Consult a doctor even before you plan a baby

For any married woman planning a baby years later, the right time to consult a doctor is now.

Given the stress level and lifestyle related diseases, infertility becoming increasingly common among women, going for a check-up at the right age is crucial for healthy motherhood, say doctors.

According to experts, early diagnosis of infertility problems can help the treatment methodology.

"Infertility has become a very common problem among today's generation," said Hrishikesh Pai, infertility expert at Fortis Bloom IVF Centre, Fortis La Femme Hospital, New Delhi.

Hormonal imbalance, thyroid, endometriosis, PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome), fibroid, cyst are common causes of female infertility, he pointed out.

"However, with the advent of advanced medical technology the chances of attaining motherhood have become promising," Pai said.

To highlight the importance of regular health check-ups in women, Fortis Bloom IVF Centre will organise a three-day free check-up camp for women with infertility problems from May 27 to 29, said a statement from the hospital.

Besides raising awareness about female infertility problems, the free consultation will coincide with the International Day of Action for Women's Health on May 28.

"Early check up is critical as women are born with a fixed pool of eggs: one to two million at birth, 3,00,000- 5,00,000 at puberty, which reduces as age advances," Pai said.

"It further goes down to 1,000 by the time she hits menopause. From the age of 32, the ability to conceive per monthly cycle decreases gradually but significantly due to decreasing ovarian reserve, and goes down rapidly after 37," he cautioned.

Infertility prevalence rates are difficult to determine due to the presence of both male and female factors.

One in every four couples in developing countries had been found to be affected by infertility, according to a study conducted in collaboration with the World health Organisation (WHO) in 2004.

In 2010, almost 50 million couples worldwide were unable to have a child after five years of trying.

The study by international researchers was published in PLOS Medicine.