Urban Couples Delay Infertility Care, Ovulatory Disorders Key Driver: Cama Study
Study Overview
A new study conducted at Mumbai’s Cama Hospital indicates that many urban couples are postponing infertility treatment for several years, with ovulatory disorders identified as a prominent factor. The research was published on April 6, 2026, in the International Journal of Life Sciences, Biotechnology and Pharma Research, under the title “Study of Demographic and Clinical Profiles of Patients Attending an ART Centre in a Tertiary Care Government Hospital.”
The study was authored by Dr. Afifa Naushad, Dr. Tushar Palve, and Dr. Rajashree Thatikonda, and it analyzed data from 60 patients who visited the hospital’s Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) center from August to October 2025.
Demographics of Patients
The findings reveal that a significant 96.6 percent of the patients were from urban locales, highlighting a potential gap in access and awareness for rural populations. Nearly half of the patients were aged between 31 and 35 years, with an average age of approximately 33, reflecting trends of delayed childbearing and a later pursuit of medical help.
Delays in Seeking Care
A critical issue raised by the research is the lag in seeking infertility care. Dr. Palve noted that 41.6 percent of the patients had been married for 5 to 10 years before they approached the ART center, while 28.4 percent had waited over a decade. Only 30 percent sought assistance within the first five years of marriage.
Infertility Types and Causes
Primary infertility constituted 51.67 percent of cases reported in the study, marginally exceeding the rate of secondary infertility. Notably, structural reasons such as blocked fallopian tubes were not the leading factors in most cases, as more than 70 percent of patients exhibited normal tubal patency. This suggests that ovulatory dysfunction and hormonal issues are the predominant reasons for infertility in this demographic.
Treatment Patterns
The treatment approach observed in the study adhered to a stepwise model typical of public healthcare systems. Ovulation induction was identified as the most prevalent intervention, followed by intrauterine insemination. Only a minority of patients were planned for in vitro fertilization (IVF) procedures. The overall pregnancy rate attained in the study was recorded at 8.3 percent.
Barriers to Treatment
Researchers from the study emphasized that delays in seeking treatment, lack of awareness, and financial constraints continue to hinder treatment effectiveness. These factors highlight the necessity for early intervention and improved outreach efforts within public health systems to aid couples in need of reproductive assistance.
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Contents
Study OverviewA new study conducted at Mumbai’s Cama Hospital indicates that many urban couples are postponing infertility treatment for several years, with ovulatory disorders identified as a prominent factor. The research was published on April 6, 2026, in the International Journal of Life Sciences, Biotechnology and Pharma Research, under the title “Study of Demographic and Clinical Profiles of Patients Attending an ART Centre in a Tertiary Care Government Hospital.”The study was authored by Dr. Afifa Naushad, Dr. Tushar Palve, and Dr. Rajashree Thatikonda, and it analyzed data from 60 patients who visited the hospital’s Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) center from August to October 2025.Demographics of PatientsThe findings reveal that a significant 96.6 percent of the patients were from urban locales, highlighting a potential gap in access and awareness for rural populations. Nearly half of the patients were aged between 31 and 35 years, with an average age of approximately 33, reflecting trends of delayed childbearing and a later pursuit of medical help.Delays in Seeking CareA critical issue raised by the research is the lag in seeking infertility care. Dr. Palve noted that 41.6 percent of the patients had been married for 5 to 10 years before they approached the ART center, while 28.4 percent had waited over a decade. Only 30 percent sought assistance within the first five years of marriage.Infertility Types and CausesPrimary infertility constituted 51.67 percent of cases reported in the study, marginally exceeding the rate of secondary infertility. Notably, structural reasons such as blocked fallopian tubes were not the leading factors in most cases, as more than 70 percent of patients exhibited normal tubal patency. This suggests that ovulatory dysfunction and hormonal issues are the predominant reasons for infertility in this demographic.Treatment PatternsThe treatment approach observed in the study adhered to a stepwise model typical of public healthcare systems. Ovulation induction was identified as the most prevalent intervention, followed by intrauterine insemination. Only a minority of patients were planned for in vitro fertilization (IVF) procedures. The overall pregnancy rate attained in the study was recorded at 8.3 percent.Barriers to TreatmentResearchers from the study emphasized that delays in seeking treatment, lack of awareness, and financial constraints continue to hinder treatment effectiveness. These factors highlight the necessity for early intervention and improved outreach efforts within public health systems to aid couples in need of reproductive assistance.
