For as long as I can remember, there has been a sort of discomfort and a little bit of shame when it comes to talking about couples who can't produce off-springs. It's typical with us Pinoys to either evade the issue for fear or hurting feelings or we simply don't want to find ourselves in sticky conversations. It's either the couples have to go through it in secret, only sharing it with the closest members of the family or simply succumb to the fate of being childless.
But then again, times have changed, oh how they've really changed. Nowadays, science has somehow found a way to help certain couples to reproduce life. What's even more amazing is that there are companies who really dedicate time and effort to discover solutions to make the hopeless hopeful once again. I am talking about Merck Philippines. Now on their 350th year of developing medicines to cure diseases, Merck is also on it's 5th year in dedicating their expertise and effort in discovering ways to help couples conceive through science. This initiative this year is entitled "Bridging Baby Steps : Fertility Awareness 2017."
To finally shed light on infertility and what couples can do about it, they invited experts and here are some of my takeaways that I hope can help you too.
5 Basic Facts about Infertility:
These facts were shared by experts who would like to send the message across to those who have lost faith that though there are no fool-proof ways to magically conceive off-springs, you are not totally hopeless and lost alone because there are those who are willing to help.
1. Age really does matter - I guess this is an obvious fact. It is common knowledge that a woman's follicle count decreases as we age. According to Dr. Almeda, a woman's count begin at 2 million at birth and decreases to a few hundreds during adulthood. So it is important to plan conception. Of course, your lifestyle whatever your age is is also a crucial factor to take into consideration.
2. A year is all it takes to determine if a couple is infertile - according to Dr. Abe Almeda, one of the most glaring factor in order to know if a couple is infertile is when after 12 months or year of adequate co-habitation, there is still inability to produce a child. This is usually the ideal time to seek scientific/medical help.
3. Conceiving can be a little difficult by the age of 35 - again, this is can be attributed in the decrease in follicle number of women because it decreases as we age.
4. The most important cause of infertility is not only ovarian but testicular aging too - this means that men also plays a big role in life production when you are experiencing infertility. It is a must to both have yourself tested and to open both your minds to the possibilities.
5. There are treatment options for infertility - yes, infertility can be treated nowadays and there are several types that a couple can take advantage of. It can be pricey but hey, can you put a price on the happiness conceiving can bring?
The Role of Science
Yes, science will play a big role in helping a couple reproduce life. There are a few treatments that they can take advantage of. Here are some of the treatment choices as shared by Dr. Mark Anthony Ancheta MD. Let me give you an overview, if you need further information, I suggest, you seek further medical advice.
1. Ovulation Induction + Follicle Monitoring + Timed Intercourse - this would require good quality egg, the fallopian tubes have to be open, there should be an adequate number of rapidly swimming and good looking sperm.
2. Ovulation Induction + Follicle Monitoring + Intrauterine Insemination - this would require good quality egg, at least ONE of the fallopian tubes have to be open, there should be at least 5 million motile sperms inseminated.
3. In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) - There should be a minimum number of developing follicles, the fallopian tubes are NOT required, and there should be a minimum number of good-looking sperms.
IVF (In Vitro Fertilization) |
It is possible...
At the "Bridging Baby Steps : Fertility Awareness 2017" event, Merck Philippines, presented Dennis and Maureen Basilio - a couple from Pampanga who waited "16" years to finally conceive a child. Yes, they had to spend a lot of money, time and effort but at present, they are happily living with their twins through the help of science and faith.
Dennis and Maureen Basilio with kids |
“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 Cartaῆo, Sales &
Marketing Manager for Fertility, Merck Philippines. “We want to let them know that
there are means and ways to combat infertility. “
To know more about infertility and IVF in the Philippines, visit
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