Publication:

Gender dynamics in IVF: uncovering male and female factors for IVF at a tertiary care hospital

Background In spite of the global burden of subfertility affecting 8 to 12% of reproductive aged couples worldwide, not all sub fertile couples require in vitro fertilization (IVF). The decision to pursue IVF is typically based on a thorough assessment of the couple’s fertility challenges. Initially developed as a way to bypass irreparable tubal disease, IVF is now widely applied for treatment of infertility due to a variety of other causes. Latest achievements in the field of assisted reproduction have led to a rapid expansion in the indications of IVF. The objective of the study is to ascertain the various indications for which IVF was offered in the ART Centre of a public sector hospital, where such facilities are offered free of cost.

Methods This cross-sectional retrospective study was carried out over a period of 3 years in a tertiary care public sector hospital. Medical records including the infertility data of 1934 couples who underwent IVF cycles during the study period was analysed.

Results Of the 1934 couples taken up for IVF, 379 (19.6%) couples were for male factor only, 14.7% underwent IVF for chronic anovulation and 478 (24.7%) couples underwent IVF for combined male and female factors while 14.6% for idiopathic infertility.

Conclusions Both male and female factors contribute vividly to the burden of infertility and result in IVF to attain a successful pregnancy. In our study combined factors was the commonest indication for IVF.