Reproductive medicine on World Fertility Day

one is proven decline in spontaneous birth rates globally, due to various factors: to the participation of women in the labor market and access to family planning methods, we add the economic crises, the recent pandemic and the war in Europe. This trend, in turn, is leveling out in all regions, accelerating year by year.

Paradoxically, the The use of assisted reproductive techniques is increasing dexponentially throughout the world and particularly in moments of crisis like the current one, given that people, beyond withdrawing, reinforce the will to get pregnant, above all patients who are urgently affected by the issue of age or simply by the force of desire

Other aspects that contribute to this growth are the introduction and greater access to alternatives such as surrogacy in people with structural infertility problems, who do not have the possibility of starting a family: single men, couples of men or women without a uterus.

Warning signs in fertility treatments. When to ask for help?

On the other hand, there is a greater awareness of the reproductive age advanced in women and its impact on oocyte quality, having the possibility of preserving fertility thanks to the cryopreservation ovules, and assisted reproduction treatments or egg donation in cases of infertility.

To all this, we must add the contribution of reproductive genetics to improve the results and reduce genetic risks in the offspring.

Fertility and reproductive medicine

That is why it is important to seek advice on today’s and future options. every time we have more information on the human genome, which allows us to identify the causes of many more genetic diseases with an increasingly affordable cost. These studies can be performed before seeking pregnancy or within the framework of assisted reproduction treatment, thanks to the genetic studies in embryos generated in vitrothe so-called preimplantation genetic study.

One in four fertility procedures is already performed with donated eggs

This new “complexity” of the reproductive medicine requires a horizontal model in medical care, where a multidisciplinary team, led by a specialist in Reproductive Medicine, evaluates the treatment of each patient in a personalized way, taking advantage of the advantages of technological tools and artificial intelligence.

Telemedicine solutions grew in popularity during the pandemic and are now solidifying as legitimate approaches to patient care. The virtual space has become a viable option for patient support and access.

Today, highly complex assisted reproductive techniques are first-choice treatments.

* (MN75952) – Medical Director of CEGyR, President of the Executive Committee of ALMER and Medical Specialist in Reproductive Medicine.