Frequently Asked Questions

Infertility is a condition in which pregnancy has not occurred after 12 months or more of regular unprotected sexual intercourse. It can result from female factors, male factors, a combination of both or sometimes unexplained factors.

Yes. Infertility can be related to the female partner, male partner, both partners or unexplained factors. Therefore, evaluation of both partners may be recommended.

You may consider a fertility consultation if you have been trying to conceive without success, have irregular or absent periods, known reproductive problems, previous pregnancy losses, suspected male-factor infertility or other concerns that may affect fertility.

Earlier evaluation may be appropriate in some situations, depending on age and medical history.

Depending on your situation, your doctor may recommend:

• Medical and reproductive history

• Ultrasound

• Hormonal tests

• Ovarian-reserve assessment

• Semen analysis

• Tubal evaluation

• Uterine assessment

• Other tests based on your symptoms and history

Not every patient needs every test.

IVF (In Vitro Fertilisation) is an assisted reproductive treatment in which eggs are collected from the ovaries and fertilised with sperm in a laboratory. The resulting embryo may then be transferred into the uterus.

IVF may be considered for different fertility problems, including some cases of:

• Blocked or damaged fallopian tubes

• Ovulation problems

• Endometriosis

• Male-factor infertility

• Unexplained infertility

• Reduced ovarian reserve

• Previous unsuccessful fertility treatment

• Other medically indicated situations

The appropriate treatment depends on the individual fertility assessment.

A typical IVF cycle involves:

Fertility assessment → ovarian stimulation → monitoring → egg retrieval → fertilisation → embryo development → embryo transfer → pregnancy testing.

The exact protocol and timeline can differ between patients.

The timeline varies according to the treatment protocol. A typical IVF cycle may take several weeks from the beginning of treatment through pregnancy testing.

Your fertility team will provide your individual treatment schedule.

Some parts of IVF, such as injections and egg retrieval, may cause discomfort. Egg retrieval is generally performed with appropriate pain relief or sedation.

Your doctor will explain what to expect and how discomfort will be managed.

No. IVF cannot guarantee pregnancy or live birth.

Treatment outcomes can be affected by factors such as age, ovarian reserve, egg and sperm factors, embryo development, uterine factors and the underlying cause of infertility.

There is no fixed number of IVF cycles that applies to everyone.

Your doctor may review the outcome of each cycle before discussing whether another attempt is appropriate.

ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection) is a fertilisation technique in which a single sperm is injected directly into an egg.

No. ICSI is not automatically required for every IVF cycle.

It may be considered in selected cases, particularly with certain male-factor infertility concerns or previous fertilisation problems.

ICSI may be considered when sperm count, movement or other sperm-related factors make conventional fertilisation less suitable. The decision should be made after evaluating the semen analysis and other clinical factors.

IUI (Intrauterine Insemination) is a fertility treatment in which prepared sperm is placed directly into the uterus around the time of ovulation.

IUI may be considered in selected cases of:

• Unexplained infertility

• Some ovulation problems

• Certain mild male-factor fertility problems

• Some situations involving donor sperm

Suitability depends on factors such as age, ovulation, fallopian-tube status and sperm parameters.

IUI and IVF are different fertility treatments. The appropriate option depends on the cause of infertility, age, test results and previous treatment.

Your fertility specialist can explain which approach may be suitable for you.

Egg freezing, or oocyte cryopreservation, involves collecting eggs from the ovaries and freezing them for possible future use.

The process generally involves ovarian stimulation, monitoring, egg retrieval and laboratory freezing.

Egg freezing may be considered for different reasons, including fertility preservation when someone is not ready to have children or before certain medical treatments that may affect fertility.

No.

Egg freezing preserves eggs, but it does not guarantee that a future treatment will result in pregnancy or live birth.

Age at the time of freezing, the number of eggs stored and their subsequent survival and fertilisation are among the factors that may influence outcomes.

Donor-egg IVF uses eggs from an eligible donor for fertilisation with sperm, followed by embryo transfer to the intended recipient.

It may be considered when using the patient's own eggs is unlikely to provide a suitable treatment option.

Donor eggs may be considered in selected situations such as severely reduced ovarian function or when the patient's own eggs are unlikely to result in a successful treatment.

The decision requires individual medical assessment.

Donor sperm may be used in selected fertility treatments where medically and legally appropriate.

The applicable screening, consent and legal requirements should be explained by the fertility clinic before treatment.

Yes. Third-party reproduction and assisted reproductive treatment are subject to applicable laws, regulations and clinic requirements.

Patients should receive current legal and medical information from their fertility provider before proceeding.

Preimplantation Genetic Testing (PGT) refers to genetic testing performed on embryos created through IVF before an embryo is considered for transfer.

Different types of PGT are used for different genetic questions.

PGT-A examines embryos for abnormalities in chromosome number.

It is not a test for every genetic disease and is not appropriate for every IVF patient. Evidence about its benefits can vary according to patient group and treatment circumstances.

No.

PGT can provide specific genetic information about tested embryos, but it cannot guarantee pregnancy, a healthy baby or the absence of every possible genetic or medical condition.

Your doctor can explain what a particular genetic test can and cannot identify.

Female infertility can have several causes, including:

• Ovulation disorders

• PCOS

• Blocked fallopian tubes

• Endometriosis

• Uterine conditions

• Reduced ovarian reserve

• Age-related changes

• Hormonal disorders

Sometimes no specific cause is identified.

In many cases, treatment options are available.

Depending on the cause, treatment may include lifestyle or medical management, ovulation treatment, IUI, surgery or IVF.

The appropriate treatment depends on the underlying cause.

Yes. PCOS can affect ovulation and may make it more difficult to conceive.

However, many women with PCOS can become pregnant with appropriate medical care.

Yes, IVF may be considered when clinically appropriate.

The fertility specialist will assess ovulation, ovarian response, previous treatment and other factors before recommending IVF.

No.

Having PCOS does not mean pregnancy is impossible. Treatment depends on the individual's symptoms, ovulation and fertility goals.

AMH is one of the tests used to assess ovarian reserve, or the remaining pool of eggs.

A low AMH level may indicate reduced ovarian reserve, but AMH alone does not determine whether pregnancy is possible.

Yes, pregnancy may still be possible with low AMH.

AMH should be interpreted together with age, menstrual history, ultrasound findings and other fertility information.

Not necessarily.

AMH mainly provides information about ovarian reserve and expected response to stimulation. It should not be treated as a standalone test of egg quality.

Yes. Blocked or damaged fallopian tubes can interfere with the meeting of the egg and sperm and can therefore affect natural conception. Tubal disorders are recognised causes of infertility.

Treatment depends on where the blockage is located, whether one or both tubes are affected, the extent of damage and other fertility factors.

Some patients may be considered for a procedure, while IVF may be recommended in other situations.

Yes. IVF can be an option because fertilisation takes place outside the fallopian tubes.

Your fertility specialist can discuss whether IVF is appropriate after evaluating the tubal condition and other factors.

Recurrent pregnancy loss refers to repeated pregnancy losses. The exact definition can vary between professional guidelines and clinical settings.

Patients with repeated pregnancy losses may benefit from a structured medical evaluation.

Possible causes include:

• Chromosomal abnormalities

• Uterine abnormalities

• Certain blood-clotting or autoimmune conditions

• Hormonal or metabolic problems

• Genetic factors

• Other medical factors

Sometimes no definite cause is identified.

Treatment depends on the cause.

The doctor may recommend investigations to identify potentially treatable factors and then develop an individual management plan.

Yes. Male factors contribute to infertility in many couples.

Possible causes include problems with sperm production, sperm movement, sperm shape, sperm transport, hormones or other reproductive conditions.

A semen analysis examines characteristics of semen and sperm, such as:

• Sperm concentration

• Motility

• Morphology

• Semen volume

It is one of the important initial tests used when evaluating male fertility.

Treatment depends on the underlying cause.

Options may include medical treatment, lifestyle changes, surgery in selected cases, IUI, IVF, ICSI or sperm-retrieval procedures.

The appropriate treatment depends on why the sperm count is low.

Your doctor may recommend repeat semen testing, hormonal evaluation or other investigations before deciding on treatment.

The cost depends on the treatment plan, medicines, investigations and additional procedures.

Sehgal IVF Centre's published Delhi price information provides indicative ranges for different fertility treatments. Patients should confirm the latest charges directly with the clinic before treatment.

It depends on the package and treatment plan.

Patients should ask for an itemised estimate showing which medicines, investigations and laboratory services are included and which are additional.

Yes.

Different patients may require different medicines, monitoring, fertilisation techniques, embryo procedures or additional treatments.

IVF outcomes can be influenced by:

• Age

• Ovarian reserve

• Egg factors

• Sperm factors

• Embryo development

• Uterine factors

• Cause of infertility

• Previous treatment history

Your doctor can discuss the factors relevant to your individual situation.

No responsible fertility treatment can guarantee pregnancy or live birth.

Be cautious of claims promising guaranteed pregnancy or a guaranteed success rate.

No.

When discussing fertility treatment, patients should consider the complete clinical picture, including diagnosis, treatment options, risks, costs, laboratory services, communication and the suitability of the treatment plan for their individual circumstances.

IVF is an established fertility treatment, but like any medical procedure it has potential risks.

Your fertility specialist should explain the expected benefits, limitations and risks before treatment.

OHSS is a complication in which the ovaries respond excessively to fertility medicines.

Symptoms can range from mild to severe. Your fertility team monitors ovarian response to help reduce the risk and manage complications if they occur.

Contact your fertility team if you experience symptoms that concern you, particularly significant abdominal pain or swelling, severe vomiting, difficulty breathing, fainting or heavy bleeding.

Seek urgent medical attention for severe or rapidly worsening symptoms.

Your fertility clinic will give you a specific date for testing.

Testing too early may give an unclear or misleading result, so follow the date provided by your fertility team.

Your fertility team may arrange an early ultrasound at the appropriate time to confirm the pregnancy and assess early development.

Further pregnancy care will then be planned according to your individual situation.

Your doctor may review the cycle, including ovarian response, fertilisation, embryo development and other relevant factors.

Depending on your circumstances, the doctor may discuss another treatment approach or another IVF cycle.