Unexplained Infertility: Signs, Causes & Treatment Options

Unexplained infertility is also called Idiopathic Infertility. It happens when a couple is unable to get pregnant even after trying for a long time and all their test reports come out normal. It can be very confusing because there is no clear reason behind the problem. This can lead to stress, sadness, and many unanswered questions for couples who are trying to start a family.

At RISAA IVF, Dr. Rita Bakshi (Senior IVF Specialist and Gynaecologist) has helped many couples who are dealing with this condition. There are still ways to improve the chances of pregnancy with proper care and guidance. In this blog, we will explain everything about idiopathic infertility. We will explain its signs, causes, treatment options, and more.

What is Idiopathic Infertility?

Idiopathic infertility is also known as unexplained infertility. This happens when a couple faces issues in conceiving even though all tests are normal. This means that both male and female infertility factors like sperm quality, ovulation, fallopian tubes, and the uterus appear normal, but pregnancy is still not happening.

This condition can be confusing and stressful because there’s no obvious reason behind it. However, idiopathic infertility is quite common and there are many couples who are able to get pregnant successfully with the right treatment.

Types of Infertility

Infertility can affect both men and women and it is usually divided into two main types:

• Primary Infertility – This is when a couple has never been able to conceive after trying for at least one year (or six months if the woman is over 35). They have not had a successful pregnancy before.
• Secondary Infertility – This is when a couple has had at least one successful pregnancy in the past but now they are facing difficulty to get pregnant again.

Infertility can also be classified based on whether the cause is related to the male partner, the female partner, or sometimes both:

• Male Infertility – This is often related to low sperm count, poor sperm movement, or issues with sperm shape.

• Female Infertility – This could be due to ovulation problems, blocked fallopian tubes, hormonal imbalances, or issues with the uterus.

• Unexplained or Idiopathic Infertility – When no specific cause is found in either partner after all tests are done.

Signs of Idiopathic Infertility

Idiopathic infertility or unexplained infertility happens when a couple faces issues in conceiving but all medical tests are normal. There are no problems in male or female fertility but still pregnancy doesn’t happen. However, there are no specific symptoms but still there are some signs of this condition.

Some possible signs include the following:

• Trying to conceive for over a year with no success
• Regular periods and normal ovulation but no pregnancy
• Normal semen analysis in the male partner
• No signs of blocked fallopian tubes or hormonal imbalance
• Both partners are generally healthy with no known fertility issues

Idiopathic Infertility Causes

Idiopathic infertility means that the cause of infertility is not clearly known. Still, there are some hidden reasons that may silently affect your chances of getting pregnant. These causes may not always show up in reports but can still affect fertility.

Here are some possible causes of infertility in unexplained cases:

• Mild Hormonal Imbalance: Hormones may look normal in tests but still may not be working perfectly to help in pregnancy.
• Poor Egg or Sperm Quality: Eggs and sperm may appear normal but may not function well enough for fertilization.
• Immune System Issues: Sometimes the body’s immune response can affect the fertilization process or embryo growth.
• Cellular-Level Problems: Small problems in how the sperm and egg interact can stop fertilization even if everything seems good.
• Mild Endometriosis: Small spots of endometriosis can be missed in scans but it may still affect fertility.
• Lifestyle Factors: Unhealthy habits like poor diet, stress, smoking, or chemical exposure can silently harm fertility.

When to See a Fertility Specialist?

If you’ve been trying to get pregnant for a while without success then it may be time to talk to a fertility specialist. For most couples, doctors suggest seeing a specialist if you haven’t conceived after one year of regular unprotected sex. But in some cases, you don’t have to wait that long.

Here are some signs that you should see a fertility specialist:

• You’re under 35 and haven’t conceived after 12 months of trying.
• You’re 35 or older and haven’t conceived after 6 months of trying.
• You have a history of irregular periods, or no periods at all.
• You’ve had multiple miscarriages.
• You or your partner have a known reproductive health issue, like PCOS, endometriosis, or low sperm count.
• You’ve had pelvic infections or surgeries in the past.

Unexplained Infertility Diagnosis

Unexplained infertility is when a couple is unable to conceive even though all basic fertility tests show normal results. A proper fertility diagnosis is important to find out any hidden issues.

Here are some common tests which are done during fertility diagnosis:

• Ovulation Tests: This helps to check if the woman is releasing eggs regularly.
• Hormone Tests: This helps to measure levels like FSH, LH, AMH, and thyroid hormones.
• Ultrasound Scan: This helps to examine the uterus, ovaries, and follicle development.
• HSG (Hysterosalpingography): This helps to check if fallopian tubes are open.
• Semen Analysis: This helps to check the man’s sperm count, movement, and shape

Idiopathic Infertility Treatment Options

There are several treatment options that can help couples with unexplained infertility. It is often treated by focusing on methods that improve the chances to get pregnant, even without knowing the exact reason behind the problem.

Here are some common treatment options:

• Lifestyle Changes: It’s important to improve diet, reduce stress, avoid smoking and alcohol, and maintain a healthy weight to support natural fertility.
• Ovulation Induction: Medicines like Clomiphene Citrate or Letrozole may be used to help the woman to release eggs regularly.
• IUI (Intrauterine Insemination): Sperm is directly placed into the uterus during ovulation to increase the chance of pregnancy.
• IVF for Unexplained Infertility: Eggs and sperm are combined outside the body, and then a healthy embryo is placed in the uterus.
• Fertility Supplements: Some couples are advised to take multivitamins or antioxidants to improve egg and sperm quality.

Lifestyle Changes That Can Help- fertility journey

It’s very important to make lifestyle changes for couples who are dealing with idiopathic infertility. Improving your daily habits may help the body to function better and support natural conception.

Here are some simple lifestyle changes that can help:

• Eat a balanced diet: Include fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats to support hormone balance and reproductive health.
• Maintain a healthy weight: It’s important to maintain a healthy weight because being underweight or overweight can affect ovulation and sperm health.
• Exercise regularly: Try to do light to moderate physical activity to boost blood flow and reduce stress.
• Reduce stress: Stress can affect hormone levels so try relaxation techniques like yoga, meditation, or deep breathing.
• Avoid smoking and alcohol: These habits can reduce fertility in men and women. 
• Limit caffeine: Too much caffeine may affect your fertility, so keep intake moderate.
• Get enough sleep: Quality sleep helps your body to stay in balance, including your reproductive system.
• Stay hydrated: Drink enough water to support all body functions, including your reproductive health.

Final Words

It’s important to understand unexplained infertility, especially if you’ve been trying to conceive but haven’t found a clear reason behind the delay. In this blog, we’ve shared what idiopathic infertility means, its possible causes, signs, diagnosis methods, and treatment options. We also discussed simple lifestyle changes that may help support your reproductive health. It’s important to know about your body and make lifestyle changes to get the right treatment.

At RISAA IVF, Dr. Rita Bakshi (Senior Infertility Specialist and Gynaecologist) has helped many couples who were facing unexplained infertility to conceive successfully with the right care and guidance. If you’re unsure about your condition or need support with fertility, we are here to guide you. Call us at 95555 44421/22/23 or email at [email protected] for expert advice.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

• Is IVF more successful with unexplained infertility?

Yes, IVF often gives better results for couples with unexplained infertility when other treatments don’t work.

• How many people with unexplained infertility get pregnant?

Some couples conceive naturally within a year, while others need medical support like IUI or IVF.

• What is the difference between idiopathic and unexplained infertility?

There’s no difference—both terms mean no clear cause of infertility has been found after testing.

• What is the first line treatment for unexplained infertility?

Doctors may first suggest lifestyle changes, timed intercourse, or IUI before moving to IVF.