INTRODUCTION
God created the universe and blessed all living things with the ability to procreate. This is God's greatest gift to all living beings. Ever since the evolution of society began, the human beings have been extremely conscious of this fact. To be the master of the world, man had to outnumber so many large and powerful, but less intelligent, animals.
Numerical superiority is the basic necessity for maintaining control over this planet. May be the purpose of life itself is not fulfilled without procreation. The instinctive desire to reproduce has to be satisfied. There could also be a desire for reproduction for inheritance of name and property. It could simply be pressure from senior members of the family or a mother-in-law, who want a couple to have a baby immediately after their marriage, contrary to what the couple desires about starting a family.
It is common to meet couples not having any desire to reproduce. If anything, they are averse to this idea. In such couples, lack of interest in one partner will be frustrating the desire of the other by being noncooperative. This noncooperation may manifest in infrequent coitus or reluctance to have proper guidance and investigations. This negative attitude is usually due to personal reasons but it could also be due to a conviction that any further additions to an already overpopulated world would be detrimental. The couple may feel that they would be unable to look after the child as well as they would wish. This may be due to economic, social, or professional reasons. However, such couples are in a minority. Most of the couples do wish to have at least one baby; in some cases at least one male.
Yet, unfortunately, in every society there is a large percentage of couples who are unable to produce a baby. In spite of their best efforts and application, they fail to procreate. They fail to achieve what comes naturally and in abundance to others. They try desperately every month without any luck. One can imagine their disappointment and desperation.
Unfortunately, 20% of all the married couples suffer from involuntary subfertility which leads to frustration and unhappiness. These subfertile couples welcome, and in fact, seek any kind of help, assistance or treatment which is forthcoming. Therefore, it is quite common to see even educated couples being duped, swindled and mismanaged by quacks. They also frequent shrines to make offerings/sacrifices in the name of Peers/Fakirs.2
Whatever is the motive or driving force for such a desperate desire to have a baby, it is important that the problem should be clearly comprehended and scientifically/professionally treated. Instead of running from pillar to post and knocking at the doors of imposters, charlatans and cheats, such couples must know the causes of subfertility and available remedies. To save such couples from this fruitless yet expensive exercise, I have written the following chapters. I do hope they fulfill the objective.