Medical Tourism Frequently Asked Questions
Need more information about fertility treatments?
Don’t worry. We have the answers!
What is a Medical Tourism Facilitator?
An independent organization that has trained its professionals to deal with all the details of the medical tourism patients seeking a trip for medical treatment in a foreign country. It offers direct interconnection with fertility clinics and a portfolio of premium services related to medical tourism.
Is there an upper age restriction for undergoing fertility treatment?
The Greek legislation (Law 3305, dated 27/01/2005 and 4958, dated 21/07/2022) has recently changed and allows women up to 54 years old to get fertility treatment of any kind.
What are my options for finding the best treatment?
There are many types of therapy we offer that effectively treat a variety of fertility issues. We will provide consultations online by connecting you with our top doctors, embryologists, midwifes, or therapists who will look at your medical history or previous treatments (if any) and tests, and then recommend with personalized and innovative therapies to help you decide what should be the best for you.
How long must I remain in Athens?
Fertility treatments have several steps: ovarian stimulation, egg retrieval, sperm retrieval, fertilization, and embryo transfer (7-14 days). One cycle of IVF can take about two to three weeks. You may need more than one cycle. Baselines scans for your egg cycle can be performed in your own country, and you can upload in our platform or email the results to us so to decide the dose of your stimulation medicine. For a donor egg cycle, if your partner has given the sperm already, he will not need to return to Athens. In that case woman will need to be in Athens normally just for 1 or 2 days for embryo transfer. We will plan your stay in Athens as feasible and stress free for the least time possible based on the therapy, you are undergoing or your travel package preferences.
Will I be able to speak in private with the doctors, embryologists or midwifes?
Of course!! You’ll be able to speak in private trough online scheduled meetings, one or more times, with the doctors, embryologists and midwifes by just contacting us and sign up in our platform. We will arrange for you online consultations and connecting you with our specialists to guide you about fertility treatments and the range of appropriate therapies open to you. You will be able to ask them anything you want or upload your medical records.
Does Fertility2greece provide a detailed cost estimate of the services offered?
We always give a thorough and explained pricing estimate at Fertility2greece. The cost will be determined by the treatment chosen, extra services upon your request, and personal interests. Moreover, we will also inform you in details you about the payment procedure our fee for the provision of services and any other applicable fees upon request. Transparency is one of our beliefs. Thus, we will surely analyze you of all pricing and any additional charges that may apply ongoing. Sign up now in our platform in order to fill out an inquiry form to receive an estimate and information about fertility treatments or services required.
Do I give money in advance for an estimate request?
You don’t have to give any money for an estimate request. Once you have your estimation and decide to receive our services for medical treatment, you will have to pay a reservation fee. We will inform you of the ongoing process.
What steps do I have to take to schedule my journey?
We will take a complete review of your personal and family medical/reproductive history first when you fill out our contact form and receive the questionnaire from us. Secondly, we will schedule with you the first and free of charge consultation with our doctors to guide you and help you select the most suitable treatment for your fertility problems. The next step is to create together step by step your trip to parenthood and Athens, Greece providing essential logistics and an itinerary, with all the details tailored to your needs and preferences before your departure!
Do you speak my language?
Don’t worry!! Speaking your language is the key to comprehending every minute detail to offer the best possible treatment. We will translate every document (upon request) into your language or provide you with a translator for your consultation in order to have a crystal-clear view for the whole process.
What is the time frame for getting started?
Within 2-4 days of receiving our questionnaire filled from you, we can generally schedule a phone or face-to-face free of charge session. After that consultation, you may usually begin therapy on your first period.
Is it possible to receive my medication in Greece or my own country?
Your medication is available in Greece as well as in your own country. A local pharmacy in Athens can provide you with all the medicines you’ll need for your treatments. In addition, we ship it to you (however, not to some countries, such as Norway or Canada), or we can provide you a prescription (by email or physical copy) for all medications you may buy in your native country.
Is my personal information secure?
Your privacy is totally respected and protected by us. We do not disclose personal or medical information to anybody unless expressly mandated by you to do so.
Can I use the clinics you work with for IUI/DIUI?
We provide IUI (intrauterine insemination) using partner sperm or DIUI (donor sperm) with or without stimulation (from any other European sperm bank such as Cryos).
Is PGD/PGS available at your partner clinics?
Yes. PGD is available at the clinics we have a partnership with. However, it is mainly reserved for patients with severe genetic medical issues. In some circumstances, we can provide PGS, but we are hesitant because of its intrusive character. Because the method is still new, we don’t know if there will be any unforeseen consequences for the baby.
Is it possible to do infection testing on menstrual blood?
We can complete the testing swiftly by sending a sample of menstrual fluid obtained at home to Athens. Don’t hesitate to contact us if you need further information. Alternatively, you may visit our website for complete details. During your initial consultation, you can always request a biopsy.
What is IVF with a natural cycle?
In certain circumstances, the best approach is to forgo stimulating the ovaries and instead let the body produce only 1-3 high-quality eggs. Women who cannot handle stimulation hormones or have a low ovarian reserve and do not react to stimulation are frequently given this alternative by our doctors.
How significant and relevant are sperm issues?
Instead of depending on ICSI to solve the problem our doctors and embryologists aim to improve the quality of sperm before IVF if feasible. Before attempting IVF, we scan for infections and typically prescribe antibiotics and antioxidants. Anti-sperm antibodies, acrosome reaction-mitochondria-chromatin evaluation, sperm DNA fragmentation test, and sperm maturation assessment are among the other tests available (same day at low cost).You may get detailed information on the sperm utilized in your cycle. On the day of egg harvest, we have various alternatives to optimize our chances of success (e.g., half IVF, half ICSI, surgical sperm retrieval, or switching to sperm donation if needed by choosing from associated Cryobanks).
How does age affect fertility?
A woman’s peak reproductive years are between the late teens and late 20s. By age 30, fertility (the ability to get pregnant) starts to decline. This decline becomes more rapid once you reach your mid-30s. By 45, fertility has declined so much that getting pregnant naturally is unlikely for most women.
How does age affect a woman's eggs?
Women begin life with a fixed number of eggs in their ovaries. The number of eggs decreases as women get older. Also, the remaining eggs in older women are more likely to have abnormal chromosomes. And as women age, they are at higher risk of disorders that can affect fertility, such as uterine fibroids and endometriosis.
Are there ways to preserve fertility?
Currently, there is no medical technique that can guarantee fertility will be preserved. If you know that you want to have children later in life, one option may be in vitro fertilization (IVF). With IVF, sperm is combined with a woman’s eggs in a laboratory. If the sperm fertilizes the eggs, embryos may grow.
What happens to embryos stored for later use?
Embryos can be frozen and used many years later. When you are ready, an embryo can be transferred to your uterus to try to achieve a pregnancy. The chance that IVF will work for you depends on many factors, including your health and your age when the embryos are frozen.
What is egg freezing?
A procedure called oocyte cryopreservation—“freezing your eggs”—has become more popular in recent years. In this procedure, several eggs are removed from the ovaries. The unfertilized eggs are then frozen for later use in IVF.
Who should think about egg freezing?
Egg freezing may seem like a good option for women who want to delay childbearing. But egg freezing is recommended mainly for women having cancer treatment that will affect their future fertility. There is not enough research to recommend routine egg freezing for the sole purpose of putting off childbearing. Egg freezing also is expensive and may not be covered by insurance.
When should I consider an infertility evaluation?
If you are older than 34 and have not gotten pregnant after 6 months of having regular sex without using birth control, talk with your ob-gyn about an infertility evaluation. If you are older than 40, an evaluation is recommended before you try to get pregnant. This advice is especially true if you have a problem that could affect fertility, such as endometriosis.
Glossary
Carrier Screening: A test done on a person without signs or symptoms to find out whether he or she carries a gene for a genetic disorder.
Chromosomes: Structures that are located inside each cell in the body. They contain the genes that determine a person’s physical makeup.
Complications: Diseases or conditions that happen as a result of another disease or condition. An example is pneumonia that occurs as a result of the flu. A complication also can occur as a result of a condition, such as pregnancy. An example of a pregnancy complication is preterm labor.
Diagnostic Tests: Tests that look for a disease or cause of a disease.
Down Syndrome (Trisomy 21): A genetic disorder that causes abnormal features of the face and body, medical problems such as heart defects, and mental disability. Most cases of Down syndrome are caused by an extra chromosome 21 (trisomy 21).
Eggs: The female reproductive cells made in and released from the ovaries. Also called the ova.
Embryos: The stage of prenatal development that starts at fertilization (joining of an egg and sperm) and lasts up to 8 weeks.
Endometriosis: A condition in which tissue that lines the uterus is found outside of the uterus, usually on the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and other pelvic structures.
Fetus: The stage of human development beyond 8 completed weeks after fertilization.
Fibroids: Growths that form in the muscle of the uterus. Fibroids usually are noncancerous.
Folic Acid: A vitamin that reduces the risk of certain birth defects when taken before and during pregnancy.
Genetic Disorders: Disorders caused by a change in genes or chromosomes.
High Blood Pressure: Blood pressure above the normal level. Also called hypertension.
In Vitro Fertilization (IVF): A procedure in which an egg is removed from a woman’s ovary, fertilized in a laboratory with the man’s sperm, and then transferred to the woman’s uterus to achieve a pregnancy.
Menstrual Cycle: The monthly process of changes that occur to prepare a woman’s body for possible pregnancy. A menstrual cycle is defined as the first day of menstrual bleeding of one cycle to the first day of menstrual bleeding of the next cycle.
Miscarriage: Loss of a pregnancy that is in the uterus.
Multiple Pregnancy: A pregnancy where there are two or more fetuses.
Neural Tube Defects (NTDs): Birth defects that result from a problem in development of the brain, spinal cord, or their coverings.
Obstetrician–Gynecologist (Ob-Gyn): A doctor with special training and education in women’s health.
Oocyte Cryopreservation: A procedure in which eggs are removed from a woman’s ovaries and frozen for later use with in vitro fertilization (IVF).
Ovaries: Organs in women that contain the eggs necessary to get pregnant and make important hormones, such as estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone.
Preeclampsia: A disorder that can occur during pregnancy or after childbirth in which there is high blood pressure and other signs of organ injury. These signs include an abnormal amount of protein in the urine, a low number of platelets, abnormal kidney or liver function, pain over the upper abdomen, fluid in the lungs, or a severe headache or changes in vision.
Prenatal Care: A program of care for a pregnant woman before the birth of her baby.
Preterm: Less than 37 weeks of pregnancy.
Screening Tests: Tests that look for possible signs of disease in people who do not have signs or symptoms.
Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs): Infections that are spread by sexual contact. Infections include chlamydia, gonorrhea, human papillomavirus (HPV), herpes, syphilis, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV, the cause of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome [AIDS]).
Sperm: A cell made in the male testicles that can fertilize a female egg.
Stillbirth: Birth of a dead fetus.
Uterus: A muscular organ in the female pelvis. During pregnancy, this organ holds and nourishes the fetus. Also called the womb.
Vaccines: Substances that help the body fight disease. Vaccines are made from very small amounts of weak or dead agents that cause disease (bacteria, toxins, and viruses).