Clínica Fertia

Frequently Asked Questions

COVID -19 prevention measures

What measures are Clinica Fertia taking to ensure my safety against coronavirus?

We want to reassure our patients that we remain open and continue to deliver safe treatments adopting the highest standards to keep all our patients and team safe and protected.

At Clínica Fertia we are following the information published by the Health Authorities very closely to adapt our protocols and guarantee the safety of our patient at all times. Following the European Society for Reproduction and Embryology ESHRE recommendations, our team at Clinica Fertia has completed treatments which were started at the beginning of March and has not started any new fertility treatments since.

Information updated: 01/09/2020

What is the Coronavirus and what clinical symptoms does it present?
Coronaviruses are a type of infectious disease. There are many different kinds and a newly identified coronavirus discovered in China at the end of 2019 called Covid-19 has caused a worldwide pandemic. The most frequent clinical symptoms can range from fever, cough, sore throat, dyspnoea, and nasal congestion.

According to data provided by the Ministry of Health, 80% of infected patients will experience mild to moderate symptoms. Older people, and those with underlying medical problems are at greater risk of developing serious illnesses.

How does it spread and what measures should be taken to prevent its transmission?

The COVID-19 virus spreads primarily through droplets of saliva or discharge from the nose when an infected person coughs or sneezes and is most commonly spread between people who are in close contact with one another.

To reduce the likelihood of infection by Covid-19, the Health authorities recommend the following:

  • Regularly and thoroughly clean/wash your hands.
  • Maintain at least 1 metre distance between yourself and others.
  • Avoid going to crowded places.
  • ALWAYS WEAR A MASK in public places.
  • Cover your mouth with your bent elbow or with a tissue when you cough and sneeze.
  • Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth with your hands.
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects such as mobile phones or keys.
  • Keep your home clean and ventilate rooms whenever possible.
  • With the appearance of any symptoms, avoid close contact with other people and contact emergency services.
Does the Coronavirus affect fertility?
The current Covid-19 outbreak has been a worry for everyone around the world, to date there is no data or scientific evidence available that suggests Covid -19 can affect fertility.
Do pregnant women have a higher chance of getting Coronavirus?

Pregnant women are not at a higher risk of getting infected, they should follow the same recommendations as the general population to reduce the likelihood of infection. It is always important to protect yourself.

If I get coronavirus while I'm pregnant, can I pass the virus to my baby?

It is important to take into consideration that researchers are still learning about how the virus affects pregnant women, there are very few publications about it. All the articles published and cases studied have shown that there is no risk of mother-child transmission. There is no evidence that pregnant women have a higher risk of infection.

Does Covid-19 increase the risk of a miscarriage?
There is not enough evidence of adverse fetal outcome in women infected by Covid-19. Some miscarriages have been reported in pregnant women infected by other viruses such as SARS-CoV and MERS CoV.
I had to postpone my fertility treatment, what should I do?

It is normal to feel destressed due to the situation, In all aspects of life, not just with regards to fertility treatment, it is impossible to predict when things will return to normal, but we all have to consider that this is an exceptional situation, treatments have been postponed in order to guarantee the best health conditions for you and your future baby.

We are always available and you can contact us with any questions or doubts you may have by using our on line consultation service: On line consultation or by phone 0034693037975.

Remember that the present situation is not your final destination.
The best is yet to come.

Frequently asked questions about reproduction treatments

If you would like more information about our treatments, we are always available to help and answer any of your questions.

How long do I have to wait to start treatment?
If the evaluation is successful, treatment can be started immediately.
Treatment can be scheduled for the month that best suits the couple. In the case of egg recipients, the waiting time is usually one or two months.
How many attempts can I make?

In the case of artificial insemination, here at the clinic we recommend a maximum of four attempts, since 90% of pregnancies occur in the first four cycles.
Regarding In-vitro fertilisation or microinjection, our clinic never makes more than four attempts using these techniques.
In the case of egg donation, it is more difficult to establish a limit, this will normally be determined by psychological and also economic factors.

Can you use these techniques when you have already entered menopause?
Yes. Nowadays, it is possible to become a mother after entering menopause, either physiological due to ovarian failure, or after treatment of neoplastic diseases.
In these cases, the reception of eggs from a donor must be used.
What are the biggest concerns of egg or sperm recipient couples?
Anonymity is what worries most couples and, at Clínica Fertia, this is absolutely always guaranteed. Although a patient accepts to undergo the treatment, they do want the upmost discretion.
Another factor that concerns a couple is the health of the donors and the physical resemblance to them.
In our centre, both in the case of sperm donors and egg donors, our goal is to seek that the physical resemblance is as similar as possible to the parents.
Are these treatments expensive?
For a couple with fertility problems to achieve a pregnancy it can cost between 800 and 6,000 euros, if an assisted reproduction technique is used. Although the price not only depends on the technique used, but also on the frequency of its application.
Clínica Fertia is a pioneer in maintaining an honest and transparent policy. Since 2002 we have published the information of the cost of our treatments on our website.

Check out our prices list

Questions about infertility

If you would like more information about our treatments, we are always available to help and answer any of your questions.

The causes of infertility

Male factors account for 30%: testicular or prostate pathologies, duct blockage and ejaculation, erection, or semen disorders.

Female factors account for 30%: premature menopause, endometriosis, fallopian tube or ovulation disorders, cervical or uterine anomalies.

A mixture of both accounts for 20%: both members of the couple have problems.

The remaining 20% are of unknown origin.

 

 

Who is generally responsible for infertility: the man or the woman?

We can say it affects both of them. In men there are several different causes: alterations in the testicular area, obstruction of tubes, prostate pathologies, alterations in ejaculation or erectile function or alterations in the semen.

In women, some causes can be: early menopause, endometriosis, obstructions or injuries of the fallopian tubes, uterine or cervical anomalies or ovulation problems.

Fertility problems affect both men and women equally, so we prefer to refer to fertility problems in the couple, as in most cases there is a mixture or a combination of causes in which both parties are responsible. We always refer to the causes or reasons of the couple’s problems as a whole because, whatever the problem, the cooperation of both parties is essential.

Is infertility the same as sterility?

Strictly speaking the definitions currently accepted are:

  • Primary sterility: when the couple has not managed to achieve a pregnancy after having had unprotected intercourse for a year.
  • Secondary sterility: When, after having had a first child, the couple has not managed to achieve a second pregnancy after having had unprotected intercourse for two or three years.
  • Primary infertility: When the couple achieves a pregnancy but is unable to maintain a pregnancy long enough for it to lead to the birth of a baby.
  • Secondary infertility: When the couple, after the first pregnancy and labour, does not manage to maintain a pregnancy long enough for it to lead to the birth of a second baby.
Is infertility a common problem?

In Spain around 800.000 couples have fertility problems. It has been estimated that around 20% of couples have trouble conceiving or staying pregnant.

What is the difference between primary and secondary infertility?

Primary infertility refers to the inability to get pregnant or carry a pregnancy successfully to full term and secondary infertility is defined as the inability to get pregnant or carry a pregnancy successfully to full term after previously having had a normal pregnancy and giving birth to a baby.

Male infertility

What tests are carried out to study male infertility?

The basic test is a semen analysis. According to WHO (World Health Organization), a normal semen sample should have a spermatozoid concentration of at least 20 million per millilitre, of which 32% must be spermatozoids with progressive mobility and 4% spermatozoids with normal morphology.

What type of spermatozoid anomalies may be found?

Female infertility

Premature ovarian failure

This is when ovarian activity ceases before the age of 40-45. There are multiple factors that can produce the progressive disappearance of ovarian follicles: chromosome disorders, autoimmune diseases, follicle-stimulating hormone receptor gene polymorphism, Inhibin B mutation, enzyme deficits, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, surgery, and infections

What is endometriosis?

Endometriosis affects 10% of women and is found in 35% of sterile women. It is the presence of endometrial tissue outside the uterine cavity, usually on the ovaries, fallopian tubes, the ligaments that support the uterus and the peritoneum. The ectopic tissue is sensitive to the hormonal changes that occur during the cycle and, therefore, its most frequent symptoms are intense and progressive dysmenorrhoea and pelvic pain, although sometimes it can be asymptomatic. In cases of severe endometriosis, the endometriosis implants affect pelvic structures (intestine, rectum, bladder, etc.) and may produce gastrointestinal, urinary symptoms, etc.

This disorder may cause infertility either due to alterations in pelvic anatomy, causing blockage of the fallopian tubes, or due to the formation of endometriosis cysts on the ovaries, which require surgery, with the consequent loss of ovarian tissue and follicle reserve.

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.

This is the most common cause of ovulation disorders, which on occasions cause infertility. It affects between 4%-8% of the population. It is considered a metabolic endocrinal disorder that affects different organs and systems. It is characterised by the presence of at least two or more of the following signs: Oligo/anovulation, analytical signs of elevated androgen levels and polycystic ovaries on a pelvic ultrasound. However, not all women affected by this syndrome have difficulty in becoming pregnant.

Blocked fallopian tubes.

This disorder accounts for around 25% of female infertility.

The main causes of blocked fallopian tubes are:

  • Infections: These are normally caused by sexually transmitted diseases, mainly gonococci and Chlamydia infections that ascend the genital tract and the tubes, causing adhesions and blocking the fallopian tubes. On occasions the infection can extend from adjacent organs, such as the appendix, to affect the fallopian tubes.
  • Endometriosis: is capable of producing adhesions at this level
  • Surgery: abdominal surgery that produces adhesions that could affect the fallopian tubes.
  • Congenital fallopian tube blockage: the fallopian tubes are blocked from birth.
  • Tubal ligation: as a sterilisation method

Pregnancy

How do I know on which days I am ovulating?

Ovulation or the fertile period of a woman occurs around half-way through each cycle, on roughly the fourteenth day in a supposed 28 day cycle. It has been proven that in the 24 hours that follow ovulation, base body temperature rises from 4 to 6 decimal points. This is the signal on which the control method is based, marking the days on which ovulation occurs.

However, we know that sperm can live up to 72 hours and the egg up to 48 hours, so if a couple has intercourse around two or three times a week, there will always be a greater possibility of getting pregnant without using ovulation charts, kits, or vaginal temperature, which can lead to unnecessary stress and very few benefits.

With what frequency should a couple have sexual relation to achieve pregnancy?

Following ovulation, the egg survives around 48 hours, whilst spermatozoids maintain their ability to fertilise around 72 hours. Therefore, if the couple has sexual relations two to three times a week, this should be sufficient for the women to become pregnant. We do not recommend obsessive control on ovulation, as this produces stress in the couple, which could be counterproductive to achieving pregnancy.

Is there an age limit for men and women to have children?

This depends greatly on the circumstances of each couple, their health and physical state, and other factors. In our country there is no legal limit that prevents a couple from conceiving.  Nevertheless, it is not recommended that women over the age of 50 undergo any kind of assisted reproduction treatment.

Reproduction centres

What is a reproduction clinic?

It is a medical centre, highly specialised in the methods of diagnosis and treatment of fertility problems. It is made up of modern facilities and equipment with highly qualified staff, specialised in the latest Assisted Reproduction Techniques. It is always recommended to seek help from gynaecologists specialised in reproduction because infertility studies include tests that are not carried out normally during routine gynaecological check-ups.

When do I need to go to a specialised centre?

If you want to get pregnant and have not managed to after trying for more than one year, or 6 months if you are over the age of 35, you should seek help from a reproductive health specialist.

We believe that age is the deciding factor; if you are young you can postpone seeking help for a little longer, but if you are over the age of 35, you should be aware of the fact that from this age onwards female fertility gradually begins to decline.

Does an evaluation take a long time?

In our centre, we can usually perform infertility evaluation tests within one month. There is no waiting list for fertility couples, so it does not take long from the first visit to our fertility centre till the time when we can offer the most accurate and personalised treatment plan for each couple according to their specific characteristics.

We perform basic tests that involve an examination, ultrasound and a study of the woman's medical history, as well as an examination, hormonal tests, sperm test and a study of the male's medical history. Once we have all the results, then if necessary, we will consider the need to check the fallopian tubes patency or to do further tests.

Doing things this way, we try to avoid doing too many tests and also avoid unnecessary visits to the clinic which can cause a lot of stress and inconvenience to our patients.

We always strive that under normal circumstances our patients are seen by the same doctor throughout their whole treatment plan.

Pregnancy Following Assisted Reproduction Treatments.

If you would like more information about our treatments, we are always available to help and answer any of your questions.

What are the chances of multiple births after fertility treatment?

In Spain 83% of babies born after fertility treatments were single births, 14% were twin births, and just 1% triplet births. Nowadays multiple pregnancies are becoming less and less frequent.

Is an assisted pregnancy and birth the same as a natural pregnancy and birth?

Yes, it is, there is only a slightly higher rate of miscarriages if we compare them with the rate of the general population.

Are children born using these techniques different to other children?

No, they aren't, there is no higher risk of foetal abnormalities or chromosomic problems, these are the same as the rates of the general population.

Only children born after ICSI treatment due to the male factor can inherit some disorders. Some of these patients are carriers of a genetic dysfunction and this can be inherited by their children, so this means that these children will need assisted reproduction techniques to become parents themselves in the future.

Is it possible to choose the sex of our child?

No, it isn't. Spanish law only permits doing this for therapeutic reasons.

Female couples at Clinica Fertia

If you would like more information about our treatments, we are always available to help and answer any of your questions.

Female couples at Clinica Fertia

Article 6 of Law 14/2006 on Assisted Reproduction establishes “Any woman over 18 years of age and with full capacity to act, may be a recipient or user of the techniques regulated by this law, provided that she has given her consent in writing to their use. freely, consciously and expressly. The woman may be a user or recipient of the regulated techniques or a recipient of the techniques regulated in this Law regardless of her marital status and sexual orientation ”.

The aforementioned law is respectful and open to the sexual condition of each person.

Here at Clínica Fertia we have seen how year after year the increasing number of same sex female couples place their trust in us to make their dream of forming a family a reality.

In these cases, the most appropriate technique will be determined by the age of the woman and her specific clinical situation and the treatments can vary from artificial insemination with a donor, IVF, donation of both male and female gametes, or embryo adoption.

How long do I have to wait to start treatment?
If the evaluation is successful, treatment can be started immediately.
Treatment can be scheduled for the month that best suits the couple. In the case of egg recipients, the waiting time is usually one or two months.
How many attempts can I make?
In the case of artificial insemination, here at the clinic we recommend a maximum of four attempts, since 90% of pregnancies occur in the first four cycles.
Regarding In-vitro fertilization or microinjection, our clinic never makes more than four attempts using these techniques.
In the case of egg donation, it is more difficult to establish a limit, this will normally be determined by psychological and also economic factors.
Can you use these techniques when you have already entered menopause?
Yes. Nowadays, it is possible to become a mother after entering menopause, either physiological due to ovarian failure, or after treatment of neoplastic diseases.
In these cases, the reception of eggs from a donor must be used.
What are the biggest concerns of egg or sperm recipient couples?
Anonymity is what worries most couples and, at Clínica Fertia, this is absolutely always guaranteed. Although a patient accepts to undergo the treatment, they do want the upmost discretion.
Another factor that concerns a couple is the health of the donors and the physical resemblance to them.
In our centre, both in the case of sperm donors and egg donors, our goal is to seek that the physical resemblance is as similar as possible to the parents.
Are these treatments expensive?
For a couple with fertility problems to achieve a pregnancy it can cost between 800 and 6,000 euros, if an assisted reproduction technique is used. Although the price not only depends on the technique used, but also on the frequency of its application.
Clínica Fertia is a pioneer in maintaining an honest and transparent policy. Since 2002 we have published the information of the cost of our treatments on our website.

Check out our prices list

Questions and answers about Oocyte vitrification.

If you would like more information about our treatments, we are always available to help and answer any of your questions.

When is the best age to vitrify my eggs?
Each woman will have to be assessed individually, however the ideal age to have this procedure done is between the ages of 30-35.
As of this age, the ovarian reserve and the quality of the ovules diminish, for this reason and in order to obtain the best chances of success it is recommended to vitrify them before the age of 35.
Will my fertility be affected if, after vitrification, I want to be a mother naturally?
Not at all, the stimulation process does not reduce your fertile capacity, in a similar way to what happens with egg donors, who also keep their fertility intact.
How long can I keep my vitrified eggs?
The ovules do not suffer changes or deterioration during the vitrification process and this allows them to be kept with all their characteristics intact indefinitely.
What kind of side effects can ovarian vitrification cause?
Vitrification itself does not involve any side effects, only the side effects derived from performing an ovarian stimulation cycle may occur.
Are there any side effects for the future baby?
Vitrification does not pose any additional risk to the future baby. There are no differences between children born with vitrified ovules, and those born with ovules after a cycle of in-vitro fertilization without vitrification.
What is the survival rate of the oocytes after vitrification?
Currently the modern techniques used allow survival rates of above 95% in our centre.
What guarantees do I have that my frozen eggs will be useful in the future?
The gestation rates obtained with vitrified eggs depends on the age of the woman at the time of vitrification, these numbers are also the same of those obtained in in-vitro fertilization cycles without vitrification.
What happens when I decide it's time to become a mother?
It is a very simple procedure, it consists of the adequate preparation of the endometrium to receive the embryos obtained after the devitrification of the eggs, their insemination with the semen of the couple or the donor and subsequent cultivation and transfer to the mother's uterus.
Up to what age will I be able to use my oocytes?
The eggs can be kept vitrified indefinitely, but their transfer is recommended before the age of 50, to minimize the risks to the unborn baby and the mother.