Infertility: couples find only cul-de sacs
By- Shramana Ganguly

Infertility has been branded a social stigma in our society, and it is a nightmare for couples failing to borne children. While medical science has come to the rescue of this problem, it is significant to note that several practicing gynecologists, obstetricians and infertility specialists are ignorant to the basics of infertility, and are ‘treating’ patients in the city who unfortunately are oblivious to the end results.

Cases of drug abuse to induce pregnancies have been on the rise in the city," informed Dr Kanthi Bansal of Bansal Hospital and Safal Fertility Foundation, which organized a one-day seminar on ‘Basic Management of Infertility Problems’ here today.

According to Dr Bansal, lack of technical know-how amongst a cross-section of practitioners in the city regarding their approach and treatment of infertility has been a cause of concern amongst the medical fraternity. Technical know-how on sperm preparation techniques, method of detecting motile sperms and further using them for insemination are very crucial to induce fertility in an infertile couple, which ironically is not known to practitioners here," she remarks.

Misuse of clomiphene citrate, a drug which induces ovulation, has been rampant. "I know of cases where patients have been administered the drug for as many as three years, which actually has not helped the cause at all," says Dr Niru Shah, sterity specialist.

Dr Shah remarks that some doctors have been known to indiscriminately expose their patients to the drug without even investigating the cause of infertility. Practicing obstetrician and gynecologist Dr. Rajan Joshi further informs of cases where unscrupulous use of the drug has led to ovarian cancer. "Cases of overuse of clomiphene citrate has induced multiple pregnancies in patients. It also leads to complicated pregnancies, high blood pressure in the pregnant mother, causes premature labour pain, and further leads to low birth weight in the new born babies."

According to Dr Bansal, one out of 12 couples is infertile. "40 per cent of the infertility could be due to male factor, 40 per cent to the female factor, 10 per cent could be combined, while the rest could be unexplained."

She feels that it is these unexplained factors which need careful study, rather than mere medical treatment procedures. Cases of patients ignorant to the fertility period, being taken on a ride by doctors are also aplenty.

"Over the period, there has been a rise in infertility because of rise in pollution, stress and chance in life styles. And, such cases need an altogether different outlook and these patients should be guided properly.

But, many patients completely leave themselves under the supervision of their doctors and get outright cheated by the ignorant practitioner," remarks a veteran in the field. "Patients are unnecessarily made to undergo exorbitant medical examinations, which cannot assure success," agrees Dr. Bansal."Ninety per cent of all infertility cases can be traced to specific causes that can be treated," feels Dr. Bansal, while Dr Joshi adds, "Since infertility could be traced to stress, counseling becomes an important part of the treatment. And such patients should be treated with compassion rather than being subjected to immoral treatment procedures."

Republished from Asian Age