The husband was a known case of Type 2 Diabetes and suffered from erectile dysfunction, while the wife had been diagnosed with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) and vaginismus
Representational Image. File Pic
A Mumbai couple, married for five years and trying to conceive for over a year, had been silently struggling with infertility because of sexual health challenges. Through personalised treatment, advanced reproductive techniques, and empathetic counselling, they recently welcomed a healthy baby boy.
The husband was a known case of Type 2 Diabetes and suffered from erectile dysfunction, while the wife had been diagnosed with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) and vaginismus. Due to vaginismus, a condition that causes involuntary tightening of vaginal muscles, making examinations and intercourse difficult, she initially found it difficult to even undergo internal examinations. With reassurance and gradual counselling by the clinical team, she was able to tolerate transvaginal ultrasonography and proceed with further evaluation.
All routine fertility investigations were within normal limits. The couple was initially advised to undergo intrauterine insemination (IUI). However, on the day of the procedure, the husband was unable to provide a semen sample, leading to cancellation of the cycle. Despite counselling regarding natural intercourse, this was not feasible due to ongoing sexual dysfunction concerns.
Dr Sulbha Arora, clinical director and Fertility Specialist at Nova IVF Fertility, Andheri, said, “This was not just a case of infertility, but a combination of medical and sexual health challenges affecting both partners. The husband’s diabetes-related erectile dysfunction and inability to ejaculate, along with the wife’s PCOS and vaginismus, made even basic fertility procedures difficult. In such cases, medical expertise alone is not enough; compassionate psychological counselling and individualized planning are equally critical. By using electroejaculation and carefully timed IVF, we were able to help the couple achieve pregnancy in their very first attempt. To make the treatment more holistic, we have also advised the husband to keep his Diabetes in check, and the wife to consult a sexual health expert for Vaginismus.”
After detailed counselling regarding available options, the couple opted to proceed with IVF. Considering the husband’s erectile dysfunction and inability to ejaculate through masturbation, the fertility team planned electroejaculation, a specialised medical technique used to retrieve semen in men who are unable to ejaculate naturally.
Oocyte retrieval was done, and the semen sample was taken. The semen sample retrieved through electroejaculation showed a concentration of 10 million/ml sperms. Fertilization was successful, and frozen embryo transfer (FET) was subsequently performed. The couple achieved pregnancy in their very first IVF attempt. They welcomed a healthy baby boy.
Male infertility and sexual dysfunction: A silent concern
“Infertility is not solely a woman’s issue. Male factors contribute to nearly 40 per cent of infertility cases. Conditions like diabetes, erectile dysfunction, ejaculatory disorders, and hormonal imbalances can directly impact fertility. Unfortunately, many men hesitate to seek medical help due to stigma. In this case, timely diagnosis, counselling, and use of advanced reproductive techniques made it possible for the couple to have a biological child,” emphasised Dr Arora.
Erectile dysfunction, particularly in men with chronic conditions such as diabetes, can significantly affect both sexual health and fertility potential. Similarly, vaginismus can create barriers not only to natural conception but also to routine fertility evaluations. When both partners face simultaneous challenges, emotional stress further compounds the difficulty.
The wife shared, “For a long time, we were facing trouble conceiving because of our sexual health issues. It changed when the doctors and staff at the facility, treated us with kindness, patience, and absolutely no judgment."
"We were even given psychological counselling at the fertility clinic. They stood by us at every step, explaining each decision and giving us hope when we had almost given up. We are deeply grateful to the doctors and the entire team for giving us not just treatment, but immense strength when we felt very lonely in this journey," the husband added.
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