Alexia Chatziparasidou, MSc, Sr Clinical Embryologist and Embryolab’s Director, answers all of our questions regarding infertility.

June 15th has been established as the World Fertility Day and is a day of awareness, information and prevention for the proper fertility management. Is there a particular reason for it to be so special or is it another commercial celebration?

The problem in our country is significant, as one out of five couples has difficulty conceiving. This figure corresponds to approximately 300,000 couples and the number is large considering the small population size of Greece, even if we take into account the low birth rate and the significant demographic problem the country faces.

What are the seven “fertile” truths we need to know?

 Fertility is not always given!

Even young people may experience fertility disorders. Symptoms or a chronic medical case are not always prerequisites.

 Our fertility does not stay unaffected as we age!

The fact that the average life expectancy has increased does not mean that we stay fertile longer. It is in our nature to experience gradual decline in our fertility as we age. Women are more vulnerable in time, with their fertility window to rarely overpass two decades.

 Men are also vulnerable in time!

Studies have shown that there is an increasing negative effect on both the sperm quality, as well as its genetic composition as the father is growing older.

Science is unable to repair ovulation and spermatogenesis disorders

Science, today, despite the significant progress in this field over the last 39 years, is unable to restore disorders in ovulation and spermatogenesis usually seen as age increases.

Our lifestyle affects our fertility

Systematic use of tobacco, alcohol, poor nutrition and increased body weight affect both the quality of the oocytes and the spermatozoa, as well as embryo implantation in the uterus.

There are substances that cause temporary or permanent loss of fertility

Systemic use of androgens or related formulations to improve sports’ performance, as well as the use of narcotic drugs, may cause transient or permanent fertility loss.

What about medical treatments especially for serious or chronic diseases?

Medications specifically for serious or chronic diseases (cancer, autoimmune diseases) can significantly affect fertility for both men and women.

How can we retain the right to maternity and paternity?

The first thing we can do is to reassess our priorities and avoid postponing the creation of our family for the distant future. If family formation is to be postponed, fertility testing is recommended to assess its level. Even if fertility data are reassuring, it is important to remember that after the age of 35 a more systematic negative effect begins on the oocyte and sperm quality.

If the data reveals some difficulty, then, and as long as we are still at a younger age, there are safe choices, such as sperm and ova cryopreservation. We need to know that women with a family history of premature menopause are recommended to undergo earlier fertility testing.

Lastly, it is particularly important to avoid the systematic use of tobacco, alcohol and substances that may further negatively affect our fertility and adopt a healthy lifestyle, both in terms of exercise and nutrition.

What should we know about the treatment?

The rapidly evolving science of Medical Assisted Reproduction sector over the last four decades offers significant solutions to people with difficulty in conceiving. After a year of negative attempts to conceive, a male and gynecological assessment is recommended. In women over 35, the initiation of an investigation is recommended after six months of unsuccessful efforts.

Assisted reproduction is safe for both the mother and the children deriving from it. We must not forget that the success of an assisted reproduction cycle is not always given. On the contrary, the effectiveness of all assisted reproduction methods, depending on the medical and age data, may reach 65% per cycle, with the likelihood of decreasing as maternal age increases.

New techniques have been developed in recent years and older ones have also improved considerably so that couples today have many choices and an important ally while dealing with infertility! It’s also impressive that nearly 40 years have passed since Britain’s first “test tube baby”, Louise Brown, was born.

Since then, over 1,500,000 children have been born all over the world, thanks to assisted reproduction.

Finally, let’s not forget that fertility is not a matter of just a few, it concerns us all!