refers to infertility in male humans. Being infertile has nothing to do with male sexual prowess (virility), but rather with the absence of healthy sperm in the semen that are capable of traveling to meet the ovum.

Female Infertility: - Female infertility refers to infertility in female humans. Infertility in a couple that relates to factors associated with the woman rather than the man. For a woman to be fertile, her reproductive organs must be healthy and functional.

Diagnosis

After 12 months of trying to conceive you should consult your GP or gynecologist for a referral to a fertility specialist. You and your partner will undergo a series of tests – sometimes your GP may conduct these tests. The test results will give clues to the type of infertility and ultimately a treatment plan to overcome the problem. Firstly, the specialist will look at the couple's medical history. For the woman, this includes information on any previous pregnancies, the regularity of her periods; and whether she has had painful periods, pelvic pain, infections, or surgery. A specialist will want to know if the man has previously fathered children, suffered a testicular injury; or had any developmental problems, infections, surgery; or if he has been exposed to certain environmental factors. Next there will be a physical examination, which may include:

• Blood Tests: A series of tests will establish if there is a hormonal basis for the couple's infertility – this may be corrected by hormonal supplements. Other tests will check for rubella, blood group, sperm antibodies and sexually transmitted diseases such as HIV, Hepatitis B and C.

• Ultrasound Examination: This gives information on what the ovaries and uterus look like. Your doctor will look at the growth of eggs, the thickness of the lining of the uterus (if thin, it can indicate hormonal problems), the presence of fibroids or polyps on the uterus, as well as signs of endometriosis or ovarian cysts. Surgical laparoscopy may also be used to identify endometriosis or blocked fallopian tubes.

• Semen Analysis: Men need to provide a semen sample this allows specialists to assess the number of sperm, how well they swim (known as 'motility') and the presence of sperm antibodies.

Some of the Common Treatments used for Infertility Infertility treatments can be grouped into three categories:

• Medicines to Improve Fertility

• Surgical Treatments

• Assisted Conception

Each of these is discussed briefly below.

Medicines (drugs) that may Improve Fertility:

Medicines are mainly used to help with ovulation. Ovulation is when the ovary makes and releases an egg (ovum). Ovulation should occur about once a month in women up until the menopause. For various reasons, ovulation may not occur at all, or it may occur less often than normal. Ovulation is partly controlled by hormones called gonadotrophins. These are made in the pituitary gland (a gland just under the brain). A gonadotrophin is a hormone that stimulates the activity of the gonads (the ovaries in women, and the testes in men). The main gonadotrophins made by the pituitary gland are called follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinising hormone (LH). These pass into the bloodstream and travel to the ovaries.

• Metformin: may be offered to women with polycystic ovary syndrome who have infertility and who have not responded

to clomifene. Metformin is a medicine that is commonly used to treat some people with diabetes.

Make sure you have a full discussion with your doctor before taking any medicine for infertility. This is so that you are aware of

success rates, any potential side-effects or risks (see below) and also the latest research and evidence for these medicines.

Surgical Treatments

The situations where surgery may be an option include:

Fallopian Tube Problems - Surgery to the fallopian tubes may help some women with infertility caused by fallopian tube

problems. For example, if your fallopian tubes have been blocked or scarred from a previous disease, infection, or other

problem. Some women who have had a 'tubal tie' (sterilisation) in the past for contraception may be able to have their fertility

restored by tubal surgery. These days, most surgery to the fallopian tubes is done by 'keyhole' surgery.

Endometriosis - Surgery may help to improve fertility in women with endometriosis.

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome - A special operation on the ovaries may be suitable for some women with polycystic ovary

syndrome. The procedure is sometimes called 'ovarian drilling' or 'ovarian diathermy'. Using keyhole surgery, a heat source

(diathermy) is used to destroy some of the follicles (tiny cysts) that develop in the ovaries. It is usually done if other treatments

for polycystic ovary syndrome haven't worked.

Fibroids - For women with fibroids, sometimes surgery to remove the fibroid may be considered if there is no other explanation

for the infertility. However, whether fibroids do cause infertility, and therefore whether they should be removed, is still

uncertain.

A Cause of Male Infertility - One cause of infertility is due to sperm being blocked by an abnormality in the epididymis in the

testis. This may be treated with surgery.

An operation used to be thought to help men who had a varicocele (like 'varicose veins of the testes') and who were infertile.

However, a recent study has concluded that surgery is not likely to help in this situation. See separate leaflet called

'Varicocele' for further details.

Assisted Conception

Current techniques are described briefly below. Your specialist will advise on which techniques are options for your particular

cause of infertility, and explain the chance of success.

• Clomifene: is a medicine that has been used to help with fertility for many years. It is taken as a tablet. It works by blocking a 'feedback' mechanism to the pituitary gland.

• Medicines that contain Gonadotrophins: are another type of treatment. These need to be injected and tend to be used when clomifene does not work, or prior to IUI and IVF to cause ovulation.

• Medicines that contain Gonadotrophin-releasing Hormone: are sometimes used. These stimulate the pituitary to release gonadotrophins (which in turn stimulate the ovaries).

Intrauterine Insemination (IUI): This is the process by which sperm is placed in the woman's uterus. It is done by using a fine plastic tube which is passed through the cervix into the uterus. Sperm are passed through the tube. It is a relatively straightforward procedure. It can be timed to coincide with ovulation (about half way through a monthly cycle) in women who are still ovulating. Fertility medicines may also be given beforehand, to maximize the chance of ovulation occurring. Women who have this procedure need to have healthy fallopian tubes to allow the egg to travel from the ovary into the uterus. If successful, fertilization takes place within the uterus.

In Vitro Fertilization (IVF): In vitro fertilization means fertilization outside of the body. In vitro literally means 'in glass' (that is, in a laboratory dish or test tube). IVF is mainly used in couples whose infertility is caused by blocked fallopian tubes, or unexplained infertility. IVF involves taking fertility medicines to stimulate the ovaries to make more eggs than usual. When the eggs have formed, a small operation is needed to get them ('egg retrieval'). Each egg is mixed with sperm which is obtained in the same way as for IUI (described above). The egg/sperm mixture is left for a few days in a laboratory dish (often referred to as a 'test tube'). The aim is for sperm to fertilise the eggs to form embryos.

Gamete Intrafallopian Transfer (GIFT): A gamete is an egg or sperm. Eggs and sperm are collected in the same way as for IVF. The eggs are mixed with sperm. The mixture of eggs and sperm are then placed into one of the woman's fallopian tubes. Therefore, unlike IVF, the sperm fertilises the egg 'naturally' inside the woman's fallopian tube or uterus, and not outside the body in a laboratory dish. For this to work, the woman's fallopian tube needs to be healthy. GIFT has been used in cases of 'unexplained fertility' or male factor infertility problems. However, it does not seem to be any more effective than IVF and so is not so commonly used.

Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI): This technique involves an individual sperm being injected directly into an egg. (It is injected into the cytoplasm - the outer part of the egg.) This method bypasses any natural barriers that may have been preventing fertilisation. For example, some cases of infertility are due to the sperm of a male partner not being able to 'penetrate' the outer part of the egg to fertilise the egg. ICSI can also be used when a male partner has a low sperm count as only one sperm is needed. If needed, a sperm can also be obtained by a small operation to the testis. This may be done when sperm cannot be produced in the usual way (for example, if the male partner has a blocked vas deferens, or has had a vasectomy).

Egg Donation: This involves stimulating the ovaries of a female donor with fertility medicines, and collecting the eggs which form. The eggs are mixed with and fertilised by sperm of the recipient's partner (similar to IVF). After 2-3 days, embryos are placed in the uterus of the recipient via the cervix. This method is an option for: women who have ovarian failure and cannot produce eggs; who have had their ovaries removed; who have conditions where the ovaries do not work (for example, Turner's syndrome); where there is a high risk of transmitting a genetic disorder to the baby. It is also used in certain cases of IVF failure.

Embryo Donation: Couples who have had successful IVF treatment may decide to donate any spare embryos to help other infertile couples.

Treatment for Unexplained Infertility: It tends to include either stimulation of ovulation using clomifene, intrauterine insemination or in vitro fertilisation. A recent study in Scotland looked at treatments for unexplained infertility including treatment with clomifene or treatment with intrauterine insemination. It compared these two treatments to no active treatment (that is, to couples just continuing to try to conceive naturally) over a six month period.

Other Treatments: Some people suggest that supplements including zinc, selenium, and vitamin E supplements may be helpful for men who have abnormal sperm counts due to an unknown cause. However, the evidence to support the use of such supplements is a little weak.

Life after Infertility Treatments

If you are one of the many couples who have been lucky enough to conceive then congratulations on your pregnancy. The feelings of happiness and excitement will make up for the months or years of heartache and despair.

• There will have been times when you wondered if all of this treatment was worth it but the main thing is that you

have become pregnant which has made all of it worthwhile. Even the constant tests, scans and monitoring your

monthly cycle!

• This is not the end of it as your next concern is the pregnancy itself. It is entirely normal to worry that things might

go wrong but many women experience this and that’s without undergoing any fertility treatment. Most pregnancies

run smoothly and there’s no reason why yours shouldn’t be one of these.

• There are risks and complications with pregnancy which apply to all women, but you will be cared for throughout

this time by a team of healthcare professionals. Keep it up with your regular antenatal checks and you will be

advised about having a healthy diet, taking exercise and avoiding alcohol and cigarettes.

Benefits of Infertility Treatment

The benefits of fertility treatment far out way the risks attached to it. Obviously the main benefit is to conceive with a child,

and I suppose this all depends on what treatment you need to help you conceive. The benefits include:

• The primary benefit is that this technique allows couples that are infertile to have children

• Availability of more effective therapies and treatment options

• Lessening of social stigma attached to infertility

• The embryos can be stored, thus allowing their use at a later date. This can be very advantageous in certain

situations, for example a woman who must undergo radiation treatment of her ovaries, before she has had her

children

• Higher success rate of pregnancy

Infertility Treatment in India

Infertility treatment in India has become the most promising infertility treatment destination for a wide range of international

tourists coming from all the corners of the world. It is not only within their budget, but also is available with high

international class surgical facilities with quick medical appointments, plus medical care and service operations at the

hands of experienced infertility treatment experts is attracting many patients and infertile couples from, USA, South Africa,

Europe, East Asia and Canada.

Indian healthcare and infertility clinics have guided all global patients and childless couples in a fine way to get them cured

from various kinds of male and female infertility disorders. The quality of medical treatment and healthcare amenities in

India is absolutely fine plus Indian doctors and medical staff set the fulfillment of patient’s expectations as their primary

target.

India has one of the most advanced centres for infertility evaluation, establishing reproductive health and assisted

fertilization services in the country today "where patients come first”. In a relaxed, caring and supportive environment the

patients get customized solutions. Here, they are understood well the sensitive emotions involved in the fertility treatment

and ensure complete privacy during and after the treatment.

Our team of internationally trained and experienced fertility specialists, embryologists, gynecologists, anthologists, holistic

medicine experts, gynae-oncologists, legal counselors, psychological counselors and other skilled clinical staffs guide the

couples facing difficulties in conceiving, and provide comprehensive solutions to help them achieve healthy parenthood.

The following are the Indian cities which render high end infertility treatments:

Mumbai Hyderabad Kerala

Delhi Pune Goa

Bangalore Nagpur Jaipur

Chennai Gurgaon Chandigarh

Cost of Infertility Treatment in India

Being infertile can be very expensive! Tests and treatment cost considerable money, and since there is no definite endpoint, budgeting for medical expenses can be very difficult. However, the cost budget for procedures of Infertility treatment in India is quite friendly along with the presence of robust medical rehabilitation facilities being provided to patients that make them feel at home.

Procedure USA (in USD) India (in USD)

IVF 11,000 3000

IUI 17,500 5000

GIFT 12500 3500

Some of the common countries from which patients travel to India for surgery are:

USA UK Canada

Australia New Zealand Nigeria

Kenya Ethiopia Uganda

Tanzania Zambia Congo

Sri Lanka Bangladesh Pakistan

Afghanistan Nepal Uzbekhistan

ABOUT INDIA

Located in South Asia, bordered by Pakistan, Nepal, China and Bangladesh, India is South Asia's largest, sovereign, democratic republic. India has an edge over other countries when it comes to offering comprehensive, cost-effective and timely medical care: it also offers an exotic, adventure-filled or cultural -if you wish array of destinations to discover and revel in for the travelers. Indian cities like Mumbai, Hyderabad, Goa, Bangalore, Nagpur, Kerala, Delhi, Pune, Jaipur, Chennai, Gurgaon, and Chandigarh offers best medical tourism service.

Mumbai - Formerly known as Bombay, is the commercial & financial capital city of India. Mumbai is famous for many things, including its thriving Bollywood film industry, teeming bazaars, colonial-style buildings, Art Deco structures and a superb choice of restaurants, often being rated as the dining capital of India. The tourist district of Colaba in Mumbai is a great place to start exploring this great city.

Hyderabad – Hyderabad city is a great place to visit in the state of Andhra Pradesh. The place has witnessed a continuous growth for last many years. Hyderabad has become a tourist hotspot following ever increasing number of tourists during past few years. Hyderabad has a well-founded reputation as one of the safest cities in the world.

Goa - The country's smallest state and famed for its colonial Portuguese and Catholic past, most tourists visit Goa for its endless selection of sandy beaches and coastal attractions. Standing proudly next to the Arabian Sea, Goa is a particularly compact state and often feels like a large town, being easy to travel. Around Goa, tourists will soon realize that the state has much more to offer than simply stunning beaches, fishing, water scooters, windsurfing and scuba diving.

Bangalore - Beauty lies in the eyes of beholder and if you want to see one of the most beautiful places in India then Bangalore is the word for it. Bangalore has earned sobriquets like 'Silicon Valley of India', 'Pub Capital of India', and 'City of Gardens'. Pleasant climate with colorful gardens with lakes and glittering nightlife, Bangalore has made its own attraction for travelers as one of the most charming cities in India,

Nagpur - Nagpur is the largest city in central India, but with its friendly atmosphere and dependable transportation, you’ll instantly feel at home. The city of Nagpur has a well-built infrastructure, is a clean and affluent city which makes a good jumping-off point for a series of trips into the far eastern corner of Maharashtra.

Kerala - Natural beauty, clean air and primordial greenery amidst the vast expanse of water and sky, typifies the state of Kerala – better known as God's own country. Kerala is famous for its alternative medical therapies such as Ayurveda, which help to rejuvenate and revitalize the body. The region is also home to India’s only virgin tropical rain forest – the Silent Valley National Park, supporting an overwhelming range of life forms, many of which are highly endangered, and endemic to this part of the planet.

Delhi - "Welcome to The Capital City of India - New Delhi" Delhi is famous as Capital city of India is located in North India. Delhi is truly a symbol of the old and the new; a blend of ancient well preserved monuments and temples along with jam-packed burger joints and up market shopping malls. Delhi has state of the art Hospitals and the best qualified doctors.

Pune - Once referred to as the Oxford of the east, Pune continues to be a stronghold for academics and culture. An array of factors like availability of efficient and experienced doctors, comparatively low treatment costs, hospital facilities of international standards and many more have made Pune one of the top destinations for medical tourism.

Jaipur - Jaipur is one of the most popular destinations on a tourist's itinerary. The magnificent forts, beautiful havelis and colourful bazaars make Jaipur a popular tourist destination among tourists. Jaipur has pioneered health and medical tourism in India.

Chennai - Chennai is one of the most developed urban centers in the Indian subcontinent. The city forms the capital of Tamil Nadu state and is the fourth largest metropolitan city in India. They have some of the very best hospitals and treatment centers in the world. Each hospital is equipped with state of the art facilities. The technology brought into practice is the very latest, including robotic surgery.

Patients Testimonial:

Mr. Lawerence – UK

Male Infertility Surgery in India

Hi, I am Mr. Lawerence from UK. Recently, I got my Male Infertility Surgery due to duct block at country’s best hospital, performed by some highly experienced surgeons. Off late, I have realized that India has emerged to be a new healthcare destination wherein global patients all across the world fly for their various medical treatments and surgeries. Considering this, I also planned my Male Infertility Surgery in India, luckily I came in touch with a medical consultant group called Indian Med Guru, who guided me and arranged my entire stuff for my Male Infertility Surgery in India. I am really obliged to them for their quick and quality service they rendered during my stay in India. I felt very safe through out my journey. My Male Infertility Surgery in India was done using the latest technology. And I am very happy with the result. In fact it has gone beyond my expectations. The team at Indian Medguru group had been very helpful and supporting. During all my stay in India I felt comfortable. The Indian hospitality really touched me, I have heard about it earlier, but now I can vouch upon it. The entire medical staff at the hospital wherein I had my Male Infertility Surgery in India was extremely friendly and helpful. The food was good. The hospital was neat and clean, besides this, it was green and ambient. I would highly recommend Indian Medguru group and Male Infertility Surgery in India in any city including Mumbai, Delhi or Bangalore.

Knee Replacement Surgery in India

Knee replacement surgery also known as knee arthroplasty is procedure to replace the weight-bearing surfaces of the knee joint to relieve the pain and disability of osteoarthritis. It may be performed for other knee diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis. The procedure has been proven to help individuals return back to moderately challenging activities such as golf, bicycling, and swimming. Total knees are not designed for jogging, or sports like tennis and skiing (although there certainly are people with total knee replacements that participate in such sports). Knee replacement is a routine surgery performed on over 600,000 people worldwide each year. Over 90% of people who have had Total Knee Replacement experience an improvement in knee pain and function.

Knee Replacement Surgery Candidates A person would be considered a candidate for knee replacement if there is:

• Daily pain • The pain is severe enough to restrict work, recreation and ordinary activities of daily living

• Significant stiffness in the knee

• Significant instability (constant giving way) of the knee • Significant deformity (knock-knees or bow-legs) that hinders normal function of the knee

• Damage from arthritic conditions, such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis or post-traumatic arthritis

Success Rate of Knee Replacement Surgery: Knee replacement surgery is recognized as a miracle of modern surgery. Most orthopedic experts consider replacement to be the best method of handling arthritis in the knee. Knee replacements have literally put hundreds of thousands of Americans back on their feet and allowed them to enjoy their golden years.

Knee Replacement Surgery Preparations:

• If you smoke, cut down or quit. Smoking changes blood flow patterns, delays healing and slows recovery.

• If you drink, don't have any alcohol for at least 48 hours before surgery.

• Ask your doctor for pre-surgical exercises. If you are having hip or knee replacement surgery, doing exercises to strengthen your upper body will help you cope with crutches or a walker after surgery.

• Your primary care physician or an internist will conduct a general medical evaluation several weeks before surgery. This examination will assess your health and your risk for anesthesia. The results of this examination should be forwarded to your orthopaedic surgeon, along with a surgical clearance.

• Shortly before your scheduled surgery, you will probably have an orthopedic examination to review the procedure and answer any last-minute questions.

• You may need to take several types of tests, including blood tests, a cardiogram, a urine sample and a chest X-ray.

• Advice your surgeon of any medical conditions you have and of all the medications you are taking. You may need to stop taking certain medications or your surgeon may recommend substitute medications until your surgery. Medications such as corticosteroids, insulin or anti-coagulants will need to be managed before and after surgery.