Contents
Counseling when planning pregnancy (reproductive counseling)
Reproductive counseling – this is an examination and consultation with a doctor based on the results of the examination, which solves the problem of assessing the reproductive health of the couple, identifying possible causes (including genetic) of infertility and miscarriage, analyzing the possible risks of perinatal pathology of the fetus and diseases of the pregnant woman, as well as developing an individual periconceptional prevention plan.
In our Center, as part of reproductive counseling, there is an extended medical examination program for couples planning a pregnancy.
Infertility and genetics
According to WHO criteria, infertility – is the absence of pregnancy within 1 year of regular sexual activity without the use of contraceptives.
The prevalence of infertility is 15-20% of married couples (according to WHO on average about 18%).
Idiopathic infertility
It is known that in approximately half of cases of infertility in couples, even the most complete clinical and instrumental examination does not allow identifying the cause (the so-called idiopathic infertility ). Most cases of idiopathic infertility are caused by genetic factors. Identifying genetic causes of infertility helps to choose to optimize use Assisted reproductive technologies (ATR) and evaluate the possible effectiveness of different approaches.
According to the World Health Organization, the cause of infertility in a couple is a violation of the reproductive function on the part of the woman (“female factor”) in 30-35% of cases; violation of reproductive function on the part of men (“male factor”) in 30-35% of cases; a combination of reproductive dysfunction on the part of both spouses in 20% of cases; infertility of unknown origin – in 10-15% of cases. Genetic factors occupy a significant place in the structure of the causes of reproductive disorders.