With Indonesia’s population of over 270 million, fertility might seem like the last thing couples need to worry about. Yet the reality is that many couples who wish to have children face significant challenges in reaching that goal due to infertility issues. As Indonesia’s economy continues to develop, many couples who previously deferred starting a family are now actively working toward that goal.
In the past, a common response for those who could afford it was to travel to Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, or elsewhere for infertility diagnosis and treatments. While international options remain available, the good news is that Indonesia’s own fertility care sector has grown enormously. The number of IVF clinics in the country increased from 14 in 2011 to over 41 by 2020, and has continued to grow since. Jakarta in particular is now home to several internationally benchmarked fertility centres serving both Indonesian and expatriate couples.
What Is Infertility?
Infertility is usually defined as not being able to get pregnant after one year of well-timed and unprotected sexual intercourse. “Unprotected” here refers to not using birth control devices or methods. A broader view of infertility also includes not being able to carry a pregnancy to term.
According to the World Health Organization (2023), approximately 1 in 6 people globally — or around 17.5% of the world’s population — have experienced infertility at some point in their reproductive lives. This makes infertility one of the most common medical challenges facing couples worldwide. Indonesian-specific population data remains limited, but the global figure underscores how widespread the condition is.
Who Is Affected by Infertility?
Statistics vary, but infertility causes are broadly distributed between partners:
- Roughly one-third of cases involve female factors (ovulation disorders, tubal issues, etc.)
- Roughly one-third involve male factors (poor sperm motility, low sperm count, erectile dysfunction, etc.)
- The remaining third are caused by a combination of male and female factors, or the cause is unknown
There is also a condition known as secondary infertility, where pregnancy has previously been achieved without difficulty but a subsequent pregnancy cannot be achieved easily.
What Is Female Infertility?
Infertility in women may be due to problems with ovulation, barriers to egg and sperm meeting, barriers to implantation, poor hormonal support of the early pregnancy, immune system irregularities, or any combination of the above. Testing is carried out to help determine which of these factors may be involved and how to proceed with treatment.
Top Causes of Female Infertility
Structural Issues
Structural issues account for about 15% of female-factor infertility. These usually refer to problems with a woman’s anatomy, such as a blockage in the fallopian tube, a fibroid in the uterus, or a problem with the cervix. Some of these may result from previous medications or surgeries. Some causes may be treated with surgical intervention while others require specialised treatment.
Mechanical Issues
Around 25–40% of women will have fertility problems due to mechanical issues, such as scar tissue blocking the fallopian tubes or uterus. This can be caused by pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) or endometriosis.
Ovulatory Issues
As many as 30% of female-factor infertility cases are due to problems with ovulation. This may include complete ovarian failure due to hormonal issues or irregularities in the timing and detection of ovulation.
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most significant and commonly overlooked causes of ovulatory infertility. PCOS is responsible for up to 90% of anovulation (lack of ovulation) cases, and affects an estimated 5–10% of women of childbearing age. Women with PCOS may have irregular or absent periods, excess androgen levels, and multiple small follicles on the ovaries. It is highly treatable with medications and lifestyle changes, and early diagnosis is important.
Ovulatory irregularities are usually evaluated and treated with medications to help restore ovarian function.
Multiple or Unknown Factors
It is possible for a woman to have multiple factors contributing to her infertility. This is why prompt medical evaluation by a qualified practitioner is always important. Approximately 10% of women will have no identifiable cause of infertility.
The Emotional Impact of Infertility
For some, receiving a diagnosis of infertility is actually a relief — confirmation that the difficulties were not imagined, and a first step toward finding a solution. For others, the label of “infertile” is simply painful. For both groups, and everyone in between, finding emotional support is an important part of the journey. Many fertility clinics now require or strongly recommend psychological counselling for couples undergoing infertility treatment.
How Does Age Affect Fertility?
As we get older, fertility decreases in both men and women. But it is not just the absence of eggs at menopause that reduces female fertility — changes begin well before then. These include:
- A decline in egg quality with age
- A reduced ability of eggs to become fertilised over time
- A smaller number of eggs remaining (known as diminished ovarian reserve)
- Hormonal changes that affect ovulation
- An increased miscarriage rate — approximately 20% at age 35, rising to as high as 80% by age 45
- General health conditions such as high blood pressure and diabetes, which can affect the ability to conceive or sustain a pregnancy
Women also have more opportunity over time to acquire pelvic infections, uterine fibroids or polyps, or other conditions that can impair fertility.
When Should I See a Doctor?
If you are under 35 and have no other known health problems affecting your fertility, the general recommendation is to try for one year of well-timed, unprotected intercourse before consulting a fertility specialist (also known as a reproductive endocrinologist).
If you are over 35, or have known medical issues — such as irregular periods, PCOS, endometriosis, or a history of pelvic infections — you should seek evaluation after six months of trying without success.
If you are over 40, or have reason to believe your ovarian reserve may be low, it is advisable to seek evaluation even sooner — ideally before you start trying. Earlier intervention leads to better outcomes.
Treatment Options
In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF)
IVF remains one of the most effective treatments for a wide range of infertility causes. It involves stimulating the ovaries to produce multiple eggs using fertility medications, retrieving those eggs, fertilising them with sperm in a laboratory setting, and then transferring the resulting embryo(s) back into the uterus.
Modern IVF has advanced considerably since the procedure was first introduced. Today’s IVF commonly incorporates:
- Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) — where a single sperm is injected directly into an egg, particularly useful when male-factor infertility is involved
- Preimplantation Genetic Testing (PGT) — genetic screening of embryos before transfer to reduce the risk of miscarriage and chromosomal abnormalities
- Vitrification (flash-freezing) — a highly effective egg and embryo freezing method that allows unused embryos to be stored for future cycles
- Time-lapse incubators — allowing continuous monitoring of embryo development without disturbing them
- AI-assisted embryo selection — artificial intelligence tools that analyse embryo images and help identify those most likely to result in successful implantation
In Indonesia, IVF pregnancy rates have ranged from 24.6% to 37.3% per cycle across reported clinics, comparable with international benchmarks.
Other Assisted Reproductive Technologies
Depending on the cause of infertility, other treatments may be recommended before or instead of IVF:
- Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) — placing sperm directly into the uterus around the time of ovulation
- Ovulation induction — using medications to stimulate ovulation in women who do not ovulate regularly
- Egg freezing (oocyte cryopreservation) — for women who wish to preserve their fertility for future use, whether for medical or personal reasons
- Surgical treatments — laparoscopy or hysteroscopy to address structural issues such as endometriosis, fibroids, or blocked tubes
- Male fertility treatments — including PESA, MESA, TESA, and TESE procedures for retrieving sperm when natural ejaculation is not possible
Fertility Clinics in Jakarta and Indonesia
Indonesia now has a well-developed network of fertility clinics. Below are some of the centres offering infertility consultations and treatments:
Jakarta
- Morula IVF Jakarta — Bunda International Clinic, Menteng (part of Bundamedik Healthcare System)
- Bocah Indonesia Fertility Clinic — Jl. Gaya Motor Raya No. 15, Sunter, North Jakarta
- Yasmin IVF Clinic — Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital
- RS Pondok Indah IVF Centre — Pondok Indah
- RS Ibu dan Anak Kemang Medical Care — Kemang
- RS Ibu dan Anak Brawijaya — Cipete
- Rumah Sakit Asri — Jl. Duren Tiga, South Jakarta
- Jasmine Clinic — RS Harapan Kita
- RS Columbia Asia — Pulomas, East Jakarta
Surabaya
- RS Siloam Surabaya
- RS Dr. Sutomo IVF Clinic
Other Cities
- Morula IVF Melinda — Bandung
- RSIA Gladiool IVF — Magelang, Central Java
- Royal IVF Clinic — RSIA Bali Royal, Bali
This list is not exhaustive. The number of fertility clinics across Indonesia continues to grow. Your GP or specialist can help refer you to an appropriate centre in your area.
A Note on Travelling Abroad
While Singapore, Malaysia, and Australia remain options for those seeking specific treatments or second opinions, couples in Indonesia are no longer required to travel overseas to access high-quality fertility care. Many Jakarta clinics now benchmark their success rates against international bodies such as the UK’s HFEA and Australia’s VARTA, and offer the same range of technologies and procedures available internationally.
Disclaimer
We trust this information will assist you in making informed choices regarding your health and welfare. However, it is not intended to be a substitute for personalised advice from your medical adviser. Always consult a qualified fertility specialist for guidance tailored to your individual circumstances.
Originally contributed by Dr. Ivan R. Sini, SpOG, Morula IVF Jakarta. Revised and updated June 2026.
