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Keyhole surgery involves passing a surgical telescope through a small hole in the abdomen usually the belly button. Afterwards, your belly button looks and feels like nothing has happened. There may be three or four smaller incisions on the sides of the abdomen where instruments are passed to perform the surgery. These are usually a centimeter long. This results in very minimal pain, more rapid recovery and very small scars that often fade and are not noticeable several months later.
Infertility is a common condition that can often dishearten couples in their goals to have children. In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) is used to overcome a range of fertility issues, including women with ovulation disorders, men experiencing male factor infertility or other unexplained infertility issues.
It can also be a potential solution for cancer patients who are looking to preserve their fertility for the future. Whatever your reason, undergoing fertility treatment is a major decision. It’s important to speak to a fertility specialist that you trust.
Dr Joseph Sgroi is a highly qualified obstetrician and gynaecologist with extensive experience in each area. He is also a Fertility Specialist in Melbourne, providing IVF treatment at Epworth Freemason’s clinic and Melbourne IVF Clinic. His number one priority is providing patients with personalised fertility management using state-of-the-art fertility treatment within a compassionate, confidential and supportive environment.
Following a conversation and diagnosis, fertility doctor Dr Joseph Sgroi will suggest the best course of treatment for you.
Recommendations are based on various things including both the male and female’s age and fertility test results.
While it is not possible to improve the quality of sperm in a man, there are options available. These include surgical options to help sperm movement as well as to remove sperm directly.
Sperm can be fertilised in a test tube, which is called assisted reproductive technology (ART). There are different options available including hormonal therapy, surgery, artificial insemination, in vitro fertilisation (IVF) and Intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).
These options are available to help both men and women become pregnant.
Causes of infertility for either men or women can be present at birth or be acquired with age.
One of the most common causes of infertility in females is due to problems with ovulation. This is because when a woman doesn’t ovulate she does not produce any eggs. Without eggs, pregnancy cannot occur.
Having irregular periods or not having a period at all may be a sign that you are not ovulation normally.
Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) which is a hormonal imbalance, can be one of the major causes of ovulation problems and is the most common cause of infertility in women.
Other things that may cause infertility are:
Approximately 30% of fertility problems originate with the male.
The main causes are:
General advice
Women are the most fertile when they are between 20 and 35 years of age. This is when there is an abundance of egg reserves and the eggs are of the best quality.
For healthy couples, if you have been having unprotected sex during your fertile window, and have been unable to conceive for 12 months, then it is time to seek help.
If you are older than 35 and have been unsuccessful in becoming pregnant, then you should make an appointment to see Dr Joseph Sgroi after only 6 months of trying.
Immediate appointments
There are reasons to make an appointment immediately, even if you have not been trying to become pregnant for the prescribed time.
These include a history of irregular periods or painful periods that might be related to either Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) or endometriosis. In addition, if you have experienced any early pregnancy loss, miscarriages or concerns with cervical shortening or insufficiency, that predisposes you to preterm birth.
For men with a history of any testicular surgery, hernia repair or trauma to the testis, then an early appointment is definitely required.
There is no need to delay if you are wishing to freeze your eggs. Emergency appointments are made for women who require urgent Fertility Preservation and egg freezing due to treatments they may be receiving for cancer, such as chemotherapy or radiation.
Generally, Dr Sgroi will accept only referred patients. This ensures that your family doctor is aware of your appointment with Dr Sgroi, and also because Medicare provides you with a rebate for Dr Sgroi’s specialist services. Overseas patients or those patients without access to Medicare may not require a referral. If you have a query regarding whether a referral is required please contact Dr Sgroi’s rooms.
Your medical file is handled with the utmost respect for your privacy. Our staff are bound by strict confidentiality requirements as a condition of employment regarding your medical records. Your personal information is handled in accordance with federal and state privacy law. his includes complying with the federal Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) forming part of the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and the Victorian Health Privacy Principles (HPPs) forming part of the Health Records Act 2001 (Vic). More information about the APPs and HPPs can be found on the Australian Information Commissioner’s website www.oaic.gov.au or in hard copy on request from our Practice reception. Your personal information will only be used or disclosed for purposes directly related to providing you with quality health care, or in ways you would reasonably expect us to use it in order to provide you with this service.
Before seeing Dr Sgroi, it is always preferable to talk to your own family doctor, who can discuss your condition with you and advice on whether any specialist care is appropriate. If it is, he or she can help refer you to Dr Sgroi. Dr Sgroi will liaise with your family doctor regarding your medical condition so that they can both provide you with optimal care.
During your initial visit, Dr Sgroi will ask you questions about your medical history and perform any necessary examination or ultrasound. Apart from your Medicare and insurance information, you will need to prepare for your first visit and bring the following documents:
Dr Sgroi will organise all the relevant investigations required. You will meet with him after these are done so that together you can go through your management plan.