Delaying fertility evaluation for several years can make an already stressful journey more challenging for couples, with doctors observing around 20-30 Virar couples every month who approach them after postponing fertility treatment for years. Many couples initially prefer to wait, assuming that pregnancy will happen naturally with time. In contrast, others delay consultation due to lack of awareness, social pressure, work commitments, or misconceptions about fertility treatment. Doctors stress that fertility concerns can affect both men and women and that timely evaluation can help identify the underlying cause and allow couples to understand their treatment options.
Many couples come after spending several years trying to conceive, often after assuming that they should simply wait a little longer. Every month, we see around 20-30 couples who come to us after delaying fertility consultation or treatment for several years. By the time they seek medical advice, age, duration of infertility, and underlying reproductive conditions may have become important factors. “Fertility is influenced by several aspects, including a woman’s age and ovarian reserve, ovulation, the condition of the uterus and fallopian tubes, as well as sperm count and quality in men. Conditions such as PMOS (earlier PCOS), endometriosis, thyroid disorders, and other hormonal problems can also affect conception. In some cases, there may be no obvious symptoms, which is why couples should not wait indefinitely before seeking an evaluation. Early consultation does not necessarily mean undergoing fertility treatment immediately; it means understanding the reason for difficulty in conceiving and knowing what options are available,” said Dr. Jyotshna Palgamkar, Fertility Specialist, Nova IVF Fertility, Virar.
Dr. Jyotshna further added, “One of the biggest concerns we see is that couples often consider fertility to be only a woman’s issue and delay evaluation of the male partner. However, male factors can also contribute significantly to difficulty in conception, and a basic semen analysis can provide important information. Similarly, women with irregular periods, severe menstrual pain, known PCOS, endometriosis, or previous reproductive health problems should consider speaking to a gynaecologist or fertility specialist earlier. The right approach is to evaluate both partners rather than placing the responsibility on one person. Depending on the findings, some couples may conceive with simple medical or lifestyle interventions, while others may require treatments such as ovulation support, intrauterine insemination or IVF. The treatment plan should always be based on the individual couple’s medical condition, age, and fertility assessment.”
“Fertility treatment should not be viewed as something that couples need to fear or postpone because of misconceptions. Time matters in fertility care, and seeking medical advice does not mean that a couple will immediately require advanced treatment. It allows them to understand their reproductive health and make informed decisions. Couples should seek medical guidance if they have been trying to conceive without success, rather than repeatedly postponing consultation. Women with irregular cycles or known reproductive conditions and men with concerns related to sperm health should also consider an earlier evaluation. With greater fertility awareness, timely diagnosis and appropriate treatment, couples can avoid losing valuable time and understand the options available to them,” concluded Dr. Jyotshna.
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