One of the strongest desires of many couples is to have children of their own, however one of 10 Filipinos are suffering from infertility, according to data from a Synovate survey in 2011.
Infertility is defined by the World Health Organization 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.”
There are different factors that affect a couple’s ability to procreate such as socio-cultural practices, including the marrying age, educational status, and professional goals. In addition, Dr. Virgilio M. Novero Jr., head of St. Luke’s Center for Advanced Reproductive Medicine and Infertility (CARMI), said infertility can also be traced to issues affecting both the male and female reproductive systems, and medical conditions that compromise the quality of egg and sperm cells.
Since 2013, Merck Philippines has been proactive in its fertility awareness campaign. Its campaign, “Bridging Baby Steps,” aims to educate individuals on infertility and raise awareness about in-vitro fertilization (IVF) methods available in the country through seminars and information dissemination.
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 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 said the success rate of the procedure has grown tremendously over the past years. He said that about six million children around the world were born via IVF.
“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 and marketing manager for Fertility, Merck Philippines. “We want to let them know that there are means and ways to combat infertility.”