Causes of Male and Female Sub Fertility in the Couples who Underwent ‘In Vitro Fertilization’ at Life Clinic; a Statistical Study from Lahore, Pakistan

Abstract

Objective:To explore the causes of male and female sub fertility in the couples undergoing ‘In Vitro Fertilization’ at LIFE clinic. Materials and Methods:In this retrospective, cross-sectional, observational study from Lahore, Pakistan all couples coming for evaluation and treatment for sub-fertility from 1st January to 30th April 2015 at Lahore institute of fertility and endocrinology LIFE with n=344 patients were included Fertility and Endocrinology (LIFE). Sampling method was non probability consecutive. The data collection instrument was an especially designed Performa. Causes of Sub fertility male and female were studied and data was extracted from the files of LIFE. Results:Out of 344 patients 138(40.1%) had female factors, 122(35.5%) had male factor, 38(11.0%) had combined factors whereas 46(13.4%) had unexplained infertility. Out of 138, 55(39.85%) females had tubal factor, 2(1.45%) had endometriosis, 21(15.22%) had PCO and 60(43.47%) had unexplained causes of sub-fertility. Out of 122 males, 90 (74.4%) had oligospermia/asthenospermia and 32(25.6%) had azoospermia. Conclusion:Tubal factor was a major cause of sub-fertility in females whereas in 2/3 of the females, cause of sub-fertility was not explained.Among the males,oligospermia was the most common cause and was found in 74.4%. Health education about menstrual hygiene should be imparted early in life to prevent Sub-fertility due to infection. Premarital counseling and testing should be made easily available. Andrology should be made part of the Gynecology courses and curricula. Community based Sub-fertility research should be encouraged to assess the disease burden and frequency of preventable causes