- Patient Pathway Guide
You Are Not Alone - Understanding Female Infertility
If you have been trying to conceive without success, know this: infertility is a medical condition, not a personal failure. Dr. Harshlata Laddha has helped thousands of women identify the cause and find the right path forward
- The Basics
What is Female Infertility?
Female infertility is diagnosed when a woman is unable to conceive after 12 months of regular, unprotected intercourse (or 6 months if she is over 35). It affects roughly 1 in 6 couples globally.
Infertility is rarely about one single issue — it is often a combination of factors that, once identified, can be addressed with the right treatment plan.
- Major Causes
What Can Cause Female Infertility
Ovulation Disorders
Conditions like PCOS disrupt regular ovulation, making conception timing harder to predict.
Tubal Blockage
Blocked or damaged fallopian tubes prevent the egg and sperm from meeting naturally.
Endometriosis
Tissue growing outside the uterus can affect the ovaries, tubes, and pelvic environment.
Uterine Factors
Fibroids, polyps, or structural abnormalities can affect implantation.
Age-Related Decline
Egg quantity and quality naturally decline with age, particularly after 35.
Unexplained Infertility
Tests appear normal but conception hasn't occurred — this doesn't mean nothing can be done.
- Diagnostic Approach
How We Diagnose the Cause
AMH Test — a blood test estimating ovarian reserve, how many eggs remain.
HSG — an X-ray procedure checking whether fallopian tubes are open or blocked.
Ultrasound & Follicular Tracking — monitors ovulation and identifies structural issues.
Laparoscopy — direct examination of pelvic organs, often used to diagnose endometriosis.
Treatment Options
Medical management — hormonal treatment to regulate ovulation or address PCOS/thyroid imbalance.
Surgical correction — laparoscopic treatment for endometriosis, fibroids, or blockages.
IUI — often the first-line treatment for milder cases, before considering IVF.
IVF — recommended for tubal blockage, severe endometriosis, or age-related decline.
Common Questions
At what point should I see a fertility specialist?
If you are under 35 and have been trying for 12 months, or over 35 for 6 months, it’s time for an evaluation. Don’t wait if you have known conditions like PCOS.
Can infertility be caused by something I did?
No. Infertility is a medical condition — many causes are genetic, hormonal, or age-related and were never within your control.
Is unexplained infertility really untreatable?
No — many patients with unexplained infertility conceive with treatments like IUI or IVF, even without a known cause being identified.
Find Your Answer
Understanding the cause of your infertility is the first step toward treatment.