Why Am I Not Getting Pregnant? A Heart-to-Heart with Dr. Malpani on Fertility Testing and Treatment Options
Patient: Dr. Malpani, I’ve been wondering about this a lot. My health is good, I have regular periods, and my sexual life is great. Why am I still not getting pregnant?
Dr. Malpani: That’s a very common question, and I understand how frustrating this can be. Just being in good health doesn’t automatically mean that everything necessary for conception is in perfect shape. For instance, it doesn’t confirm that your eggs are healthy, your fallopian tubes are open, or that your husband’s sperm count is normal. Even a pelvic exam by a gynaecologist won’t provide all the information we need to assess fertility.
Patient: So, what should we do next? Are there specific tests we need to consider?
Dr. Malpani: Yes, absolutely. We need some basic tests to get a clear picture. These tests will check that your husband’s sperm are healthy, your eggs are good, your uterus is normal, and your fallopian tubes are open. The good news is that these tests are quite affordable and can be completed in about 15 days.
Patient: That sounds reasonable. Is there a risk of overlooking anything?
Dr. Malpani: It’s essential not to assume everything is fine just because you feel healthy. Many conditions that impact fertility, like blocked fallopian tubes or low sperm count, are silent—they don’t have obvious symptoms. Proper testing is the only way to detect these issues. Completing all the tests provides us with a starting point and helps us understand the best way to proceed.
Patient: But what if all the tests come back normal? Won’t that leave us at a dead end?
Dr. Malpani: I know it might feel that way. Some patients do get frustrated when they’re told everything appears normal. But think of it this way: if the tests don’t show any abnormalities, it doesn’t mean you’re at a dead end; it just means we’re dealing with what’s called “unexplained infertility.” This is when the eggs and sperm aren’t meeting in the fallopian tubes naturally. It’s more common than you might think, and while it doesn’t give us a clear answer as to “why,” it shifts our focus to “what can we do to help?”
Patient: So, what options do we have if everything looks normal but I still don’t get pregnant?
Dr. Malpani: The next step is to increase the chances of the eggs and sperm meeting through a treatment called HMG/IUI, which enhances the likelihood of conception. If this doesn’t work after three cycles, we’d consider moving on to IVF. And because we have high success rates, we even offer a guaranteed pregnancy treatment option.
Patient: That’s reassuring. Where can I find more information?
Dr. Malpani: You can read about unexplained infertility, HMG/IUI, and IVF treatment on our website. Additionally, if you’d like a free second opinion, you can visit www.drmalpani.com/free-second-opinion. And if you’d like to consult me directly via video, you can book a session for ₹3000 here: bit.ly/consult-drmalpani.
Patient: Thank you, Dr. Malpani. This has given me a lot of hope and clarity on the steps forward.
Dr. Malpani: I’m here to support you through every step. Remember, it’s about finding a solution that leads to a healthy pregnancy. We’ll get there together!