Frequently Asked Questions

What are the causes of infertility?

Causes of infertility can be broadly divided to male factor only (35%), female factor only (35%) or combined (20%). In 10% of couples, no causes can be identified (unexplained).

Female Factors

• lack of ovulation (egg production) due to advanced age, excessive weight loss or polycystic ovaries
• endometriosis i.e. abnormal old menstrual blood in the areas behind the womb or within the ovaries
• blocked fallopian tubes due to infections
• distortion of the womb due to congenital abnormalities or fibroids

 

Male Factors

• No sperm production due to failure of the testicles or obstruction of the connecting ducts
• Poor sperm quality due to varicocele (dilated veins in the testicles leading to overheating), inherited causes or smoking

• Sexual difficulties e.g. erectile dysfunction or inability to ejaculate

Are there any statistics on the number of infertile couples in Malaysia?

There is unfortunately no official data but as in most countries, about 1 in 10 couples have some form of fertility problems. Recent estimates put the figures as about 350,000 couples in Malaysia, and the number seems to be increasing.

How can infertility be diagnosed?

There are many ways to investigate why a couple is subfertile. See Comprehensive Fertility Assessment.

Female Partner: The fertility specialist will examine the condition of the ovaries, Fallopian tubes and the uterus for signs of abnormalities both physically and with a transvaginal ultrasound. Hormones (FSH, LH and Estradiol) levels are sometimes needed to find out the cause of infertility.

Male Partner: A semen analysis is one of the tests performed to examine the quality of the sperm sample. Hormones (FSH and Testosterone) levels are performed in men with Azoospermia (total absence of sperm in the ejaculate).

Are revolutionary methods such as test tube baby (IVF,ICSI) available in Malaysia?

The first IVF pregnancy in Malaysia was conceived in 1987. There are now about 40 IVF centres in Malaysia offering a variety of assisted conception treatment, though there are only about 8 centres that are reasonably large (i.e. perform more than 200 cycles per year). Treatment is getting more popular as current lifestyle and delays in child bearing increases the risk of being infertile. Also, infertility is no longer considered a social stigma; more couples come forward for treatment.

What is the treatment for infertility?

Treatment depends on the causes of infertility.

• If there is a lack of egg production, doctors would use ovulation induction medications
• If sperm quality is poor or have difficulties with intercourse, the couple should try artificial insemination (IUI)
• If there are presence of cysts or endometriosis or unfavourably situated fibroids, the woman may need surgery
• If the tubes are blocked beyond repair or the sperm is profoundly poor; the couple may need Assisted Reproductive Techniques (ART) or test tube baby treatment such as Invitro Fertilization (IVF) and Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI).

 

In Sunfert IVF, your doctor would plan your treatment according to your needs and the cause(s) of infertility. Be rest assured that every treatment plan is individualised and is aimed at assisting you to achieve a pregnancy with the quickest route and at the minimum cost.

What is the cost of test tube baby treatment in Malaysia?

In the past, treatment is generally limited to the middle class population because treatment is costly. An average IVF cycle can cost anything between RM 8,000 to 20,000 per cycle, depending whether it is performed in a government or private centre.
Sunfert IVF has innovative all- inclusive ART packages that are extremely affordable. The packages are truly all-inclusive with no hidden charges, so that our patients can plan their budget accordingly and not worry about cost overruns. More importantly, we use top end products (drugs, culture media, and consumables) in a clean room setting to achieve the best results.

Be careful with centres that purportedly offer IVF at a low price of less than RM10 000. Ask the centre what drugs are used for stimulation and what culture media is used in the lab. It is unlikely that top end recombinant drugs or culture media is used. There may also be hidden charges (for e.g. ICSI or Laser Assisted Hatching maybe charged separately) leading to cost overruns. Also, try to stay away from “shop-lot” practices as these centres are unlikely to have proper clean room facilities and the backup of a multidisciplinary hospital.

What is the general advice to couples trying for a baby?

Both partners should lead a healthy lifestyle, reduce stress levels, consume a healthy diet and avoid toxins such as smoking, excessive alcohol or caffeine. See Preparing for Conception.

It is important to seek help early if there is a suspicion of problems such trying without success for more than a year, history of surgery to the reproductive organs or women who are attempting a pregnancy at a more advanced age (more than 37 years). The couple would be advised to undergo thorough investigations such as semen analysis, pelvic ultrasound, hormonal blood tests or if necessary diagnostic keyhole surgery to look at the internal female organs (laparoscopic surgery).

Why do some women miscarry?

Early miscarriages (less than 12 weeks) are likely to be due to an abnormal baby (70%).The risk is greater if the woman is older. The risk of miscarriage if you are 20 is about 10-15% while if you are 30, the risk is about 15-20%. Women above 40 have a miscarriage rate of more than 50%.

Women exposed to certain infections like rubella, or some occupational chemicals may also miscarry. Women with Polycystic ovaries may have abnormally high hormone called Luteinizing Hormone (LH) which affects egg development leading to a higher chance of miscarriage. Miscarriages may also be due to a condition called Antiphospholipid Syndrome (APS) where the body produces antibodies that fights against the placenta. In APS, the miscarriage is likely to be recurrent.

As in natural conception, miscarriages do occur after assisted conception. The risk of miscarriage is the same as natural conception. However as pregnancies are diagnosed earlier in assisted conception, failed pregnancies are also diagnosed earlier leading to the erroneous misconception that the rate of miscarriage is higher.

Why choose Sunfert IVF?

• Sunfert IVF is Malaysia’s fastest growing fertility centre situated in the heart of the resort township of Bandar Sunway, in the suburb of Kuala Lumpur. Our international patients and patients from other states and their family members would enjoy our first class tourist facilities: two universities, three hotels (4 & 5 stars), a water theme park, a large shopping mall and a vibrant night scene.
• We provide a broad range of services including concierge services, airport transfer and accommodation ensuring a pleasant and comfortable stay in Malaysia throughout your stay.
• We have  a well trained and experienced team of clinicians, embryologists, counsellors  and fertility nurses who are easily available via our 24-hour Sunfert IVF Careline (+6018 230 1818).
• We are well equipped with the latest state-of-the-art equipment. Our IVF laboratory is designed and constructed according to Cleanroom ISO Class 7 standard and is equipped with HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filters ensuring consistently high pregnancy rates.
• We offer a complete range of fertility services, investigation and treatments including IUI, IVF, ICSI, Laser Assisted Hatching, sperm and egg donation and freezing programs and laparoscopic keyhole surgery to optimize the female partner before the IVF treatment.
• We are located in a tertiary hospital offering a full range of medical services supported by a team of multidisciplinary medical specialists.
• Our fertility treatments are extremely affordable and are available in all inclusive package prices with no hidden charges.
• We have a well proven track record of high success rates. We run a large IVF programme of about 300 cases per year to benefit from the economy of scale cost reduction and accumulation of experience.

How can I contact Sunfert IVF for a consultation?

Drop us an email at info@sunfert.com or call the Sunfert Careline (+6018 2301818) for an appointment.