Did you know that 15% of the population suffers from fertility problems?
While many couples are having problems with having too many babies, there are a few who are having a problem on how to conceive.
Yes, fertility problem is a sensitive topic to talk about. I have known some friends and subordinates who just ignore conversations about it because it hurts their ego. I understand the difficulty they’re going through since fertility is a big issue in the country who loves babies and family.
How can we help friends who have difficulty in conceiving? I believe it is best to advise them to seek help from the expert or join formal talk about fertility awareness like the upcoming Merck Philippines Bridging Baby Steps Campaign happening on October 21, 2017 at the Edsa Shangri-La, Manila for FREE.
Since 2013, the local arm of the world’s oldest pharmaceutical and chemical company Merck Philippines, has been proactive in their fertility awareness campaign.
The campaign is on its fifth year, which is aptly named “Bridging Baby Steps,” aims to continue education on infertility and raise awareness about the in-vitro fertilization (IVF) methods available in the country through seminars and information dissemination.
“As they say, ‘where there’s life, there’s hope.’ We, at Merck Philippines, understand the heartaches of couples who can’t conceive a child,” said Dess Carta?o, Sales & Marketing Manager for Fertility for Merck Philippines. “We want to let them know that there are means and ways to combat infertility.”
Learn from the Expert
Infertility is defined by the World Health Organization (WHO), as “a disease of the reproductive system defined by the failure to achieve a clinical pregnancy after 12 months or more of regular unprotected sexual intercourse.”
Dr. Virgilio M. Novero Jr., head of St. Luke’s flagship Center for Advanced Reproductive Medicine and Infertility (CARMI), said that infertility can be traced to issues affecting both the female and male reproductive systems, and medical conditions that compromises the quality of egg and sperm cells. Other factors that affect a couple’s ability to procreate such as socio-cultural practices, including the marrying age, educational status, professional goals.
The ART of Procreation
Infertility should not be the be-all and end-all for couples, as there are means and ways to this.
One available method for childless couples is Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART). This treatment procedure enables multiplication of ovarian follicles and facilitates egg cell retrieval. During the process, embryos will be formed outside the body of a female patient and will be transferred once the “cultures” are successfully formed. Patients who are suffering from severe sperm deficits, blocked fallopian tubes, unexplained infertility, mild endometriosis, and ovulation disorders can be candidates for this treatment.
With regards to IVF being risky, Dr. Novero shared that the success rate of such procedure has grown tremendously over the past years. He said that about six million children around the world were born via IVF.
To know more about infertility and IVF in the Philippines, visit www.facebook.com/fertilityawarenessphilippines.