Can extracorporeal drugs cause cancer?

The association of IVF drugs with cancer risk is a major concern for women enrolled in these programs. But the plethora of bibliographic reports collected from credible scientific studies and published in reputable medical journals worldwide are reassuring and do not confirm this concern.

Is infertility only a female problem?

Of course not. In about a third of cases, infertility is due to the woman (female factor), while in a third of cases, it is due to the man (male factor). The remaining one-third is due to both (both men and women) or even to unknown factors.

What increases the risk of male infertility?

The quantity and quality of a man's sperm can be affected by his health and lifestyle. Some factors that can reduce the quantity and / or quality of sperm are: the alcohol drugs environmental toxins, including pesticides and lead smoking health problems medicines radiotherapy and chemotherapy the age

What is the success rate of IVF?

Success rates vary at each IVF Center. Very important factors are also the age of the woman, the levels of her hormones and of course the sperm of the husband. Rates generally range from 45% or slightly higher for women up to 35 years old.

When is a couple considered to be infertile?

Infertility is defined as the failure to conceive after one year (or 6 months, if it is a woman over 35) with normal, regular sexual intercourse. In other words, when a year passes without the woman becoming pregnant, the couple should consult their doctor to determine the cause of the pregnancy and then treat it. We must all, however, be aware and not forget that the age factor is the most critical for female fertility and that the individualized approach of each couple is the "golden key" that solves the problem.

How many times can a woman undergo IVF treatment?

The number of treatment cycles a woman can undergo is not specified. It is certain that in our country there are high level obstetricians-gynecologists and organized infertility treatment centers, which offer impeccable medical services at this level. If there are correct indications (eg ovaries that respond to stimulation therapy, good quality endometrium, etc.) the success rate -especially with the use of newer techniques and biotechnological drugs, which show increased bioactivity compared to conventional drugs from urine- totals approximately 65%-70% after 4 cycles of treatment.

Can I keep my eggs/ semen?

At the Center for Reproductive Medicine of Dr. Traianos we offer egg / sperm cryopreservation services for those who have a personal or medical reason and need this service. We use the most modern vitrification technique in the freezing of sperm and eggs.

Is the egg collection painful?

The collection of eggs takes 10-15 minutes, it is not painful, it is done under intoxication and after the end of the process you return to your activities.

I've already had a baby, but now I'm trying to get pregnant again. Can I have my partner in the midst of a problem?

In general, experts agree that the fact that a couple has already had a child can be considered evidence that there is no infertility problem in the first place. It is like a small test that has been done and proves that they "succeeded" at least once. On the other hand, we need to know that in the meantime things may have changed and a problem may have arisen (eg the man may have had some inflammation that affects the quality of his sperm or has mediated something that affects female fertility: an inflammation, a gynecological surgery, an abortion, etc.). In any case, if a reasonable period of time (one year) passes and a couple can not achieve a pregnancy, then he should with the help of his doctor investigate if there has been a problem that causes infertility.

Center for Reproductive and Fetal Medicine

HOW DOES BREAST CANCER AFFECT FERTILITY?

Breast cancer may not directly affect a woman's fertility. However, breast cancer treatments such as chemotherapy, radiation therapy, hormone therapy, etc. have negative effects on women's fertility. When a woman is first diagnosed with breast cancer, it is essential that she be informed about how her fertility may be affected during treatment, especially if she is young and of reproductive age. Chemotherapy and radiation therapy work against rapidly dividing cells in the body. This helps to control or stop cancer cells from multiplying, but this treatment can also affect the body's normally dividing cells and can cause damage to gametes, ie eggs and sperm, which are the dividing cells. This can lead to cell depletion and therefore affect fertility. Women are born with a finite number of eggs, and in some, chemotherapy and radiation therapy can lead to a complete or partial loss of fertility.

Fertility preservation

Fertility preservation is an effort to help individuals maintain their fertility or ability to reproduce. The Center for Reproductive Medicine and Fetal Medicine – Dr. Alexandros Traianos bridges the specialties of oncology and reproductive endocrinology in order to maximize the reproductive potential of cancer patients and those who have overcome cancer. It appears as a way to cope with the uncertainty of pregnancy and parenthood. Techniques such as egg freezing and embryo freezing can give hope to breast cancer patients who plan to conceive later. The global prevention of egg or embryo freezing among cancer patients is about 10%. There is a growing awareness among cancer patients and the oncology community about fertility preservation. Breast cancer has become significantly prevalent in many young women today. Along with the improvement in cancer management, survival rates are also on the rise. Although there is no particular cause for the development of breast cancer, unhealthy lifestyle, excessive alcohol consumption, family history of breast cancer etc. are some of the risk factors that can increase the chances of developing the disease.

Other options

Not every cancer patient will have the opportunity to preserve their fertility before chemotherapy or radiation therapy. There are many cases where it is too late to make the decision to keep the eggs or embryos. For those who are not lucky enough to have frozen eggs or embryos before cancer treatment and whose gametes are completely depleted, in vitro fertilization with donor eggs is a very good solution. Egg donation is often a successful treatment for infertility in women who can no longer produce healthy eggs. Cancer is a disease where the stage of detection can decide the fate of the patient. Early detection can help prevent serious complications and recover faster than when diagnosed at a later stage. Monitoring the body, maintaining a healthy diet, avoiding excessive alcohol consumption and consulting a doctor in case of any abnormalities in the body can make a difference in the fight against cancer. Finally, awareness and access to existing advanced technologies is important for patients who will undergo chemotherapy and radiation therapy, even for non-cancerous diseases. At the Reproductive Medicine Center “Dr. Alexander Traianos" we understand the stress and negative emotions that such a situation can bring. We are here to help you explore your options and realize your goals. For information, call (+30) 2310 277 032 or send an email to alexandrostraianos@gmail.com.

Center for Reproductive and Fetal Medicine

Effective doctor-patient communication is vital to providing high-quality health care. Any communication regarding your medical profile (getting results, instructions, answering questions, concerns) will be done directly with the doctor. This means no midwife or secretary will interrupt your conversations. Instead, if you call with any concerns, they will be there right away to address your needs. Contact us by calling 694 649 8771 or by completing the relevant Contact Form.