A Pune-based couple, Deepak (42) and Anagha (36) (names changed to protect privacy), struggled with infertility for seven years. Due to severe reproductive damage caused by Anagha’s past tuberculosis (TB) infection, doctors had advised the couple to consider adoption. Laparoscopic evaluation revealed fluid-filled fallopian tubes, a scarred uterus due to Asherman’s syndrome, and an endometrium too thin to sustain a pregnancy. With no further surgical options available, the couple approached Nova IVF Fertility, Lullanagar, Pune, as their final hope.
Advanced Regenerative Therapy Offers New Hope
At Nova IVF Fertility, specialists recommended Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy to regenerate and rejuvenate Anagha’s endometrium. Over nearly a year, the medical team closely monitored the gradual improvement in her uterine lining. Once the endometrium reached its optimal thickness for this case, doctors initiated in vitro fertilisation (IVF). As a result, the couple successfully conceived and recently welcomed a healthy baby boy.
Tuberculosis and Its Lasting Impact on Fertility
Anagha had been diagnosed with tuberculosis in 2019 and completed the prescribed treatment. However, the infection had already caused long-term damage to her reproductive organs. Over time, her menstrual flow became scanty, an early sign of poor endometrial growth that initially went unnoticed.
When the couple arrived at Nova IVF Fertility in 2023, multiple challenges persisted. Anagha’s endometrial thickness measured only 5.5 mm, well below the recommended 7 mm required to support implantation. In addition, her husband’s semen parameters showed mild compromise. Nevertheless, Anagha had a good ovarian reserve, encouraging the couple to pursue IVF as their last opportunity for biological parenthood.
A Year-Long Effort to Prepare the Uterus
During the IVF cycle, doctors successfully retrieved Anagha’s eggs and fertilised them with her husband’s sperm, resulting in healthy embryos. However, the major hurdle remained preparing the uterus to support pregnancy. Under the leadership of Dr Rupali Tambe, Fertility Specialist at Nova IVF Fertility, Lullanagar, Pune, the medical team dedicated nearly a year to improving the endometrial environment.
As per the press release, Anagha underwent hysteroscopy with metroplasty to correct the uterine cavity, followed by PRP therapy. Clinically proven to enhance endometrial growth, PRP is often used in cases of thin endometrium, repeated IVF failures, and, in select situations, low ovarian reserve.
Expert Insights on Individualised Fertility Care
Dr Rupali Tambe highlighted that reproductive infections can have lasting consequences. She explained that not only tuberculosis, but also sexually transmitted infections such as chlamydia and gonorrhoea, can cause silent yet permanent reproductive damage even after successful treatment. Many women recover from the infection but present years later with infertility as the only symptom. Therefore, early detection and personalised treatment remain critical.
She further emphasised the importance of the uterine environment in IVF success. While IVF often focuses on egg and sperm quality, the uterus and endometrium play an equally vital role. She compared the endometrium to soil and the embryo to a seed, noting that even a healthy embryo cannot implant in an unfavourable uterine lining. After extensive treatment, Anagha’s endometrial thickness improved to 6.7 mm, the maximum achievable in her case. With realistic expectations, timely intervention, and careful guidance, she noted, many patients can achieve biological parenthood.
Successful Embryo Transfer and Healthy Outcome
Once the medical team confirmed optimal conditions, doctors performed a single embryo transfer. The procedure resulted in a healthy pregnancy on the first attempt. The couple recently welcomed a baby boy, now about two months old.
Genital Tuberculosis: A Hidden Cause of Infertility
Genital tuberculosis remains an underdiagnosed form of TB with serious implications for female fertility. Medical research estimates that nearly 5% of women visiting infertility clinics worldwide have genital TB, most of them between 20 and 40 years of age. In India, where TB remains endemic, the disease often stays dormant for years after initial treatment, making infertility one of its most common and delayed presentations.