Exploring Treatment-Seeking Behaviors for Subfertility in Sri Lanka: A Qualitative Study

Subfertility poses medical, psychological, and social challenges in Sri Lanka, where childbearing is a strong cultural expectation. This study explores the treatment-seeking behaviors of subfertile couples attending clinics in Colombo District through 25 in-depth interviews. Couples accessed multiple medical systems, namely, allopathic, Ayurvedic, traditional, and religious, with allopathic care often not the first choice. Cultural beliefs, societal stigma, and financial constraints significantly influenced their decisions. Trust in providers, perceived care quality, and accessibility also shaped treatment pathways. Findings highlight the need for a multifaceted approach, including education, improved communication, and affordable, accessible services, to ensure effective, timely support for subfertile couples.