FAQ's

1. Can I have children if I’ve had a vasectomy?
Yes, through IVF-ICSI with sperm extracted from the testicles(TESE)(See AZOOSPERMIA DUE TO VASECTOMY).

2. I’ve had a tubal ligation. How can I get pregnant?
You will need to undergo in vitro fertilisation (IVF) treatment. Eggs can be extracted from the ovaries through the vagina and later the embryos (fertilised eggs) can be transferred into the uterus. The fallopian tubes do not need to be clear. This treatment can be carried out on women with no fallopian tubes.

3. When is ICSI (sperm microinjection) carried out?
At the CEFER Institute, ICSI is carried out instead of conventional IVF because it yields better results than conventional IVF.
Sperm microinjection (ICSI) is an IVF technique that consists of the introduction of a single spermatozoid into a previously-selected mature egg. The technique ensures that the sperm enters the egg. Low sperm count or low sperm motility become secondary concerns. In conventional IVF it can be the case that no sperm enters an egg, or that more than one enters. When this happens, the embryo is not viable.

4. Can I be inseminated with a friend’s sperm?
Yes, if your friend comes as your partner. In this case, he must give his written consent and have equal rights and obligations over the child. If your friend acts as a donor then it is not possible, as Spanish law states that the sperm donor must be anonymous.

5. Can an assisted reproduction technique be carried out in just one visit?
It is necessary to come to the CEFER Institute at least twice.
Initial visits must be conducted to look over previous studies in order to avoid repeating any unnecessarily and to verify that the treatment recommendations are correct. Once the medical history is completed, an examination will be carried out where factors that may invalidate the treatment initially recommended are ruled out. If there are a variety of treatment possibilities, the couple (or woman) is informed of the pros and cons so that they can make an informed decision.

6. Should I rest after the embryos have been transferred?
In general it is helpful to rest, in particular during the first few days. It is essential to avoid strenuous activities, such as lifting weights, as this can put a possible pregnancy in danger. The doctor will evaluate each case and will recommend a longer rest period if necessary.

7. Why is it sometimes necessary to repeat a semen analysis?
There are many reasons for repeating a semen analysis: it has been a while since the last analysis, the previous analysis was incomplete, more information is needed, the response to a treatment needs to be established, etc.

8. While I still have my period, can I have children?
Periods (as a sign between periods that you are ovulating) are a necessary requirement to get pregnant naturally, although having periods on their own are not enough. A woman who does not have periods (amenorrhoea) can still conceive through the appropriate treatment if hormones are regulated or by resorting to using donated eggs.

9. At what age does fertility start to decrease?
As a reference point, statistically it has been observed that a woman’s fertility decreases after the age of 35. This age is a guide, each woman is different. After the age of 44-45, the chances of becoming pregnant with your own eggs are very slim. Women are born with a limited number of eggs that they expend throughout their lives. The ovarian egg reserve is low after the age of 35 and even more so after the age of 40. A woman’s age is the most important prognostic factor in relation to chances of getting pregnant. In contrast a man’s age is not as relevant. A man continuously produces new sperm.

10. Can I choose the baby’s sex?
Nowadays you can find out the sex of the embryos before they are transferred, but Spanish law only allows the baby’s sex to be chosen for medical reasons.

11. I have found a varicose vein. Do I need an operation to remove it?
If sperm quality is good and the varicose vein is not causing problems, there is no need to operate. In contrast, if sperm quality is low, operating on the varicose vein can, in some cases, improve sperm limitations slightly. The andrologist will inform you as to whether an operation would be helpful.

12. Which medicines are used to stimulate the ovaries in assisted reproduction?
The medicines prescribed are recombinant hormones, in other words they are used with genetic engineering techniques and are similar to the natural hormones produced in the pituitary gland.

13. Is medical treatment enough to solve a fertility problem or is assisted reproduction always necessary?
In some cases it is not necessary to use an assisted reproduction technique.For example, when the man is lacking a particular hormone, this can be solved by prescribing the hormone he needs; for an infection, a round of antibiotics may be enough; for a woman who does not ovulate as a result of elevated prolactin levels, this may be able to be regulated with medical treatment, making it possible for the woman to ovulate and to be able to conceive.