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

LOW SPERM COUNT AND TREATMENT OPTIONS

Infertility is the condition in which a man and a woman cannot conceive naturally. In Europe, infertility affects 13% couples with one third attributable to male factor infertility. Without the intervention of a fertility specialist, the chance of conception is very small. Male factor infertility means that a man is unable to impregnate his female partner. There are several ways in which male infertility presents itself. However, in most cases the issue of male infertility stems from the sperm count.

What causes a low sperm count?

Men produce sperm every day in their testicles and it takes about 2 months for this sperm to mature. During ejaculation a healthy man releases from 15 million to over 200 million sperm per milliliter of semen. Men diagnosed with low sperm count, oligospermia, produce fewer than 15 million sperm per milliliter. Don't confuse a low sperm count with a complete absence of sperm, a condition known as azoospermia. A low sperm count means you are still producing sperm. A number of different factors affect sperm production. Smoking, alcohol use, drugs, medications, stress, toxins, and even spending too much time in a hot tub can cause your sperm count to drop. In addition to medications and lifestyle factors, there are also medical causes for this type of male infertility. A low sperm count means your sperm has little chance of fertilizing your partner's egg. But that doesn't mean it's impossible for you and your partner to conceive a baby. There are certain interventions that help your sperm fertilize your partner's egg.

Symptoms of low sperm count

Most men do not know they have a low sperm count until they and their partner are unable to conceive after a year of unprotected sex. A man may have inherited a chromosomal abnormality, suffer from a hormonal imbalance, blockage or dilation problem of the testicular veins. Some signs of low sperm count to look out for:

Pain or swelling of the testicles
Tumor in the testicles or the area around the testicles
Decreased facial or body hair (hormonal imbalance or chromosomal disorder)
Erectile dysfunction
Low sex drive
Difficulty ejaculating

If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms or if you are actively trying to conceive without success, schedule a visit with a fertility specialist and get tested so that together you can get the answers you need.

Treatment for low sperm count

Basic biology tells us that the path to conception depends on healthy sperm and a healthy egg coming together for fertilization to occur. If this does not happen naturally, then assisted reproduction technology is there to help. Depending on the cause of this form of male infertility, treatment may be:

Hormone therapy: In some patients, low levels of pituitary hormones that stimulate sperm production cause a low sperm count. The treatment is similar to the treatment of female hormone imbalance. Certain injectable hormones can increase the sperm count enough for conception to occur naturally.
Antibiotics: In a small number of cases an infection interferes with sperm production and causes inflammation or scarring that prevents the sperm from moving to its target. If there is no permanent damage, then antibiotic treatment can help. If the scarring and damage is too severe, the doctor may retrieve the sperm surgically.
Surgical treatment: If the cause of your low sperm count is a blockage, your doctor may recommend surgery to remove the blockage. Surgery is also sometimes used to retrieve sperm in a procedure called Microsurgical Epididymal Sperm Aspiration or MESA or Testicular Sperm Extraction (TESE). These procedures involve inserting a small needle directly into the testicle (under anesthesia) and collecting sperm for IVF with ICSI.
IVF with ICSI: IVF with Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection or ICSI is by far one of the most successful treatments for low sperm count. IVF involves collecting eggs from the female partner and processing them in the laboratory. The lab oversees fertilization using the male partner's sperm, and when the healthy embryo develops, the doctor transfers it to the woman's uterus. ICSI helps when the man has a low sperm count. The procedure takes the strongest and healthiest sperm and locates a single sperm directly into the egg for fertilization. By far the most successful treatment is IVF with ICSI.

If you're actively trying to conceive without success, it's time to learn the exact causes and your options. Always mindful of each person's individual needs and with up-to-date information, we stand by you with respect and empathy on your fertility journey. Contact the Center for Reproductive Medicine & Fetal Medicine Alexandros Traianos by calling (+30) 2310 277 032 or by filling out the relevant contact form. We're here for the answers you need!

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.