Radio-clinical Aspects of Infertility in Bangladeshi Women: A Cross-sectional Study

Infertility affects 17.5% of adults globally, with women facing severe social consequences. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial in addressing this significant health issue. This cross-sectional study aimed to evaluate the clinico-radiological status of infertility among Bangladeshi women and identify associated factors. A total of 35 women aged 18 and above who sought infertility care at Popular Diagnostic Centre, Dhaka, were included. After consent, participants underwent Hysterosalpingography (HSG) and Transvaginal Sonography (TVS). Data were collected via interviews and analyzed using SPSS (Version 23.0). The participants, all married, had an average age of 29.0±6.30 years. Most were Muslim (88.6%) and homemakers (80.0%), with 25.7% having a college/university education. Secondary infertility (65.8%) was more common than primary infertility (34.3%). The average marriage duration was 8.93±5.26 years. Comorbidities were noted in 74.3%, including anxiety/depression (34.3%), obesity (25.7%), thyroid dysfunction (25.7%) and diabetes (8.6%). Hysterosalpingography (HSG) showed normal findings in 60.0%, while others had abnormalities like a bicornuate uterus, tubal blockages, or cervical incompetence. Only 11.6% had normal Transvaginal Sonography (TVS) results. Common findings included absent dominant follicles (28.6%), PCOS (20.0%) and a right ovarian chocolate cyst (5.8%). All participants were undergoing hormonal or fertility treatment during TVS. No statistically significant associations were found between participants' diagnoses, their husbands' semen analysis, or age and abnormal HSG or TVS findings. The revelations of this study underscore the urgency of addressing infertility in Bangladesh, aiding strategy development and resource allocation for better management in resource-limited settings.