If proper & extensive investigations fail to identify any abnormality in either partner, is called unexplained infertility.
Unexplained infertility affects 20-25% of infertile couples. In the majority of these cases, the failure to reach a diagnosis is not due to inadequate investigations, but is probably due to other factors which cannot be assessed using conventional tests. For example, it is not currently possible to determine if the eggs are actually released at the time of supposed ovulation; if the fallopian tubes are able to pick up the eggs; if the sperm are capable of reaching the site of fertilisation; or if the eggs can be fertilised by the sperm.
In cases of unexplained infertility, assisted conception in the form of IVF is both diagnostic and therapeutic. For example, if the eggs are not released naturally, we release them by performing egg collection; if the tubes are not picking up the eggs, we bypass them when we perform IVF, if the sperm cannot reach the site of fertilisation, we overcome this by placing it with the eggs. Finally, we can confirm fertilisation by IVF.
