Infertility is not a social failure: Expert explains why infertility must be treated as a medical condition, not a social burden

Infertility has been a taboo topic for generations, deserving of few words of discussion, if any, and even less judgment, assumption or emotional burden. Not being able to have children is personal tragedy for many families, and it is a problem for the family as a whole, too, it creates a tremendous stress on the individual and the couple. These expectations can be overwhelming, and can make it hard to seek medical assistance.

This story is changing though, and it's a better one.

Many are beginning to ask questions, asking for clarification and now entering into an open attitude toward fertility in our society today. The discussions on reproductive health are slowly moving from the stigma to the science and a path from that will never go back and it will change the mindset towards infertility as a medical condition which needs to be assessed and treated in a systematic way.

Progress in assisted reproductive medicine has revolutionised the care of fertility. However, with the use of therapies such as IVF (In Vitro Fertilization), ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection) and pre-implantation genetic testing (PGT), it is possible to gain a better understanding of the underlying biological factors. Medical evaluation (hormonal, imaging, and genetic) can be done in a systematic manner, helping to determine the exact cause of infertility and offering a medical evidence-based treatment strategy. This will help to ensure targeted interventions, optimized clinical decision making and better treatment outcomes are provided.

But, one of the major hurdles is the lack of understanding. There are still many people that have started their fertility journey with too little or wrong information, information that they have been getting from social beliefs or anecdotal advice given to them. This is where proper patient education comes in handy.

Picture coming into a room where each question is embraced, each process is currently outlined in straightforward language, and each choice is made with all the clarity. Clinics have specialized knowledge centers that are working towards creating just such an environment. The centres offer clear, understandable information about the diagnosis, treatment options, success rates, and the cost of treatment, so that patients can come up with informed decisions and feel confident about their healthcare process.

As important are the relationships between clinicians and patients that are structured. The translation of medical information into language that is easily understood and scientifically accurate improves the understanding of the patient, fosters trust and boosts adherence to treatment. Digital tools and patient engagement platforms also facilitate the ability to provide patients with seamless access to reliable information, outside of the clinical context.

The core of the knowledge gap is to fill in the gaps with knowledge. If patients know what is involved and what to expect, these procedures and expectations may be more formalized and less frightening.

The movement from stigma to science has started. Through cultural sensitivity combined with scientific knowledge and the technological developments in the field of assisted reproduction, the evaluation of infertility is systematic, the diagnosis is accurate, the management is systematic and the treatment is appropriate and based on scientific evidence and delivered at the right time.

(Dr Varsha Patial, Centre Head, Aksigen IVF Centre)