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.