Cutting-Edge Care for Modern Fertility Patients
In an insightful opening talk at the Fertility Show Africa, Dr Antonio Rodrigues – a reproductive medicine specialist and a founder and director of Medfem Fertility Clinic in Sandton, Johannesburg, South Africa – highlighted common reasons for growing rates of infertility among today’s modern couples.
These common causes of infertility among modern couples are explained below, as well as how the multipronged approach used at Medfem Fertility Clinic – along with our comprehensive range of advanced treatments – ensure our modern fertility patients receive cutting-edge care, so they have the very best chance of fulfilling their dream of having a baby.
Modern World Causes Of Infertility
One of the most common reasons for infertility in today’s modern world is advanced maternal age (35+).
At Medfem, we assist many women who, for example, attended university after school and then started a career or a business, and by the time they begin thinking of starting a family, they are already 35, 40 or even older. This modern trend is gaining momentum – and is reflected in growing numbers of women struggling with infertility.
Sadly, another increasingly common reason for infertility is diseases such as cancer and autoimmune diseases – and the treatment thereof – that negatively impacts fertility in both the male and female partner.
Also among the main causes of infertility in these times are modern lifestyle factors, and these also affect both men and women. It is a common factor that our team at Medfem Fertility Clinic has highlighted for two decades – since the publication of the book Faster, Better, Sicker which perfectly describes the modern fertility couple and the stressful lifestyle that defines them. You are welcome to find out more at www.tups.co.
The book details lifestyle factors that are increasingly common among modern fertility patients – both men and women. These include Time Urgency Perfectionism Stress, poor diets and poor nutrition, high or low BMIs (body mass index), raised insulin levels, autoimmune diseases, and polycystic ovaries. In addition, excessive alcohol consumption, smoking and recreational drugs are part of the high stress profile of modern couples.
All of these lifestyle factors also need to be managed aggressively.
There are, of course, also a range of medical conditions in either – or both – partners that can contribute to the couple’s infertility. For this reason, at Medfem Fertility Clinic, we use a multi-pronged approach to treating modern fertility patients.
Medfem Fertility Clinic’s Multipronged Approach To Fertility Treatments
Our multi-pronged approach to treating modern fertility patients is based on the following:
1. A focussed and complete investigation of the couple.
Every step in the investigation must be completed with care for each partner. If one step, one test – let’s say for example one blood test – is omitted, the investigation will be incomplete, and an important clue may be missed.
2. Correctly diagnosing the cause of infertility.
In our experience, there is always a reason for a fertility problem. Infertility is a medical condition, which is why a focussed, complete investigation of both the male and the female partner is key is to ensure the cause is correctly diagnosed.
3. Active management of fertility patients.
Actively managing the cause of the infertility is very important to reduce the Time to Pregnancy. At Medfem Fertility Clinic, active management means a comprehensive range of advanced medical fertility treatments, expert counselling by a qualified psychologist, and active lifestyle management.
This approach delivers a host of benefits to each and every patient at Medfem Fertility Clinic.
Firstly, it ensures cost-effective fertility treatment, because a focussed, complete investigation ensures a correct diagnosis, and this means that the exact treatment required is provided.
Secondly, because this approach is the most effective in each individual patient’s circumstances, and this is better for the patient psychologically.
Thirdly, this approach reduces the Time to Pregnancy and often time is of the essence – especially when it comes to advanced maternal age and diseases such as cancer.
Active Management
At Medfem Fertility Clinic, our active management approach means a comprehensive range of advanced medical fertility treatments, counselling, and active lifestyle management.
Medical Fertility Treatments
We offer the full spectrum of fertility treatments including in vitro fertilisation (IVF), intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), assisted hatching, egg and sperm donation, gestational surrogacy, pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD), microsurgical sperm aspiration or electroejaculation, as well as more basic fertility procedures such as intrauterine inseminations (IUI).
Because advanced maternal age (35+) and cancer are among the most common reasons for infertility in today’s modern world, and are both time-sensitive, one of the most important treatment options for modern fertility patients to consider is fertility preservation.
Women in their late 20s and early 30s, who are delaying starting a family for whatever reason should consider preserving their fertility through options such as egg freezing, embryo (oocyte) freezing and elective embryo freezing with PGT. Education is critical in this respect and should start even at a school. Gynaecologists also play a role and tests such as AMH and transvaginal ovarian volume measurement should be routine for younger women.
Sadly, we are also seeing more and more women that are diagnosed with cancer, and for them egg freezing, embryo freezing and ovarian tissue preservation are important options to consider before cancer treatment commences.
Many modern young women are choosing to have their eggs frozen as an insurance policy for the future. It is possible that some may never need to use the frozen eggs, but if they do because of advanced maternal age, or a disease that impacts their fertility such as cancer, they will still be able to have a baby with their own eggs in future.
Counselling
We also offer additional support, such as expert counselling by a qualified psychologist with decades of experience in assisting couples through the difficult journey that fertility treatment can be.
Lifestyle Management
One aspect of the active management we offer that couples can implement immediately is proper lifestyle management. Here are some tips.
A good place to start is to find a better way to manage stress. You are welcome to find out more at www.tups.co. People who are stressed not only have infertility problems, they are also at a much higher risk of autoimmune disease, and at a much higher risk of cancer.
Both a low and a high BMI reduces fertility rates. Restrictive or extreme diets is not necessary – one of the best diets in the world is the Mediterranean-style diet and it is among the best diets for fertility.
Coffee consumption should be no more than a moderate 1 to 2 cups per day, as drinking more than five cups can decrease fertility. Alcohol consumption should be minimal. Alcohol contains a lot of carbohydrates and high carbohydrates are a no-no for fertility patients.
Tobacco and nicotine are known to reduce pregnancy rates in IVF and has a negative effect on blood vessels. Recreational drugs should also be avoided. For example, marijuana reduces the motility of the sperm.
Exercise such as walking will reduce your BMI and lower your insulin level and taking supplements will boost your health. At Medfem Fertility Clinic we recommend Staminogro and Insulmax Q, because these supply adequate active folic acid, antioxidants, natural growth hormone boosters, micro and macro nutrients and essential vitamins.
Why Choose Medfem Fertility Clinic
The key to choose the right clinic is to choose the clinic that feels right to you.
Medfem Fertility Clinic’s team are committed and understanding team of medical professionals, who have the experience, knowledge and desire to provide you with the best chance of a successful outcome at the end of your treatment.
Since the 1980’s, Medfem Fertility Clinic’s team has assisted couples struggling with infertility to experience the joy of parenthood, helping to bring more than 18,000 babies into the world.
If you would like to meet one of our fertility specialists, simply click here to book an initial consultation or contact us telephonically on +27 (11) 463 2244.
We look forward to meeting you!