Fertility & IVF — Frequently Asked Questions

Generally 12 months for women under 35, or 6 months for women 35 and older, though you should see a doctor sooner if you have irregular cycles or a known risk factor.

There is no single most common cause — ovulatory disorders (like PCOS), male-factor infertility, tubal issues, and unexplained infertility are all frequent causes, roughly equally distributed across couples.

Severe, chronic stress can affect hormonal balance and ovulation, but stress alone is rarely the sole cause of infertility — a full medical evaluation is still important.

Yes — fertility, particularly egg quantity and quality, naturally declines with age, with a more noticeable decline after the mid-30s.

A basic workup typically includes hormonal blood tests (AMH, FSH, LH, TSH, Prolactin), a pelvic ultrasound for the woman, and a semen analysis for the man.

Yes — regular periods suggest ovulation is likely occurring, but they don't rule out other causes of infertility such as tubal blockage or male-factor issues.

Infertility is recognised by major medical bodies as a disease of the reproductive system, which is part of why it deserves thorough medical evaluation rather than being dismissed.

The terms are often used interchangeably; 'subfertility' is sometimes used to describe a reduced — but not zero — chance of natural conception.

For some causes (like mild PCOS or weight-related anovulation), yes; for others (like blocked tubes or severe male factor), medical or surgical treatment is usually needed.

Yes — infertility involves a male factor in roughly half of cases, so evaluating both partners together gives the most accurate picture and avoids delays.

Unexplained infertility is diagnosed when a thorough evaluation of both partners finds no clear cause — it doesn't mean nothing is wrong, just that standard testing hasn't identified the reason.

Yes, fertility can return quickly after stopping most birth control methods, though for some women it may take a few months for regular ovulation to resume.

IVF stands for In Vitro Fertilisation — fertilisation of an egg by sperm outside the body, in a laboratory dish.

Most clinics today recommend transferring a single embryo to reduce the risk of multiple pregnancy, though this is decided individually based on embryo quality and patient factors.

ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection) involves injecting a single sperm directly into an egg, and is typically used for male-factor infertility or previous fertilisation failure.

Most patients continue working during the stimulation phase, taking time off mainly around egg retrieval and embryo transfer — your clinic can advise based on your job and protocol.

A frozen embryo transfer uses a previously frozen embryo, thawed and transferred in a later cycle — often used when extra embryos remain from a fresh IVF cycle.

This varies widely by individual; some conceive in their first cycle, while others need multiple cycles — your doctor can give a personalised estimate based on your diagnosis.

Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS) is an exaggerated ovarian response to stimulation medication; modern protocols are designed to minimise this risk, and it is closely monitored.

Yes — donor eggs, donor sperm, or both can be used in IVF when needed, depending on the couple's specific fertility diagnosis.

Preimplantation Genetic Testing (PGT) screens embryos for chromosomal or genetic abnormalities before transfer, and is recommended in select cases.

Most current evidence suggests prolonged bed rest is not necessary after embryo transfer; brief rest followed by normal, gentle activity is typically recommended.

Your doctor will review the cycle in detail — stimulation response, embryo quality and uterine factors — to adjust the protocol or investigate further before the next attempt.

Patients are involved in this decision, but it's guided by clinical recommendations balancing the chance of pregnancy against the risk of multiple pregnancy.

It's best to wait for the clinic's scheduled blood test (beta-hCG), as home urine tests can give inaccurate results too early or be affected by trigger medication.

It refers to the roughly 10–14 day period between embryo transfer and the pregnancy blood test — an emotionally challenging time for many patients.

Most children born through IVF are healthy; some studies suggest a very small increase in certain risks, which your doctor can discuss in the context of your specific situation.

IUI stands for Intrauterine Insemination — placing prepared sperm directly into the uterus around ovulation.

IUI is a specific, medically supervised form of artificial insemination performed in a clinical setting with washed, prepared sperm.

Sperm is 'washed' in the lab to remove seminal fluid and concentrate the healthiest, most motile sperm before insemination.

Yes, in some cases IUI is done with a natural cycle if ovulation is regular, though many cycles use mild medication to improve timing and egg number.

Typically around two weeks after the procedure, via a blood test at the clinic for the most accurate result.

Yes — IUI is often tried for 3–4 cycles before reassessing the approach, depending on individual response and diagnosis.

Most patients describe IUI as similar to a Pap smear — some mild cramping at most, with no anaesthesia required.

Irregular or absent periods, signs of excess androgens (acne, excess hair growth), difficulty losing weight, and sometimes polycystic-appearing ovaries on ultrasound.

PCOS is a long-term hormonal condition that is managed rather than cured, but symptoms — including fertility-related ones — can often be well-controlled with the right treatment.

No — most women with PCOS can conceive, often with the help of lifestyle changes and/or ovulation induction; it affects ovulation, not the ability to become pregnant altogether.

PCOS primarily affects ovulation frequency rather than egg quality, though associated insulin resistance can have some indirect effects which treatment can help address.

Not always required, but for women who are overweight, even modest weight loss can meaningfully improve ovulation and treatment response.

The terms are sometimes used interchangeably in casual use, though PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome) refers to the specific medical syndrome with defined diagnostic criteria.

Yes, with appropriate monitoring — PCOS pregnancies do carry a somewhat higher risk of certain complications like gestational diabetes, which your doctor will monitor for.

Your semen analysis report will indicate whether your count falls below typical fertile reference ranges; results should always be interpreted by a doctor in context.

In many cases, yes — through lifestyle changes, treating underlying causes like varicocele or infection, or medical treatment, depending on the specific cause identified.

Yes — smoking is associated with reduced sperm count, motility and quality, and quitting can improve these parameters over time.

In some cases, yes — through surgical sperm retrieval combined with ICSI, depending on the underlying cause of azoospermia.

Not always — treatment depends on the size of the varicocele, semen analysis findings, and whether it's contributing to infertility.

Since sperm takes about 70–90 days to fully develop, most lifestyle interventions are given at least 3 months before reassessing semen parameters.

Most definitions use two or more consecutive pregnancy losses as the threshold for a recurrent pregnancy loss evaluation.

Once an underlying cause is identified, targeted treatment can often reduce the risk of future loss, though prevention isn't always possible if no cause is found.

Yes — in a meaningful proportion of cases, thorough testing finds no clear cause, though many of these couples still go on to have successful pregnancies with monitoring.

Genetic testing of both partners (and sometimes pregnancy tissue) is often recommended after recurrent — rather than a single — pregnancy loss.

Early symptoms, if they occur, typically appear around the time of a positive pregnancy test or slightly after — every pregnancy is different.

Routine bed rest is generally not recommended unless your doctor advises it for a specific medical reason.

Usually 2–3 weeks after a positive blood test, to confirm a viable pregnancy with a visible heartbeat.

Travel is usually fine during the early consultation and testing phase, but should be planned carefully around monitoring visits during active stimulation, retrieval or transfer.

Cost depends on the specific protocol, medication dosage, additional procedures (like ICSI or PGT), and number of cycles required — which vary by individual diagnosis.

Coverage varies widely by insurer and policy; it's best to check directly with your insurance provider and ask the clinic for billing codes/documentation to support a claim.

Expect several monitoring visits during stimulation (every 2–3 days), plus visits for retrieval and transfer — your clinic will give an exact schedule.

Often yes, with careful planning — some parts of the workup can be done remotely or on a prior visit, with the active treatment phase scheduled around your travel window. Discuss this directly with the clinic.

The right IVF doctor for you is one whose experience matches your diagnosis and who communicates clearly about success rates and costs — Dr. Kavya P is a Consultant Fertility & IVF Specialist in Chennai serving OMR, Sholinganallur, Padur and nearby areas.

There's no guaranteed 'fastest' way, but tracking ovulation accurately, addressing any underlying fertility issues early, and seeking medical evaluation sooner rather than later all improve the odds.

Many fertility clinics, including this one, offer an initial teleconsultation for couples who want guidance before an in-person visit — contact the clinic to check availability.

Cost varies by clinic, protocol and any add-on procedures like ICSI or PGT; ask for a personalised, itemised estimate during consultation rather than relying on general figures.

Yes — Dr. Kavya P's fertility practice serves patients across the OMR corridor, including Padur, Navalur, Kelambakkam, Siruseri and Sholinganallur.

Difficulty conceiving after 12 months of trying (or 6 months if over 35), irregular periods, or a known condition like PCOS or endometriosis are all reasons to get evaluated.

A gynaecologist manages general women's reproductive health, while a fertility specialist has additional, focused training in diagnosing and treating infertility in both partners.

Yes — male-factor infertility is common, and treatment ranges from lifestyle changes to IUI or ICSI depending on the cause.