Clínica Santa María Centro especializado en Técnicas de Reproducción Humana

The procedure has two phases:

I. Preparation:

At this stage we prepare the couple to be on the ideally conditions to start treatment.

II. Ovarian stimulation protocols:

This phase includes medication to obtain multiple follicles within the ovaries. 

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If after the exposure to pregnancy for 1 year does not succeed; the first line of consultation should be the general gynecologist. If after 6 months of treatment has not achieved pregnancy with your gynecologist, it is time to consult a fertility specialist.

We recommend consulting a specialist if you are over 30 or if your gynecologist recommended you a specialist after doing the initial analysis of your case.

We must first examine if the tubes are actually blocked. A laparoscopy for example helps a lot.

If it’s found that in fact are blocked, the best option would be IVF. If at least one tube is patent and normal in laparoscopy, we might try with an ovarian hyperstimulation with artificial insemination before indicate IVF.

Yes. We can make a tubal recanalization surgery with microsurgical technique, with good results. However if you are over 35 years, probably your best option would be to make an IVF, as the results of recanalization may take a long time (up to 24 months of exposure in some cases).

If you are under 30 years the probability of achieving a pregnancy with a tubal recanalization in Santa Maria Clinic is about 75%. If you are 30-35 years, 60%, over 35 years a 40% and on this last parameter an IVF it´s recommended for better results.

Yes. We can also reverse the male sterilizing operation (vasectomy). It is very important to consider the age of the woman (the couple). If she is over 35 years, the best option would be to conduct an ICSI, in which the sperm is obtained directly from the epididymis (testicle).

We must first assess whether there is a treatable cause that is causing the male factor. The varicocele, prostatitis, retrograde ejaculation, are diseases that can be controlled with medications or surgery. In most cases no apparent cause is found. You can use artificial insemination in cases of mild male factor or an ICSI in cases of moderate to severe male factor.

As in the male, we must first assess what is or are the causes that are causing difficulty conceiving. According to the diagnosis we may advice Reproductive Surgery, ovulation induction, artificial insemination or IVF.

In the case of ectopic pregnancy is usually due to damaged fallopian tubes. The best alternative is an IVF.

In the case of recurrent abortion first should be investigated antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) which consists in the formation of small clots where the embryo is implanted. Treatment is with aspirin or heparin. In other cases, the consecutive losses may be due to anatomical problems of the uterus or endometrial problems. In each case we must treat the cause to improve the chances of carrying a pregnancy to term. It is also important chromosomal analysis of both sides to the couple. Most patients with recurrent losses at the end achieve a normal pregnancy.

In the case of ectopic pregnancy is usually due to damaged fallopian tubes. The best alternative is an in vitro fertilization.

These are two totally different problems. Polycystic ovary syndrome is a hormonal imbalance problem usually caused by insulin resistance. Depending on the case, the treatment includes ovulation induction, weight loss and in some cases the use of certain medications such as metformin. If this is the only problem the results are very good with these interventions. However if you suffer of tubal obstruction, this means that there’s no place where the egg and sperm get together, so in this case the right option is to resort to IVF.

In order for pregnancy to happen, stay and come to fruition requires a proper hormonal balance. When one of the endocrine systems (which produce hormones) fail, many other processes in the body may fail including the reproductive system. It is therefore very important to make a "hormone profile" in the initial evaluation of couples with fertility problems. If a problem is detected, must be treated before beginning fertility treatments. In some cases, only by correcting the hormonal problem pregnancy is achieved naturally.

There are two types of azoospermia secretory and obstructive. In obstructive azoospermia the problem is a blockage somewhere in the male reproductive system that prevents sperm to appear in the seminal fluid. In this case we can resort to an ICSI, obtaining the sperm directly from the epididymis or the testicle. In the case of secretory azoospermia, the cells that produce spermatozoids for some reason have been destroyed or never formed. In this case the option is artificial insemination with donor semen.

Endometriosis occurs when tissue that normally is inside the uterus cavity, appears outside. Usually are seen "implants" in the back of the uterus, ovaries, and ligaments or in some cases we find endometriomas (or chocolate cysts) consisting of old blood. Initial treatment is surgery, in which we try to remove these implants by laparoscopic surgery. Much of patients become pregnant in the next 6 months after surgery. Except in very special cases, it is not recommended to do more than one surgery because of the risk of diminishing ovarian reserve or cause adhesions. If after six months after surgery you did not achieved pregnancy, it is recommended an IVF.

The artificial insemination with donor is done for the infertile couple that has secretory azoospermia or in the case of single mothers. The probability of achieving pregnancy in these cases depends on the degree of fertility of the patient.

In this case the option we could offer is insemination with donor semen (AID). Semen can be obteined in our local bank or you can import the sample through an international bank.

Many times in spite of treatment, patients with endometriosis do not resolve the case of infertility, for reasons unknown so far. In these cases we must advice an IVF, with the idea of taking apart eggs from a hostile environment and make a controlled fertilization.

We recommend not to loose much time, since endometriosis can recur and on the other hand we know that fertility decreases with age, even with fertility treatments the results are affected by age of women.