Radha and Rohan married when they were both 30 years old and had no plans to start a family immediately. "We wanted to enjoy ourselves as a couple," Radha explained. So they took birth control and were relieved each month when her period arrived.\nAfter a few years of marriage, they began to consider having a family. "My friends were having kids, and I really wanted one," Radha explained. "I believed it was the proper time," Rohan explained. "Both mine and her jobs were doing nicely. "I felt like we could afford a baby, and it would be great." Radha's mother began to hint that she would like to be a grandma. "We're looking into it!" " Rohan explained to her.\nThey both knew what to do to create a baby—frequent unprotected intercourse. Rohan was excited about it, especially at first. They didn't know how long it would take Radha to get pregnant, but they figured it wouldn't be long. Rohan conducted some research after three months of trying to conceive and not getting pregnant. She was astounded to learn that even fertile couples with no reproductive issues had just a 20% chance of becoming pregnant in any given month.\n"I was determined to beat those odds!" Radha stated. She started using an ovulation calendar to find out when her fertile cycles were so she and Rohan could have sex at the most fertile time. Rohan quit smoking and started wearing boxer shorts ("I assumed it couldn't harm," he said), and they both ate healthier and drank less.\nBut Radha became concerned that something was wrong. Every month, her period brought her sadness, and she began to envy her friends who had gotten pregnant effortlessly. Rohan attempted to soothe her, but she became despondent. Why was it so simple for her friends to become pregnant but so difficult for her? Radha hated coming to baby showers and family events because someone would always question, "When are you two going to have a family?" Rohan became enraged by the careless remarks and questioning. He was also embarrassed. What type of husband couldn't make his wife pregnant? They both began to feel separated from their peers. "I feel like I have no control over my own body," Rohan explained. "How is this possible for me?"\nRadha believed that learning more about reproductive issues would help her get control of the situation, so she conducted extensive internet research. She shared several fertility therapy resources with Rohan, and they had a lengthy discussion. Rohan agreed that they should research why they were having difficulty Conceiving. Radha then went to her physician and requested a referral to a reproductive expert. "I believe it's better if you and Rohan both undergo some testing," the gynecologist said. "I recommend that you consult a reproductive endocrinologist." She stated that a reproductive endocrinologist has significant expertise in determining the causes of fertility difficulties and assisting people in having children.\nRadha was certain that she and Rohan had to figure out what the problem or difficulties were in order for her to become pregnant. They scheduled an appointment with a reproductive clinic, provided their medical histories, and proceeded through the testing process. Rohan's Rohan had a sperm analysis and a physical assessment. Radha underwent a medical checkup, an ultrasound, and a series of blood tests to establish her hormone levels and ovulation status. Radha informed her mother that they were going for testing but begged her to keep the information to herself. "I couldn't stand telling my family until I knew we had an answer," she explained.\nWhen the test results were ready, Radha and Rohan met with the fertility doctor jointly. They were both nervous but hopeful. Maybe there would be an issue with a simple solution, but they weren't sure what it would be. They received both good and bad news in return.\nOne in every five couples that visit a fertility expert is diagnosed with unexplained infertility. As the fertility doctor explained to Radha and Rohan, this indicates that the available tests did not uncover the cause of why they were unable to conceive. "This is fantastic news," she explained, "since it indicates that neither of you has any big, obvious causes for infertility." People diagnosed with unexplained infertility, on the other hand, may have additional, more subtle abnormalities that current diagnostic tests cannot discover, such as low egg quality, she noted. "We can attempt IUI for a few cycles, with and without Clomid, and if that doesn't work, we can talk about IVF," the doctor stated. "Many disorders can be discovered and remedied during the IVF process." She informed them about FASTT (The Fast Track and Standard Treatment), a recent study of couples with unexplained infertility that found that couples who are unsuccessful after three cycles of Clomid and intrauterine insemination (IUI) should attempt in vitro fertilization (IVF). This study found that after three cycles of Clomid and IUI, IVF had a greater success rate at a cheaper cost.\n"It was incredibly difficult to perceive this as positive news," Rohan said. "If there are no serious issues, why can't we have a baby without treatment?" "I'm at a
loss," Radha said. "The time is ticking, and we still don't have a baby." \nThis was not something I anticipated to happen."  She felt depressed and guilty, as if it was her fault, despite the fact that Radha's test results were normal. Rohan was upset that she felt this way. They genuinely argued over it, and Radha sobbed. "Look, we're all in this together," Radha pointed out. "The doctor says we need therapy, so let's get started." Let's get this baby going." Radha began to feel more optimistic. They decided to meet the fertility clinic's financial counselor and figure out the expenses for the treatment.\nThe couple met with a financial advisor to discuss their health insurance, savings, and potential reduced treatment options and funding if they needed to continue with IVF therapy. After much deliberation, they determined that they could afford therapy and chose to begin. "We held hands and dived in together," Radha explained. "All right, here we go!"\nHappiness Alas!\nRadha went through three rounds of IUI with Rohan's sperm, one without Clomid stimulation and two with Clomid stimulation. Clomid caused her to generate a large number of eggs, but none of those cycles resulted in a pregnancy.\nRadha and Rohan had a roller coaster of emotions with each cycle, beginning with optimism and joy and ending with sadness and grief when she did not become pregnant. Radha's mother tried hard to be supportive, but her sadness was palpable. Radha became despondent and distanced herself from Rohan. Rohan felt irritated and furious. "Having a baby has completely taken over our lives," he explained. Their reproductive specialist saw their anxiety and advised them to seek treatment. They met with a counselor at the fertility clinic, who made them feel less alone in their feelings and encouraged them while they made treatment selections. Radha reached out to her closest pals and told them about her situation. Their warmth and tenderness helped her feel less alone. \nThe reproductive physician discussed the possibility of pursuing IVF therapy using PGS, or preimplantation genetic screening. "In the lab, we will fertilize your eggs with the sperm," she explained. "When the embryos begin to develop, we will screen a few cells from the embryos to ensure they have the necessary amount of chromosomes, and only the best ones will be transferred." Chromosome abnormalities account for around half of all failures to implant and the majority of losses. PGS increases your chances of IVF success."\nRadha and Rohan decided to undertake an IVF cycle with PGS after much consideration and deep conversation. "I was terrified to hope, but the doctor indicated the odds with IVF were in our favor, so we went ahead," Radha explained. "After reading about the study on unexplained infertility, I decided on IVF as the next step."\nAfter around two weeks of hormone injections, egg harvesting, and lab fertilization, their embryos were evaluated, and the finest ones were placed in Radha’s uterus. Then came two weeks of nervous waiting (and progesterone injections to help an embryo or embryo implant). Radha went to the fertility clinic for the pregnancy test and returned home with Rohan to await the results.\n"I was terrified," she said. "It was the best day of my life when they called with the fantastic news!" Radha was expecting a child. Rohan was overjoyed. They each shed a few tears. Their wish was about to come true. Radha carried the child to term and gave birth to a healthy baby girl.\n"Having our baby was worth all of the waiting, struggle, and concern," Rohan added.\n\n\n
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Unexplained Infertility