We offer laparoscopic surgical intervention in the following areas:

– Laparoscopic appendectomy

– Laparoscopic gallbladder surgery

– Laparoscopic hernia repair

– Laparoscopic gynecological surgery

– Laparoscopic surgery for diagnostic purposes

– Laparoscopic surgery for treatments of abdominal pain and disorders of the pelvis.

Why Is Punit Hospital Considered the Best for Laparoscopic Surgery in Mumbai?

Punit Hospital combines compassion and laparoscopic expertise for the following:

– Laparoscopic surgeons with immense experience in surgery

– Modern laparoscopic instruments in advanced OT facilities

– Individual treatment programs

– Early recovery with minimal pain

– Numerous successful laparoscopic surgeries

A stepwise strategy from care and counseling to recovery support assures patients of an uncomplicated journey through surgery.

A Saharan Success Story

Nadia had been reluctant to undergo surgery and had been living with inguinal hernia for over 5 years. This is the story of her successful laparoscopic surgery at Punit Hospital.

Post-operative recovery:

– Rapid healing

– Resumption of normal activities within 5-10 days

– Reduced need for pain medication

– Greater willingness to move

Laparoscopic surgery is especially useful for professional patients or those unable to take time off IC for undergoing surgery.

Laparoscopic surgery FAQs

1) Is laparoscopy surgery painful?

Not in comparison to open surgery.

2) What is the recovery time?

Varies, but generally a few days to 1 week.

3) Is laparoscopy surgery safe?

Yes, if conducted by experts. It is quite safe.

4) What is the duration of the surgery?

30 mins to a few hours depending on the condition.

5) Who is a candidate for lap surgery?

Common candidates include gallstones, hernia, and appendicitis, as well as fibroids and cysts.

Punit Hospital

Address:- Office Number 2, 1st Floor, Burhani Heritage CHS LTD, M.G. ROAD, Kandivali (West), Mumbai

Phone: +91-9920506659

Website: https://punithospital.com

Connect with us

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/punitfertility

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/punitfertility/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PunitHospital-j9l

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One of the things I’ve noticed over years of doing IVF is that patients who come in with a clear understanding of what’s going to happen do better — not just clinically, but emotionally. The unexpected is harder than the difficult.

So here is the most honest, complete walkthrough I can give you of what an IVF cycle at Punit Fertility, Kandivali actually involves — from start to finish.

Step 1: Pre-Cycle Workup (2–4 Weeks Before Starting)

Before injecting a single hormone, I need a complete picture of where you’re starting from. This includes:

• Hormone panel on Day 2–3 of your period: FSH, LH, AMH, oestradiol, thyroid
• Transvaginal ultrasound: counting antral follicles, assessing the uterus
• Uterine cavity assessment — hysteroscopy or saline infusion sonography
• Semen analysis (and DNA fragmentation if indicated)
• Infectious disease screening for both partners

This baseline determines your stimulation protocol. There is no single standard protocol — I customise based on your ovarian reserve, age, and any previous cycle data.

Step 2: Ovarian Stimulation — 10 to 14 Days

The cycle starts on Day 2–3 of your period. You’ll give yourself daily subcutaneous injections of gonadotropins (FSH and/or LH) — I teach you how, and it becomes routine after the first day or two. The goal is to grow multiple follicles simultaneously.

Monitoring: you’ll come to the clinic every 2–3 days for transvaginal ultrasound scans to check follicle growth and blood tests to track hormone levels. I adjust the medication dose based on your response. This monitoring is where most of your clinic visits are concentrated.

Side effects: bloating, breast tenderness, and mood fluctuations are common. Most women manage this well. Severe ovarian hyperstimulation (OHSS) is monitored for carefully and managed if it develops.

Step 3: The Trigger Injection

When the leading follicles reach approximately 18–20mm, you’ll give yourself a “trigger shot” — usually hCG or a GnRH agonist — to mature the eggs for retrieval. The timing is precise: egg retrieval is scheduled exactly 34–36 hours later. This is the injection you cannot miss or get wrong.

Step 4: Egg Retrieval

A day procedure. You come in fasting, receive intravenous sedation (you’re not under general anaesthesia — you’re comfortably sedated), and I retrieve the eggs using a fine needle guided by ultrasound through the vaginal wall. You’re not aware of this happening. It takes about 20–30 minutes.

Immediately after, our embryologist counts and assesses the retrieved eggs. You’ll know the number within an hour of waking up. Some women feel fine within hours; others are sore and bloated for 1–2 days. Most take one day off work.

Step 5: Fertilisation in the Lab

The eggs go straight to the embryology lab. Depending on sperm quality, fertilisation happens via conventional IVF or ICSI. The next morning, the embryologist checks fertilisation — typically 70–80% of mature eggs fertilise successfully. You’ll get a call with this update.

Step 6: Embryo Culture (Days 1–5)

Embryos are cultured in the laboratory under carefully controlled conditions. We watch their development daily. By Day 5, the best embryos reach blastocyst stage — this is the optimal point for transfer, as it naturally selects the most viable embryos.

You’ll get updates throughout this period. This part of the process is entirely in the embryologist’s hands — and it’s where the best labs make a real difference.

Step 7: Embryo Transfer

The lightest part of the cycle. You come in with a comfortably full bladder (for ultrasound guidance), and I pass a thin, flexible catheter through the cervix to gently place the embryo(s) in the uterine cavity. No sedation needed. It takes about 5–10 minutes. You can go home afterwards and resume normal, gentle activity.

Progesterone supplementation (pessaries or injections) starts immediately and continues for several weeks if pregnancy is confirmed.

Step 8: The Two-Week Wait

Twelve to fourteen days between transfer and your blood pregnancy test. I won’t minimise this — it’s genuinely hard. Most patients find this the most emotionally difficult part of the whole process. Gentle activity is fine. There’s nothing you can do (or eat, or avoid) that will change the outcome — the embryo either implants or it doesn’t. Try to be kind to yourself during this time.

Step 9: The Beta hCG Test

A blood test measuring hCG — the pregnancy hormone. Positive: you’ll have an ultrasound at 6–7 weeks to confirm a heartbeat and the number of sacs. Negative: we’ll have a conversation about what happened, what our next step is, and — if frozen embryos remain — when to plan the next transfer.

You Won’t Go Through This Alone

At Punit Fertility, we’re available throughout your cycle — for questions, for concerns, for the moments when the anxiety peaks and you need to speak to someone who knows your case. This is a partnership.

Begin your IVF journey at Punit Fertility, Kandivali Mumbai

The post Starting IVF: An Honest, Step-by-Step Guide to What Actually Happens appeared first on Punit Fertility & Women's Center.

And I understand why. It can feel unnecessary when you feel fine. It’s easy to deprioritise when life is busy. And honestly, nobody hands you a clear, practical list of what to actually get checked and when.

So here it is. A decade-by-decade guide to women’s health screening — relevant to Indian women, practical to follow.

In Your 20s: Establishing a Baseline

Your 20s are a good time to understand what your “normal” looks like — before problems develop.

• Blood pressure: Every 1–2 years. High BP is common even in young women and causes no symptoms.
• Thyroid (TSH): Thyroid disease is extremely prevalent in Indian women — often undiagnosed for years. Test once in your mid-20s and if symptoms suggest it.
• Haemoglobin/CBC: Iron deficiency anaemia is extremely common in young Indian women. Check it.
• Pap smear: From age 21 if you’re sexually active. Every 3 years.
• Vitamin D and B12: Both frequently deficient in urban Indian women regardless of diet.
• Blood sugar: If overweight, have PCOS, or family history of diabetes.

In Your 30s: Fertility, Hormones, and Heart Health

This decade brings more health considerations — particularly for women thinking about pregnancy.

• All of the above, plus:
• AMH test: If you’re not planning pregnancy yet but want to know your fertility timeline — AMH gives you important information.
• Lipid profile: Cholesterol matters from your 30s onwards, particularly with family history of heart disease.
• Pap smear + HPV co-test: From age 30, HPV testing adds important information.
• Liver function: Especially with regular medication use or alcohol consumption.
• Blood sugar (fasting): Diabetes is appearing earlier in India. Screen regularly.

In Your 40s: Cancer Screening Becomes Critical

This is the decade where proactive screening genuinely saves lives.

• All of the above, plus:
• Mammogram: Start at 40, annually or every 2 years depending on risk.
• Bone density (DEXA scan): If risk factors for osteoporosis are present — family history, low body weight, steroid use.
• HbA1c: More comprehensive diabetes assessment than fasting glucose alone.
• Cardiac assessment: ECG, and if risk factors are present — stress test or echocardiogram.
• Perimenopause assessment: If your periods are changing, discuss hormonal options proactively.

In Your 50s and Beyond: Protecting Bones, Heart, and Beyond

• DEXA scan: All postmenopausal women — bone density needs monitoring.
• Lipid and cardiac profile: Heart disease risk rises significantly after menopause.
• Colorectal cancer screening: Colonoscopy from age 45–50.
• Postmenopausal bleeding: Any bleeding after menopause — see a doctor immediately, every time.
• Eye and dental exams: Annually.

Ongoing at Every Age

• Weight and BMI monitoring
• Blood pressure
• Cervical screening (until age 65)
• Breast awareness
• Mental health — as important as physical health

Come in for Your Health Check at Punit Fertility, Kandivali

At Punit Fertility & Women’s Center, we care for women at every stage of life — not just during fertility treatment. Dr. Miral Patel provides comprehensive women’s health care including all the screenings above.

Book a women’s health checkup at Punit Fertility Mumbai

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Normal menstrual bleeding follows a pattern — roughly the same timing, roughly the same flow, every month. When bleeding happens outside that pattern — heavier than expected, between periods, after sex, or after menopause — it deserves attention.

Abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) is one of the most common reasons women come to see me, and there’s a very wide range of possible causes — from simple and benign to something that needs urgent investigation. The important thing is not to dismiss it.

The Different Types of AUB

• Heavy menstrual bleeding (menorrhagia): Soaking through a pad every hour or two, large clots, lasting more than 7 days
• Irregular timing: Periods coming unpredictably — every 2 weeks sometimes, skipped other months
• Intermenstrual bleeding: Spotting or bleeding between regular periods
• Postcoital bleeding: Bleeding after sexual intercourse
• Postmenopausal bleeding: Any vaginal bleeding after 12 consecutive months without a period — this always needs urgent investigation

The Most Common Causes

Structural Problems

Polyps: Small fleshy growths in the uterine cavity or on the cervix. Very common, usually benign, but they cause irregular bleeding and impair fertility. Easily removed via hysteroscopy.

Fibroids: Especially submucosal fibroids (inside the cavity) — classic cause of heavy periods. Treatment depends on size and location.

Adenomyosis: Uterine lining tissue growing into the muscle wall — causes heavy, painful periods with a “boggy” enlarged uterus. Managed with hormonal treatment or, in severe cases, surgery.

Hormonal Causes

Irregular ovulation (from PCOS, thyroid disease, perimenopause, or stress) causes an unpredictable hormonal environment — leading to irregular, sometimes heavy bleeding. Often managed with hormonal treatment once the underlying cause is identified.

Medication-Related

Blood thinners (anticoagulants), certain antidepressants, and hormonal contraceptives can all cause abnormal bleeding patterns.

Always Worth Ruling Out

Endometrial cancer (uterine cancer) presents with abnormal bleeding — particularly heavy bleeding in postmenopausal women or women over 45. It’s not common, but it’s the reason abnormal bleeding should always be properly investigated rather than assumed to be benign.

What Investigation Involves

• Transvaginal ultrasound — first-line test, assesses the uterus and ovaries
• Blood tests — hormonal panel, thyroid, blood count (to check for anaemia)
• Hysteroscopy — direct view inside the uterine cavity when ultrasound is insufficient
• Endometrial biopsy — tissue sample from the uterine lining when cancer needs to be ruled out

Don’t Wait to Be Seen

At Punit Fertility & Women’s Center, Kandivali Mumbai, we provide prompt, thorough evaluation of abnormal uterine bleeding with all diagnostic and treatment options available in one place.

Book an evaluation for abnormal uterine bleeding at Punit Fertility

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Your gynecologist will be one of your most important healthcare relationships — especially if you’re trying to conceive, navigating a complicated pregnancy, or managing a chronic condition. Getting this choice right is worth thinking about carefully.

And it’s not always about finding the “most famous” doctor or the clinic with the most impressive website. Here’s what actually matters.

Qualifications: What to Look For

At minimum, look for MBBS + DGO or MD/MS in Obstetrics & Gynecology. For fertility-specific concerns, additional training matters significantly:

• Fellowship in Reproductive Medicine (FRM) or Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART)
• DNB in Reproductive Medicine
• Membership of Indian Society for Assisted Reproduction (ISAR)

Dr. Miral Patel at Punit Fertility holds MBBS, DGO, DNB, and a Fellowship in Reproductive Medicine — the combination that defines a superspecialist in fertility.

Experience With Your Specific Problem

A general gynecologist is excellent for routine antenatal care, contraception, and common procedures. But if you have PCOS, endometriosis, recurrent miscarriage, or need IVF — you want someone with dedicated subspecialty experience in that area. The difference in outcomes is real.

Ask directly: “How many patients with my condition do you see? What’s your approach to this?”

The Clinic’s IVF Lab (If Fertility Is Your Concern)

For IVF specifically — the doctor is important, but so is the laboratory. Embryologist experience, laboratory protocols, culture media, incubator quality — these all affect embryo development and outcome. Ask about the lab’s quality indicators.

How the Doctor Communicates

This one is underrated. A brilliant clinician who doesn’t explain things clearly or dismisses your questions is not the right fit. You should leave every appointment understanding what’s happening and why. If you consistently feel rushed or dismissed, that’s a legitimate reason to seek care elsewhere.

Red Flags That Should Concern You

• A guaranteed pregnancy success rate — no ethical clinic guarantees pregnancy
• Pressure to start IVF immediately without completing a basic workup
• Inability or unwillingness to explain why they’re recommending a particular test or treatment
• No clarity on what’s included in treatment packages
• Dismissing your concerns or symptoms as unimportant

Location and Accessibility

For fertility treatment particularly, you’ll have many monitoring appointments — sometimes every 2–3 days during a stimulation cycle. A clinic that’s accessible from your home or work in Mumbai matters practically. Punit Fertility is located in Kandivali, convenient for patients across the western suburbs.

Come and Meet Us First

The best way to know if a doctor is right for you is to meet them. A first consultation is a conversation — not a commitment. At Punit Fertility, we encourage you to ask everything you want to know before making any decisions.

Book a consultation with Dr. Miral Patel at Punit Fertility, Kandivali Mumbai

The post How to Find the Right Gynecologist in Mumbai (Without Getting It Wrong) appeared first on Punit Fertility & Women's Center.

I see this pattern regularly: a woman comes in for fertility or obstetric care, we discuss her general health, and it turns out she’s never had a Pap smear. Or she’s 45 and hasn’t had a mammogram. Not because she doesn’t care about her health — but because no one sat her down and told her clearly what she needs and when.

Cancer screening works when it’s done on schedule — because many cancers are highly treatable when caught early and far more difficult when caught late. Here’s what every woman should know.

Cervical Cancer: One of the Most Preventable Cancers

Cervical cancer is almost entirely caused by HPV — human papillomavirus. It’s preventable with vaccination and detectable early with screening. And yet it remains one of the most common cancers in Indian women, largely because screening rates are low.

Pap Smear

A Pap smear collects cells from the cervix to check for abnormal changes before they become cancer. It’s done in the clinic in about 5 minutes — a small brush samples the cervix. Mild discomfort for a moment, nothing more.

Who needs it: All women 21–65 who are or have been sexually active
How often: Every 3 years (or every 5 years combined with HPV test after age 30)

HPV Vaccination

Ideally given before sexual activity begins (ages 9–14), but beneficial up to age 26 and considered in some cases up to 45. This vaccination prevents the strains of HPV that cause the vast majority of cervical cancers.

Breast Cancer Screening

Mammogram

A low-dose X-ray that can detect tumours years before they become palpable.
When to start: Age 40 (earlier if first-degree relative had breast cancer before 50)
How often: Annually or every 2 years — discuss with your doctor based on your risk

Know Your Breasts

Be familiar with how your breasts look and feel. Report any new lump, skin dimpling, nipple inversion, discharge, or change in size or shape to your doctor promptly.

Endometrial Cancer: Symptoms to Never Ignore

There’s no routine screening test for endometrial (uterine) cancer. But there is a very reliable symptom: postmenopausal bleeding. Any bleeding after 12 months without a period must be investigated — it’s not “just your body adjusting.” An ultrasound and possibly an endometrial biopsy will be done to rule out cancer.

Ovarian Cancer: The Silent One

Ovarian cancer is notoriously difficult to detect early — there’s no reliable screening test for average-risk women. Awareness is key. If you experience persistent bloating, early fullness when eating, pelvic or abdominal pain, or urinary urgency — especially lasting more than 2–3 weeks — don’t dismiss it.

Screening at Punit Fertility, Kandivali

At Punit Fertility & Women’s Center, we offer cancer screening including Pap smears, breast examination, and HPV testing. Don’t put it off.

Book a women’s cancer screening at Punit Fertility

The post Cancer Screening for Women: What You Actually Need and When appeared first on Punit Fertility & Women's Center.

Every week I see teenage girls or young women in their early 20s who have been managing severe period pain, very heavy bleeding, or wildly irregular cycles for years — without ever being evaluated. “My mum had bad periods too.” “The school nurse said it was normal.” “I didn’t think I should see a gynecologist yet.”

Adolescent gynecology is a real and important field. And addressing period problems early — rather than waiting until they’re trying to conceive years later — can make an enormous difference to both quality of life and long-term reproductive health.

When Should a Young Woman First See a Gynecologist?

The general recommendation is between ages 13–15 for a first educational visit — not necessarily an examination, just a conversation about what to expect from periods and reproductive health. After that, any of the following warrants a proper appointment:

• Periods haven’t started by age 15–16
• Severe menstrual pain — missing school or social events
• Very heavy periods — soaking through protection in under an hour
• Cycles consistently shorter than 21 or longer than 45 days
• Excess facial or body hair, acne, and irregular periods together (possible PCOS)
• Unusual vaginal discharge or pelvic pain

PCOS in Teenagers: More Common Than You Think

PCOS often begins around the time of puberty. Irregular periods, acne, and excess hair growth in teenage girls are frequently dismissed as “normal puberty.” Sometimes they are. But PCOS in adolescence is also genuinely common — and early diagnosis and management significantly reduces long-term consequences including fertility problems and metabolic disease.

If your daughter has irregular periods plus acne plus any excess hair growth — it’s worth an evaluation, not a wait-and-see.

Endometriosis Often Starts in the Teens

This is the one that frustrates me most about delayed care. Endometriosis — a condition that causes scarring inside the pelvis and often impairs fertility — frequently begins in the teenage years with severe period pain. The average time from first symptoms to diagnosis is still 7–10 years.

Severe period pain in a teenager deserves investigation. If she’s missing school regularly, if ibuprofen barely touches it, if the pain starts days before the period — please bring her in.

Primary Amenorrhoea: When Periods Don’t Start

If a young woman hasn’t started her period by age 15–16, that’s called primary amenorrhoea and needs investigation. Causes range from low body weight or excessive exercise, to structural issues, to chromosomal conditions — all of which are better managed when identified early.

A Safe, Comfortable Space at Punit Fertility

I understand that visiting a gynecologist for the first time is daunting — for the young woman and often for her mother too. At Punit Fertility & Women’s Center, Kandivali, we create a genuinely private, non-judgmental environment where questions are welcome and examinations are done only when necessary.

Book an adolescent gynecology appointment at Punit Fertility

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In a world where everyone talks about IVF, IUI often gets overlooked. It doesn’t have the drama of egg retrieval, the complexity of the lab, or the big price tag. And maybe partly because of that, it doesn’t get the credit it deserves.

But at Punit Fertility, some of the most gratifying outcomes I see are couples who came in convinced they’d need IVF — and who conceived on their first or second IUI cycle.

Here’s when IUI works, how it works, and what you can realistically expect.

What IUI Actually Does

The procedure itself is simple: after carefully washing and processing a sperm sample (which concentrates the motile sperm and removes debris), we use a thin flexible catheter to place the sperm directly into the uterus, precisely timed to coincide with ovulation.

This achieves two things that natural intercourse can’t always guarantee:

1. The sperm bypasses the cervix entirely — important when cervical mucus is hostile or a structural issue exists
2. We place millions of concentrated, processed sperm exactly where they need to be, at exactly the right time

Combined with ovulation induction medication (to ensure we know exactly when ovulation is happening), it’s a precisely timed, concentrated effort at conception.

The Couples Who Do Best With IUI

In my experience, IUI consistently delivers good results for:

Unexplained Infertility (Under 35)

When everything looks normal but pregnancy isn’t happening, IUI is often the most logical first step. It improves the probability per cycle without the cost and complexity of IVF.

Mild Male Factor

Borderline semen analysis — slightly low count, slightly reduced motility — responds well. The processing step concentrates the best sperm, and direct uterine placement means they start closer to the finish line.

PCOS With Ovulation Problems

Combining ovulation induction (Letrozole or FSH injections) with IUI has very solid success rates in PCOS. We grow the follicle, trigger ovulation precisely, and place prepared sperm at the right moment.

Cervical Factor

Bypassing the cervix entirely removes this variable from the equation.

What IUI Can’t Do

IUI won’t work if the fallopian tubes are blocked — the sperm still needs to travel through the tube to meet the egg. It’s also less effective for severe male factor infertility, advanced age, or significantly diminished ovarian reserve. In those cases, IVF is the more appropriate path from the start.

Success Rates: Being Honest

Per cycle: 10–20%, depending on your age and diagnosis. Over 3–4 cycles: cumulative success rate of 30–40% in good candidates. That’s a meaningful number — particularly when compared to the cost and complexity of going straight to IVF.

Start Where You Should — Not Where You’re Scared

At Punit Fertility, Kandivali Mumbai, we don’t push couples toward IVF when IUI is the appropriate starting point. We recommend what’s right for your specific situation.

Book an IUI consultation at Punit Fertility today

The post IUI: Why This Simple Treatment Works for More Couples Than You’d Think appeared first on Punit Fertility & Women's Center.

I have a particular frustration with two extremes in how menopause is discussed. On one end: “it’s just a natural transition, you’ll be fine.” On the other: an entire wellness industry selling supplements with dubious evidence.

The reality sits in the middle. Menopause is a significant hormonal transition that causes real symptoms for many women — symptoms that are genuinely treatable. You don’t have to just put up with it. But you also don’t need to spend a fortune on unproven remedies.

Here’s the honest picture.

What Menopause Actually Is

Menopause is defined as 12 consecutive months without a period — the point at which the ovaries have stopped producing eggs and oestrogen levels have declined permanently. In India, this happens on average between ages 46–48, a few years earlier than the global average of 51.

The years leading up to this point — perimenopause — often bring the most challenging symptoms, as oestrogen levels fluctuate erratically before declining.

The Symptoms Worth Knowing About

Hot Flashes and Night Sweats

Sudden waves of intense heat, often with sweating and flushing — sometimes several times a day, sometimes waking you at night. These are caused by the loss of oestrogen’s stabilising effect on the body’s temperature regulation. They can last for years. They’re also the most effectively treated symptom we have.

Vaginal Dryness and Discomfort

Reduced oestrogen causes thinning and drying of vaginal tissues — making intercourse uncomfortable or painful. This is extremely common and extremely undertreated, because many women don’t bring it up. It doesn’t resolve on its own and gets gradually worse without treatment.

Mood Changes, Anxiety, and Brain Fog

Oestrogen affects serotonin and dopamine pathways. The hormonal fluctuations of perimenopause are a real trigger for mood instability, anxiety, and — for some women — depression. “Brain fog” — difficulty concentrating or remembering things — is also genuinely hormonal, not just ageing.

Sleep Disruption

Often worsened by night sweats, but also directly caused by hormonal changes. Poor sleep creates a cascade of other problems — mood, weight, cardiovascular health.

Bone Density Loss

Oestrogen protects bone. After menopause, bone density declines and osteoporosis risk rises — this is a long-term health concern that many women don’t think about until a fracture happens.

What Actually Helps

Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)

This is the most effective treatment for menopausal symptoms. Modern HRT has a much better safety profile than older formulations, and for most women under 60 without specific contraindications, the benefits significantly outweigh the risks.

I have this conversation carefully with every patient — looking at personal health history, family history, and specific symptoms before recommending.

Local Vaginal Oestrogen

For vaginal dryness and urinary symptoms specifically — this is low-dose, localised, and considered safe for virtually all women. It works very effectively and is underused.

Lifestyle Measures That Actually Work

• Regular weight-bearing exercise — protects bones and significantly improves mood
• Avoiding triggers for hot flashes: alcohol, spicy food, caffeine, stress
• Calcium and Vitamin D — essential for bone health

You Don’t Have to Just Cope

At Punit Fertility & Women’s Center, Kandivali Mumbai, I provide personalised menopause management — looking at the full picture and recommending what actually has evidence behind it.

Book a menopause consultation at Punit Fertility

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Contraception is one of the topics I discuss most often with patients outside of fertility treatment — and it’s one where there’s a lot of misinformation, a lot of family opinion, and not nearly enough honest medical conversation.

The right birth control method is the one that fits your health, your lifestyle, your plans for the future, and your personal preferences. Here’s a clear breakdown of what’s available and who each method suits best.

The Combined Pill (COCP)

Taken daily, contains both oestrogen and progestin. Over 99% effective when taken correctly. Beyond contraception, it has genuine medical benefits — lighter periods, less period pain, PCOS management, acne improvement. It’s not for everyone: women with migraines with aura, smokers over 35, or those with certain clotting disorders should avoid it.

Fertility returns quickly after stopping — usually within 1–2 cycles.

The Progestin-Only Pill (Mini-Pill)

Good choice for breastfeeding women or those who can’t take oestrogen. Needs to be taken at the same time every day — less forgiving than the combined pill.

Copper IUD (Intrauterine Device)

My most underrated recommendation. A small T-shaped device placed inside the uterus — no hormones, works for 10+ years, over 99% effective. Once it’s in, you don’t think about it. Can also be inserted as emergency contraception up to 5 days after unprotected sex.

Downside: some women experience heavier periods, especially in the first few months.

Hormonal IUD (Mirena)

Similar device but releases tiny amounts of progestin locally. Very effective, lasts 5 years, and often reduces periods significantly or stops them entirely. Excellent for women with heavy periods. One of my most recommended options for women who want long-term contraception with period benefits.

Injectable Contraceptive (Depo-Provera)

An injection every 3 months. Convenient if you’d rather not think about it daily. Works well. One caveat: fertility can take 6–12 months to fully return after stopping — worth knowing if you’re planning to try for a baby within the next year.

Contraceptive Implant

A small rod placed under the skin of the upper arm. Lasts 3 years. Over 99% effective. Invisible, maintenance-free. Not widely used in India yet, but available — worth asking about.

Condoms

The only method that also protects against STIs. 85–98% effective depending on consistent, correct use. Not a reliable standalone method for women who absolutely cannot get pregnant — best combined with another method.

Emergency Contraception

The i-Pill and similar are effective up to 72 hours after unprotected sex (best within 24 hours). They work by delaying or preventing ovulation. Not intended for regular use — the dose of hormones is much higher than a regular pill.

Permanent Methods

For women who are certain they don’t want future pregnancies — tubal ligation (female sterilisation) is an option. I always counsel patients carefully before this decision and recommend considering a reversible long-term method like IUD first.

Let’s Find What Works for You

At Punit Fertility & Women’s Center, Kandivali Mumbai, contraception counselling is part of our comprehensive women’s health service. We’ll help you choose without judgment.

Book a contraception consultation at Punit Fertility

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