What qualifications do your infertility specialists have?
Our specialists are accredited reproductive medicine specialists and have over 100 years of collective experience and are responsible for some of South Africa’s first IVF babies. You can view specific details on our specialists in the Who We Are section of our website.
Are the doctors registered with the relevant national body?
The infertility industry in South Africa is monitored by SASREG. This ensures that services are monitored, consistent, standardised and integrated. Medfem Fertility Clinic is a SASREG accredited clinic. Our devotion to quality ensures our clients receive the best care and best results possible.
How long has the clinic been practising and how many cycles of treatment does it perform each year?
Medfem Fertility Clinic is a Johannesburg based medical practice dedicated to helping people build families since 1980. Our specialists are accredited reproductive medicine specialists and have over 100 years of collective experience and are responsible for some of South Africa’s first IVF babies. We are proud to have played a role in bringing more than 16,000 babies into the world. Our state-of-the-art clinic was opened in 1992 and combines consultation offices, exam rooms, laboratory facilities, and a surgical suite in one convenient location. We perform over 1 100 IVF treatments a year.
What are your IVF success rates?
Our IVF success rates can be viewed here.
Is egg and sperm donation legal in South Africa and what is the availability?
Yes, egg and sperm donation is legal in South Africa. Medfem Clinic uses a number of SASREG accredited donor egg agencies to recruit donor eggs for our patients.
Medfem Fertility Clinic founded its own sperm bank in 1990 to address the acute donor sperm shortage in South Africa and since then many couples, single women and same-sex couples have started and expanded their families. At any given time we have an ethnically diverse range of donor sperm available for our clients’ use. Our aim is to give couples and women maximum choice when selecting donor sperm for their fertility needs. Our donors are recruited from a variety of cultures, religions and sections of the community. Not only do we have a diverse cultural mix of donors but they also come with degrees, MBAs and PHDs and from a variety of professions from doctors to chefs to attorneys and chartered accountants. Our sperm donors are decent and committed men who give up their time, without getting paid, to donate their sperm to help others to conceive.
Once a donor is found they are extensively and professional assessed by Medfem Fertility Clinic. If they are psychological and physically fit to be a donor they are allocated to a recipient for further therapy.
What are the rules on donor anonymity in South Africa?
In South Africa the law prohibits disclosure of donor and recipient identities. The identity of the donor shall remain anonymous and the clients have in no way the right to learn the identity of the donor or solicit donor-identifying information from any other source. The donor shall also be free from any responsibility to the biological offspring produced by his sperm or her eggs.
What information can you get about sperm and egg donors to help you choose?
Our egg and sperm donor profiles allow you to view information on the donors such as their age, ethnic background, qualifications, occupation, general health, physical characteristics, and their hobbies and interests.
How are sperm and egg donors screened for suitability?
Sperm and egg donors are routinely screened for infectious diseases. Once a donor is found they are extensively and professional assessed by Medfem Fertility Clinic. If they are psychological and physically fit to be a donor they are allocated to a recipient for further therapy.
What are the regulations on embryo transfer numbers?
At Medfem Fertility Clinic we recommend transferring a maximum of two embryos in order to reduce the risk of triplets or more. The more embryos that are transferred, the higher is the risk for multiple pregnancies, possible complications for the mother during the pregnancy, and increased risks for the child due to a probable premature delivery. We care for the health of our patients (and of future babies) and that is why we feel that it is our responsibility to keep you well informed on the consequences and possible outcomes of your procedure.
Is there a waiting list to be seen at the clinic?
You need to make an appointment to see one of our fertility specialists. Appointments are usually granted quite quickly.
Are there any qualifications, such as age or relationship status, for treatment at the clinic?
Our caring and supportive medical staff are committed to offering all our patients the best chance of having a baby regardless of their marital status or sexual orientation. We are a progressive and impartial innovative fertility clinic with a long history of working with non-traditional families (same-sex couples, and single men and women).
Maternal age does have an impact on the outcome of fertility treatments. Therefore we will assess your unique situation before progressing with any such treatments. Significantly older women with little to no chance of producing healthy and viable eggs may be recommended to use an egg donor.
Do you have a counsellor at Medfem Fertility Clinic?
Yes, our resident fertility counsellor is Mandy Rodrigues. Mandy has been involved in the field of infertility for eighteen years, working with individuals, groups and couples. Further information can be found in the Counselling and Support section of our website.
Are patients given copies of their medical record when they return home?
Yes, patients are provided with copies of their medical records.
Is a report on the patient’s investigations and treatment sent to the patient’s physician in the home country or given to the patient to pass on?
After you return to your home country, we continue to provide ongoing support and care. We’ll provide a full copy of your medical record on completion of your treatment with us, along with a letter for your local supervising physician detailing the treatment undertaken.
What are the costs for infertility treatment with Medfem Fertility Clinic?
Our up to date price list can be viewed here.
Are the same fees charged to both foreign and local patients?
Yes, our treatment costs are the same regardless of where you are from.
How do your costs compare with international costs?
The single biggest factor that drives people to seek infertility treatment abroad is the cost. The price of infertility treatment at Medfem Fertility Clinic can be less than half the cost of similar treatment in your home country, even when you include the price of flights and accommodation. To see how our costs compare internationally click here. To see our treatment costs click here.
Where is the nearest accommodation? Will they provide transport to the clinic and back to the accommodation?
The Bryanston City Lodge is the closest to the clinic being across the road. The other recommended accommodation all provide transport or can make provision for it.
Will we be able to make use of public transport?
A taxi service can be recommended.
What is the duration of the treatment?
This can vary but for the first consultation with tests included, six weeks is sufficient, depending on the outcome further treatment might be necessary and three months would be sufficient in South Africa.
Do you accept foreign money?
Foreign money will have to be exchanged to the South African Rand at a Foreign Exchange or bank.
What language do you speak?
English is the preferred language. It is advisable to seek the services of a translator should you not be fluent in English.