Female Infertility
Female infertility is defined as an inability to conceive after 12 months of regular unprotected sex (or 6 months for women over 35). It affects roughly one in six couples worldwide, and across South and Southeast Asia, delayed childbearing, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and thyroid disorders make ovulatory dysfunction a particularly frequent underlying cause.
Medicine used to treat Female Infertility
Why ovulation disorders sit at the centre
Many cases of female infertility trace back to irregular or absent ovulation rather than structural problems. PCOS is the single most common driver and is highly prevalent in India, Malaysia, and the Philippines. Other causes include hyperprolactinaemia, thyroid imbalance, premature ovarian insufficiency, and age-related decline in egg quality.
Structural factors such as blocked fallopian tubes, uterine fibroids, endometriosis, or adhesions from prior infections also play a role, as can unexplained infertility where no clear cause is found.
Stimulating ovulation with medicine
When ovulation is irregular or absent, first-line treatment often involves medicines that stimulate the ovaries to release an egg. Clomifene is the most established option: it works by blocking oestrogen receptors in the hypothalamus, prompting the body to produce more follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and triggering ovulation. It is used widely across women’s health for both PCOS-related anovulation and unexplained infertility.
Treatment is always guided by a specialist and typically combined with cycle monitoring to time intercourse or assisted reproduction procedures accurately. Women with a family history of PCOS or thyroid conditions should seek assessment early rather than waiting the full 12 months.