UAE best in providing fertility treatments
DUBAI: With specialists saying it is the personalised approach with a stress-free environment that is the best means for possible successful pregnancy, four treatments have been assessed to becoming the more common choices in the UAE.
On the other hand, in answer on how governments and global health institutions such as the World Health Organisation (WHO) could improve fertility rates amidst challenges, Healthplus Fertility (Abu Dhabi) Reproductive and Fertility Medicine/gynaecology consultant Prof Ahmed Elbohoty told Gulf Today: “Education and awareness play an important role and we hope to further expand access to information around fertility solutions through (symposia like the recent Healthplus Fertility Conference in Dubai) so that physicians remain up-to-date with the latest reproductive health trends in treatment and diagnosis.”
“I have worked in many countries. I have seen that some encourage fertility treatments which has proven to be the most beneficial. The UAE provides a comprehensive range of fertility treatments including (in-vitro fertilisation) cycles for couples who are looking to conceive a child.
“The accessibility to fertility centres is critical in improving over-all fertility,” he also said.
Healthplus Fertility (Abu Dhabi) Reproductive Endrocinology & Infertility consultant Dr Ghada Hussein identified the three infertility treatments, which have gained popularity across the seven emirates “over the past couple of years,” as Egg Freezing, Pre-implantation Genetic Screening (PGS) and Next-generation Sequencing (NGS).
She said PGS and NGS help patients “hope for the best outcome in pregnancy” as these “reduce the risk of genetic abnormalities in embryos (fertilised eggs).”
On the fourth type of treatment, Hussein also said: “Fertility preservation in cancer patients is also something that is gaining popularity not only in the UAE but across the world. (In our facility), we have excellent rapport with cancer centres based in the region, and often get referrals for patients who are about to undergo their cancer treatment.”
“We act rapidly to preserve the hopes of patients who might be interested in building their family later in life and ensuring that they are able to preserve their fertility,” Hussein continued.
Saying that one in seven people the world over suffer from infertility, Elbohoty added: “It is on the rise, including among men, due to different factors such as stress, atmosphere and even environment.
In the Middle East, we also have other issues that affect fertility such as genetic problems.
Through genetic testing, we are able to detect and intervene in time to prevent potential diseases in children, helping to protect future generations from any preventable illnesses.”
Hussein said: “Fertility issues in men simply manifest differently and are treated differently. But this does not mean that co-morbidities like diabetes and hypertension do not play a role. Depending on the cause of infertility, we make an assessment and take the right course of action.”
According to the University of California Los Angeles-health portal, the first successful pregnancy via the Egg Freezing, whereby the mature oocytes or eggs of women of reproductive age are harvested for cryopreservation, after a series of blood tests and pelvic ultrasound, was recorded in 1986.
The portal noted that Egg Freezing is decided on by women of reproductive age who want to delay their motherhood out of social or career concern.
The other reasons are the following conditions which may result in infertility: chemotherapy and/or pelvic radiation therapy; ovarian surgery; and the risk of premature ovarian failure traceable to family history of early menopause, and due chromosomal aberrations such as Turner Syndrome wherein one of the sex chromosomes is missing or partially missing; and Fragile X Syndrome the signs and symptoms of which include unpredictable menstrual cycle; balance and cognitive problems; memory loss; unstable mood; and shaky, numb hands.