For thousands of childless couples the world over, India has been the go-to destination to fulfill their dreams of becoming parents, thanks to its well-trained doctors, well-appointed fertility clinics and vast numbers of poor women willing to serve as surrogate mothers.

Not anymore.

The Indian government recently banned surrogate services for foreigners and ordered fertility clinics to stop the practice of hiring Indian women to bear children for them. It's said to be intended to protect the women from exploitation, though some who have worked as surrogates say the ban actually hurts them.

One of France's highest courts ruled that children born to surrogates abroad have the right to have their births and citizenship recognised by the state.

The ruling is something of a landmark for France, which has an outright ban on surrogacy, and has until now left such children living in legal limbo.

Children born to surrogates abroad could not previously obtain any legal status in the country, including a legal connection to their parents or a passport, nor could they register for any state benefits such as healthcare.

Often, an exact cause of infertility can't be identified. Even if an exact cause isn't clear, your doctor might be able to recommend treatments or procedures that will result in conception.

In cases of infertility, the female partner is also recommended to be checked. This can help to determine if she will require any specific treatments or if proceeding with assisted reproductive techniques is appropriate.

How your infertility is treated depends on the cause, your age, how long you've been infertile and personal preferences. Because infertility is a complex disorder, treatment involves significant financial, physical, psychological and time commitments. Although some women need just one or two therapies to restore fertility, it's possible that several different types of treatment may be needed before you're able to conceive.

Treatments can either attempt to restore fertility — by means of medication or surgery — or assist in reproduction with sophisticated techniques.