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The lack of proper understanding however presents a greater issue which hampers on access to the right professional help.That said, what then are fibroids?Fibroids, also known as uterine fibroids or leiomyomas, are noncancerous growths that develop on the wall of the uterus. These growths are very common. About 70-80% of women are projected to develop fibroids by the age of 50.Fibroids are usually benign and do not increase the risk of uterine cancer, but they can cause a variety of symptoms and complications that may require treatment. Causes and Risk Factors: The exact cause of fibroids is still not known, but several factors have been traced to their development. Hormones, particularly estrogen and progesterone, have been found to play an important role in the growth of uterine fibroids. Other potential risk factors include a family history of fibroids, obesity, and African-American ethnicity. Estrogen levels can fluctuate during a woman’s fertile years, which explains why fibroids tend to develop and grow during this time.

Symptoms: While many women with fibroids experience no symptoms, for others, fibroids can cause significant discomfort and complications. Common symptoms of fibroids include: 1. Pain or pressure in the pelvis. Fibroids can cause pain in the pelvis, lower back, or during sexual intercourse.

2. Heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding.:Uterine fibroids can cause anemia and fatigue with heavy or long menstrual periods.

3. Urination problems: Large fibroids can compress the bladder, causing frequent urination or the urge to urinate. 4.Infertility or repeated miscarriages: Fibroids, depending on their location and size, can interfere with pregnancy and fertility.

5. Bowel problems: Fibroids can also put pressure on the rectum, causing constipation or difficulty having a bowel movement.

Treatment Options: The choice of treatment for fibroids depends on several factors, including the severity of the symptoms, the size and location of the fibroids, the woman’s age, and her desire to have children. Treatment options include:

1. Medications: – Hormonal birth control: Oral contraceptives or intrauterine devices that contain hormones can help control menstrual bleeding and reduce pain, but do not reduce the size of fibroids. – Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists: These drugs can shrink fibroids by lowering estrogen and progesterone levels. They are used temporarily or before surgery to make fibroids more manageable. – Tranexamic acid: This drug helps reduce heavy menstrual bleeding caused by fibroids.

2. 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐈𝐧𝐯𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐜𝐞𝐝𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐬: – Uterine artery embolization: This is a procedure that blocks and constricts the blood supply by injecting small particles into the blood vessels that supply uterine fibroids. – MRI-guided focused ultrasound surgery: This entails using ultrasound to heat and destroy fibroids to relieve symptoms. -Myomectomy: Surgery to remove uterine fibroids while preserving the uterus.-

𝟐. 𝐋𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐫 𝐌𝐲𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐦𝐲: This is an advanced form of myomectomy. In this case, laser energy is used for the procedure.It offers the benefits of increased operational speed, minimal or no risk fluid overload, less trauma and is also bloodless to a large extent.In addition, there is insignificant post-operative adhesions or complications when compared to other sources of energy used in the surgery.These benefits make it the most suitable option for women who want to preserve fertility.This method in Nigeria, was first adopted by Alps Hospitals and Diagnostics, and the facility currently trains surgeons in this specialty.

3. 𝐒𝐮𝐫𝐠𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐎𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: – Hysterectomy: In severe cases or for women who have completed family planning, hysterectomy may be recommended. This entails the removal of uterus. – Endometrial ablation: This procedure destroys the lining of the uterus, reducing heavy menstrual bleeding caused by fibroids. It is important to note that the choice of treatment depends on individual circumstances, and it is best to consult a Gynaecologist for proper evaluation and discussion of the most suitable options for you.In a nutshell, fibroids are common non-cancerous growths in the uterus that can cause a range of symptoms and complications.The treatment options for fibroids include medication, minimally invasive procedures, or surgery, depending on the severity of symptoms and the woman’s reproductive goals.Fibroids could pose as a challenge but the great news is, it is very much treatable, and you get a chance to reach your fertility goals as well.The greater news is that you do not need to travel abroad anymore for a surgery or any of the treatment procedures highlighted above.Africa’s Premier Hospitality-based Fertility Hospital, Alps Hospitals and Diagnostic located in the city of Jos, Nigeria, offers all these services. In fact, as earlier mentioned, the hospital pioneered the laser myomectomy procedure in Nigeria, and has the record of the best expertise on this. It goes a step further to train surgeons too.Cheers to endless possibilities!

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This very important organ however tends to lose its effectual savour  as it is affected by the forces of ageing and hormone depletion – negatively impacting the woman’s sexual and overall social life.

In post menopausal women or even women that have undergone multiple vaginal births, the incidence of vaginal laxity and decreased lubrication which leads to overall decrease in sexual drive and pleasure, remains a common reality.

There could also be the case of Stress Urinary Incontinence (SUI) in women beyond 30 years of age. This is a situation of urine leak when a woman coughs or laughs. This results when the muscles of the pelvic floor and the vaginal wall begins to loose tone and become laxed. It is then unable to keep closed the urine outlet.

Painfully, after vaginal child birth with or without a cut to enlarge the birth canal (vaigan), or following aging, male partners silently complain of not feeling the vaginal grip or friction. This is clearly an outcry of sexual dissatisfaction for both parties.

These conditions can be treated through surgical procedures. This in fact has been the main approach of treatment before now.

This has however presented the challenges of complexity and high expense.

But great news!

There is a relatively painless non-surgical, and non-invasive, friendly and stylish approach.

This is a fast approach that lasts between 15 to 20 minutes and corrects all these! It is called the Laser Vaginal Rejuvenation.

This procedure involves the use of laser heat energy in a wand through the vagina which helps with the contraction of collagen and elastin – strengthening the vaginal canal and cervical column.

The laser procedure enhances production of new collagen and elastin fibers. There is also the renewal of the vaginal skin (epithelium). All of these helps in improvement of the  vaginal tone and grip, increase vaginal secretion and lubrication.

Overall, this helps with the improvement/thickening of the lagging tissues around the vagina, as well as increasing the tonicity of the vagina – improving orgasms during intercourse.

This procedure requires no anaesthetic intervention whatsoever, and a return to normal life is immediately.

The complete treatment cycle is once monthly for three months. After which subsequent yearly follow ups are done.

In all, this procedure offers the benefits of strengthening weak vaginal and pelvic muscles, increasing vaginal moisture and lubrication, increasing vaginal sensations, stimulation, and sensitivity, helping in the case of Stress Urinary Incontinence (Urine leaking), improving the situation of painful intercourse, and general enhancement of the vulvar area which comprises of the clitoris, labia, and vaginal opening.

In a nutshell, it is a tightening for a healthier and happier life!

The greater news is that you do not need to travel abroad anymore for a surgery to correct or improve vaginal health.

Africa’s Premier Hospitality-based Fertility Hospital, Alps Hospitals and Diagnostic  located in the city of Jos, Nigeria, offers this exceptional service and you too can take advantage of it for a healthier and happier life.

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One of the most serious factors that plays a huge role in the success or failure of the IVF treatment is age. The age factor is as important as the procedure itself. From the age of 35, which is called the watershed age, there is a great decline in the number and quality of eggs a woman produces. She could still be producing eggs at this age and even beyond, but there may not be good enough to achieve pregnancy.

In this part of the world, most of the women that come to seek help with conception and pregnancy through Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART), are usually advanced in age and their insistence on using their own eggs for the process contributes greatly to the poor outcome because of the age factor and its effects on the quality of eggs.

From the ages of 40 to 45, there is just only about 10% chance of achieving success with IVF using one’s own eggs. And at 46, it is just about 1%. As earlier mentioned, the reason for this is the depreciation in the quality of eggs with age. In fact, about 98% of IVF failure is due to the age of the woman. It gets to a point where she produces no eggs at all.

Another critical factor that negatively impacts the outcome of the IVF treatment is obesity. Obesity is the pandemic ravaging the reproductive world today which could also result in the failure of the IVF treatment. Obesity at any age could affect the number and quality of eggs of a woman, as well as the sperms of a man. There is usually an abnormal pattern in the cell division of the eggs of women when they are obese. Weight shed is usually recommended for obese people before the commencement of the IVF treatment to avoid a waste of time and resources.

Other factors that could negatively impact the IVF outcome are: thelifestyles of smoking tobacco, marijuana or any of such harmful substance, as well as high consumption of alcohol. People that are engaged in these are often advised to quit before the process starts. Stimulants like coffee may also be argued by many as safe for consumption, but as far as reproductive health and IVF is concerned, no amount is considered safe enough.

In addition to these, the uncontrolled use of make ups, and other beauty enhancement cosmetics that a lot of women apply on their bodies, could get into the hematological system with its endocrine disruptor tendencies due to the presence of mercury and other heavy metals- affecting the quality of eggs, mitigating the success of the IVF treatment, and affecting the body ultimately.

In a nutshell, the success rate of IVF depends largely on the couple while factoring the age, lifestyle, and disease conditions.

All things being equal, with professional expertise, and good health disposition, you can be rest assured of a good outcome after the IVF treatment procedure.

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In reality, the male sperm factor could contribute to inability to conceive as much as the female egg or body system factor does. We can therefore have infertile men just as we have infertile women. The exclusive use of the word ‘infertile’ for women in religious and societal circles today is not appropriate.

While it is a known fact that the male contributes only the sperm in conception, it is pertinent to note that a whole lot could go wrong which could lead to some abnormalities in the sperm production and inability to fertilize the female eggs.

In the last projection made during a convention of global fertility experts held in India in 2019, where I was personally in attendance; it was projected that the male race could go extinct owing to the steady decline of the male sperms. There was a time that the number of sperms in an ejaculation numbered about 20 million. We are now down to 15 million, and a continuous decline is expected.

Even though the extinction projection may not necessarily happen because of sperm freezing opportunities available in our time and age, it buttresses a reality that the sperm factor is increasingly becoming the cause of infertility more than ever.

In our society today, the mere mention of the reality of male infertility punctures the pride and ego of men, and stands in the way of everything society defines as being a man because it is generally perceived as a man’s world.

However, poor sperm morphology, and low sperm count resulting from disease conditions or social factors like high consumption of alcohol, smoking, stress, obesity, excessive masturbation, exposure to certain radiation, as well as other factors, is the reality for many men today, making them infertile.

The situation can be treated medically and through the adoption of better lifestyle choices in the way of healthier diets, healthy weight maintenance and elimination of bad habits. This is critical to the reproductive well-being of couples and the actualization of their reproductive potentials.

Assisted Reproductive Technology in any case still finds relevance in making conception possible.

Donor sperms can be used in the case of low or no sperms.

Sperm rejuvenation process could also serve as a treatment option in making conception a possibility.

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Prior to this, there is the de-sensitization or down regulation process. This involves the control of the ovarian activity by muting it or keeping it quiet. This in turn becomes the precursor trigger for growing eggs when the right medication is eventually introduced.

After the preliminary stimulation stage, and the eggs are produced; the trigger stage follows. Here, a single injection is given which matures the eggs and makes them ready for retrieval.

The theatre procedure then comes after this. Under ultrasound guide, the oocyte (eggs) are retrieved in the theatrein a short process that lasts just about 3 to 10 minutes.

The fertilization stage is next after that. Here, the embryologist determines or follows a pre-arranged plan with the couple to either go the conventional fertilization way where the retrieved eggs are mixed with the sperm in the petri dish or the Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) where a single sperm is injected into a single egg.

After the fertilization stage, the embryos are cultured for a period of time (that is, placed in an incubator and monitored for development).This is also called the cleavage stage.

This is followed by the last stage which is the embryo transfer stage. Here, the embryos are closely observed and selection is done based on the quality and perceived possibility of ‘doing well’before there are transferred. Implantationand pregnancy is expected after a successful transfer.

So basically, we have 6 stages in the IVF treatment procedure. The ovulation control and trigger stage, the egg retrieval stage, the fertilization stage, culturing stage, and finally the embryo transfer stage. The fragmented nature gives it a somewhat long and complicated look but in reality, it is a seamless and pain-free process. It can be started and completed between 2 to 6 weeks depending on who is involved and the kind of protocol adapted.

There could be a post implantation stage called the leutial stage. Here, some medications are given to support the pregnancy two weeks into the implantation. This is because at this stage, the body has not produced some of the nutrients or hormones to support the pregnancy. The interference with the spontaneous process that was originally supposed to be is what necessitates the exogenous supply of these hormones and nutrients, all of which are made ready even before the embryo transfer. The pregnancy gets fully established in the space of 6 to 8 weeks and external supports are stopped.

There you have the IVF treatment process. Not as complicated as you thought it was right? Yes, indeed, it is an amazing process that delivers great results.

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Preimplantation Genetic Screening (PGS) on the other hand, refers to the technique of screening of embryos for abnormalities in the chromosomes. This is mostly done with the aim of increasing pregnancy rate, and reducing the risk of miscarriage for some women.

Who is this service for?

Certain couples may be needing this service. It is used for:

1. Couples who are carriers of certain genetic disease and do not want to pass such disease to their child. Some of these diseases include:

Sickle cell

Down syndrome

Muscular dystrophies etc

2. Couples who are interested in choosing the gender of their unborn child.

3. Couples who have experienced frequent miscarriages due to a genetic disease.

The process involved in PGD/PGS

The Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis requires a few steps before the embryos can be tested for specific genetic conditions. Having the understanding of the steps involved could make it easier for couples who are intending to go through it.

The steps include:

1. Ovarian Stimulation and Monitoring

A single egg is released every month from the ovary in the normal cycle. To increase the chances of achieving success with each IVF attempts, the ovaries will need to be stimulated to produce more mature eggs in record time. The growth and development of these eggs are afterwards closely monitored.

2. Egg Retrieval

Under ultrasound guide, the oocytes (eggs) are retrieved in the theatre in a short process that lasts just about 3 to 10 minutes. The woman is usually placed on local anaesthesia during this process

3. Fertilisation

At this stage, the collected eggs are fertilised separately in the laboratory. This is done through insemination or the intra cytoplasmic sperm injection technique – a procedure where the embryologist injects a single healthy sperm into each egg.

4. . Biopsy

The fertilised eggs are kept and monitored in the laboratory for a few days. When these embryos develop to blastocyst stage, the embryologist then proceeds to remove cells from the embryos. These cells are then placed in a test tube and taken to the genetic lab where there are tested for specific genetic diseases.

5. Embryo transfer

Here, the embryos are transferred in special catheters into the womb.

It is generally a simple and painless procedure. A progesterone hormone is administered 2 weeks into this to help establish the implantation.

4. Pregnancy

After a successful transfer, implantation and pregnancy is expected. A pregnancy test is carried out to confirm this.

In 6 simple steps, couples are offered the chance to conceive and give birth to healthy babies regardless the genetic traits of either of the partners.

Indeed, Assisted Reproductive Technology not only offers the opportunity for a complete family by making conception possible, it goes beyond by helping to eliminate the possibility of inherited genetic disease which is not so in the case of spontaneous conception.

With advanced cutting edge technology, Africa’s Premier Hospitality-based Fertility Hospital, Alps Hospitals and Diagnostics, remains the best stop to not only achieve your fertility goals, but to also eliminate any chance of having offspring that will inherit any genetic disease whatsoever.

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Normally I try to maintain my calm, smile broadly, observe the environment, look at the couple and ask them: Where are we getting the eggs and sperms to be used for the procedure? I get the obvious answer of “from us”. I then proceed to ask: In whose womb will the embryos be implanted? I still let them supply the answer themselves. After that, I throw back the earlier question they asked to them: What then is abnormal about the babies that will be born?

From 1978 when the first recorded case of successful IVF was done till this point, over 10 million children globally have been born through the IVF process and they are doing just fine – as fine and healthy as the children conceived spontaneously (through the normal cycle). It should therefore be settled in your mind that there is nothing artificial about the process or babies born through IVF. The only difference is that here, for some reasons, fertilization was aided and done externally. Even in the case of a donor sperm or eggs, and even using a surrogate as the case may be, the gametes used are not manufactured in the lab.

After fertilization is achieved, the embryos are transferred to the uterus of the woman where implantation and eventual pregnancy occurs. The fate of the pregnancy is the same as that of a child conceived spontaneously. The woman is eventually delivered of a baby. You feel the baby, handle the baby, breastfeed the baby, watch the baby grow like any other normal child, he or she attends a conventional school and does everything normally. There is absolutely nothing abnormal about the baby.

In fact, if I am to take it to the extreme, I could say that IVF babies have the tendency of even being more normal than children conceived spontaneously. This is because in the spontaneous conception, there is usually no control over anything as everything happens randomly. The woman ovulated a certain kind of egg, and the man releases millions of sperms during intercourse, all of which race towards the egg. One randomly gets to the egg before the others and breaks the shell, fertilizing the egg. The others then die off. The zygote which eventually becomes the baby inherits the code of its building component. There is absolutely no control over the process as selection is purely random.

In the case of conception through IVF however, a lot could be observed and avoided through the advanced approach of Pre-implantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD) where the embryos can be screened for possible genetic defects before they arre transferred to the uterus. Thereis also the possibilityfor sexselection here which is not possible in the spontaneous cycle.

The future of gene editing we have looked forward to, is becoming a present day reality using the CRISPR technology, all agreeing with the fact that the IVF process as a form of Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART), is here to change the reproduction narrative for good.

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To start with, most fertility centers in Africa use the daily shots model before the egg retrieval. Here, injections are given subcutaneously (under the skin) on a daily basis for a period of 2 to 3 weeks. The injections are not as deep as the intramuscular injections that people take, but the long standard protocol could be tiring and frustrating, considering the emotional factors that come to play in the case of infertility.

After this initials, the oocyte or egg retrieval stage follows. During this process, a needle-like instrument, long enough to reach the ovary through the vagina is used to retrieve the oocyte or the eggs. A prick on the vagina wall, the ovarian wall, and several other pricks intra follicular, so that the eggs can be harvested. While this is going on however, the woman is usually sedated and does not feel any pain whatsoever. There might be a little pain-like discomfort when the anesthesia effect wanes but generally speaking, it is very mild.

The treatment is not a full scale surgery as many perceive it to be and fearof pain which births anxiety should not be entertained at all.  During the critical part of oocyte or egg retrieval which lasts about 3 to 8 minutes, the anesthesia effect takes care of the pain that is supposed to be felt.

The next process, which involves the embryo transfer after fertilization has taken place, takes an even easier approach. There is no pain at all, no pricking and no cut involved here whatsoever. The embryos are loaded into tiny catheters which are usually very flexible and go straight into the uterine cavity without the uterus even sensing occasionally that something has been deposited there. The only discomfort could be in the process of trying to expose the cervix using the speculum through the vagina. Again, this is also very mild and the woman is not even placed on anesthesia this time.

So contrary to popular beliefs, the IVF treatment procedure is not painful and just anyone can undergo the treatment if need be.

Does your medical or social condition, or that of your spouse requires you to undergo the IVF procedure as a means to conception? Then, you should go ahead and discard any fear whatsoever.

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In 1978, the first successful IVF in the world was done in the UK. It was the case of a woman whose fallopian tubes were blocked. She had eggs, and her husband had normal sperms. The condition of the blocked fallopian tube meant that the entry point for which the sperms could meet the egg to make fertilization possible has been tempered with. Therefore, conception for her became an impossible thing.

Science went thinking, what can be done? Of course, an answer was found when a group of Physiologists and Gynecologists found a way to retrieve eggs from the woman and fertilized it in the lab with her husband’s sperms, thereafter transferring the embryo to the uterus – achieving implantation and pregnancy eventually. This was the first recorded successful IVF in history, and the child Loiuse Brown who is about 44 years old now and married, became the first IVF baby in the world. I met her in person in 2019 at the British House of Commonsduring a deliberation on the safety of Assisted Reproductive Technology.

The fact is, certain medical or genetic conditions could be responsible for the inability to conceive spontaneously (the normal cycle). From the case of a blocked fallopian tubes as we saw above, to abnormalities in the womb and other reproductive organs of the woman, or the case of low or no sperms in the male partner as a result of certain disease conditions or developments.

The IVF procedure serves as one of the most efficient means through which conception can occur in any of those cases. This could be done using the gametes of the couple, getting donor gametes, oreven involving a surrogate as the case may be.

Parents who are carriers of certain genetic traits like the sickle cell, will need IVF as the only means to eliminate the possibility of having offspringwith sickle-cell. This is through a kind of advanced procedure where relevant diagnosis are done on the embryos before transferring them to the uterus.

In the case of singlehood, or the mere desire to keep shape and not experience any of the bodily changes pregnancy and child bearing comes with; IVF might just be the only means to conception.

In a nutshell, certain medical conditions as well as social reasons puts people on the row of those needing IVF as a means to conception.

Are you having a hard time with conception as a couple? Do you or your spouse identify with any of the aforementioned medical conditions or organ abnormalities that makes conception a somewhat impossible thing? Then IVF could be just what you need.

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