Sikarin Fertility-IVF Center

Why isn’t there a little one yet? If you’ve been regularly engaging in sexual activity at least three times a week without contraception for a year and haven’t conceived, it indicates that you may be experiencing infertility.

The Fertility Center provides assistance and counseling services for individuals experiencing fertility challenges, catering to both Thai and international clients. With a high success rate of up to 64.52%, we are dedicated to helping individuals achieve their dream of having children.

We provide close care and personalized consultation through our experienced team of specialized doctors and scientists, including expert embryologists. Utilizing comprehensive assisted reproductive technology, along with state-of-the-art laboratories equipped for embryo cultivation, and internationally standardized facilities, we aim to support you in achieving the completeness of your family with the addition of a little one.

The services offered at Sikarin Hospital’s Fertility Center include:

• ICSI
• Blastocyst Culture
• PGT
• Embryo Freezing
• Oocyte Freezing
• Sperm Freezing
• PESA/TESE
• IUI
• Tuboplasty
• Hysteroscopic Surgery
• Laparoscopic Surgery

If you are experiencing difficulties with fertility or have any concerns regarding pregnancy, consult with our specialized physicians at Sikarin Hospital’s Fertility Center. Visit us at Building 2, 3rd Floor, or contact us for further details at 1728, extension 20308 or 20321(for the ones who is staying abroad please contact our email: [email protected] or Facebook Page: Sikarin Fertility Center.

Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI)

ICSI is an assisted reproductive technique involving the injection of a single sperm directly into the egg, aiding in increasing fertilization rates and the chances of successful pregnancy. The process begins with the administration of ovulation-stimulating medication on the second day of the menstrual cycle, with injections given daily for approximately 9-12 days. During this period, ultrasound appointments are scheduled 2-3 times. Once the eggs are mature, a minor surgical procedure is conducted to aspirate the eggs through the vaginal canal (performed in the operating room without the need for an overnight hospital stay). On the same day, the husband provides a sperm sample. Subsequently, the embryologist performs the ICSI procedure in the laboratory, where the egg and sperm are brought together, resulting in the development of embryos.

ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection)

Blastocyst Culture

It is a process of cultivating embryos outside the body in a culture dish containing specific solutions for various developmental stages. These dishes are placed in an incubator with controlled temperature, humidity, gas composition, and light until the embryos reach the blastocyst stage at day 5. At this stage, the embryos have developed into two groups: the inner cell mass, which will further grow into the fetus, and the trophectoderm, which will develop into the placenta. This stage is suitable for the embryos to be implanted into the uterine cavity.

Preimplantation Genetic Testing (PGT)

Abnormalities in chromosomes are the most common cause of early miscarriages within the first three months of pregnancy. Today, with the advent of In Vitro Fertilization (IVF), it is possible to screen embryos for chromosomal abnormalities before they are implanted into the uterus. This enhances the chances of successful pregnancies and reduces the risk of miscarriages due to abnormal embryos.

The process involves extracting cells from the group of cells that will develop into the embryo’s placenta at the blastocyst stage. These cells are then subjected to Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS), a technique used to examine the base sequence of all 24 types of chromosomes (chromosomes 1–22, X, Y).

This method is suitable for couples where the female partner is over 35 years old, has a history of pregnancies with chromosomal abnormalities, has a history of miscarriages after 12 weeks of pregnancy on two or more occasions, or has experienced unsuccessful pregnancies after fertility treatments.

Embryo Freezing

Embryo freezing involves preserving embryos in liquid nitrogen to maintain their original condition for future implantation into the uterine cavity. This method is suitable for:

1. Individuals with a large number of embryos.
2. Those who wish to perform genetic screening on embryos while awaiting test results.
3. Couples planning to have children at a later stage. Freezing embryos when the female partner is younger can result in higher-quality embryos.
4. Enhancing the chances of pregnancy. The likelihood of conception is higher when using frozen embryos compared to fresh embryos.

Embryo freezing is a beneficial option for preserving fertility and planning for future pregnancies.

Oocyte Freezing

As women age, both the quantity and quality of eggs tend to decrease, leading to difficulties in conception. Oocyte freezing is a method to help preserve and maintain the quality of eggs, mitigating the natural decline associated with aging. It is suitable for:

1. Individuals undergoing treatments that may affect ovarian function, such as chemotherapy or radiation.
2. Those with a family history of early menopause or who have undergone previous ovarian surgeries.
3. Women who have not yet married but plan to have children in the future.
4. Individuals undergoing fertility treatments where the male partner cannot provide a sperm sample or sperm retrieval is not successful on the day of egg retrieval.

Oocyte freezing provides a valuable option for fertility preservation, enabling individuals to plan for parenthood at a later stage in life.

Sperm Freezing

Sperm freezing involves preserving sperm in liquid nitrogen to maintain their viability for future use in conception. This method is suitable for:

1. Individuals undergoing treatments that may affect sperm production, such as chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or testicular surgery.
2. Individuals who wish to preserve their own sperm for future family planning.
3. Individuals undergoing fertility treatments who may not be available for sperm collection on the day of treatment due to work commitments, travel, or other reasons.
4. Individuals considering vasectomy but may change their mind and wish to have children in the future.
5. Remaining sperm from sperm retrieval procedures or testicular biopsies.
6. Sperm freezing for the purpose of sperm donation.

Sperm Retrieval Procedures: PESA/TESE

These procedures are utilized in cases where the male partner is infertile due to the absence of sperm in the ejaculated semen. Sperm can be obtained through either Percutaneous Epididymal Sperm Aspiration (PESA), involving the aspiration of sperm directly from the epididymis, or Testicular Sperm Extraction (TESE), which entails the extraction of small tissue samples from the testicles. The retrieved sperm is then used in the Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) process. These surgical procedures are performed in an operating room and do not require an overnight stay in the hospital.

Intrauterine Insemination (IUI)

Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) involves injecting specially selected, robust sperm directly into the uterine cavity during the woman’s ovulation period. This is done to increase the chances of the sperm encountering the egg, fostering fertilization. IUI is suitable for couples facing challenges such as low sperm count, abnormalities in cervical mucus, or unexplained infertility.

Tuboplasty (Reversal of Tubal Ligation)

Tuboplasty is the surgical procedure performed to reverse tubal ligation in women. In a typical tubal ligation, a section of the fallopian tubes, approximately 1-2 centimeters, is cut, and the ends are then tied to prevent the egg and sperm from meeting. Tuboplasty involves reconnecting both ends of the tubes. The success rate of tubal reversal is approximately 50%.

Before undergoing tuboplasty, individuals need to undergo a thorough evaluation by a specialized physician, including a medical history review, physical examination, ultrasound, dye injection to visualize the fallopian tubes, and assessment of the husband’s sperm. This information helps in making an informed decision about whether tuboplasty or in vitro fertilization (IVF) would be a more suitable option. Factors such as the woman’s age, the quality of the eggs and sperm, and the overall reproductive health influence the choice between tuboplasty and other fertility treatments. For instance, younger women with good egg quality may opt for tuboplasty to increase their chances of natural conception, while older women or those with compromised egg quality may find in vitro fertilization to be a more favorable option.

Hysteroscopic Surgery for Uterine Conditions

A common but often overlooked cause of fertility issues in women is the presence of uterine fibroids and polyps. These growths can hinder successful embryo implantation, posing a challenge to conception and potentially leading to miscarriages.

Hysteroscopic surgery is a minimally invasive procedure used to address such uterine abnormalities. Through the insertion of specialized instruments and a camera through the cervix into the uterine cavity, the surgeon can identify and remove fibroids or polyps. This approach eliminates the need for abdominal incisions, reducing the risk of complications related to infection and enabling a quicker recovery. Hysteroscopic surgery is typically performed as a day case procedure, allowing patients to return to their normal activities within 2-3 days.

Laparoscopic Surgery in Gynecology

Laparoscopic surgery, also known as minimally invasive surgery, involves making small incisions in the abdominal area to insert a camera and instruments into the abdominal cavity. The incisions typically range from 0.5 to 1 centimeter, resulting in about four small scars. This minimally invasive approach contributes to a faster recovery for patients, as it causes less discomfort. Patients usually stay in the hospital for 1-2 nights and can resume regular activities relatively quickly.

Gynecological conditions that can be treated through laparoscopic surgery include:

1. Ovarian cysts (cystectomy) and certain types of ovarian tumors.
2. Endometriosis, a condition where tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus.
3. Ectopic pregnancy (pregnancy outside the uterus).
4. Tubal ligation (tubal sterilization) reversal.
5. Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) causing chronic pelvic pain.
6. Fibroids or myomas.
7. Ovarian torsion, a condition where the ovary twists on its ligament.
8. Chronic pelvic pain due to various causes.

Laparoscopic surgery offers the advantage of reduced scarring, quicker recovery, and shorter hospital stays compared to traditional open surgery.

Semen Analysis

Semen analysis is a diagnostic test conducted to evaluate the fertility status of males by assessing the quantity and quality of sperm. The analysis is performed by examining semen after a period of sexual abstinence for at least 3 days. The key parameters evaluated include sperm count, motility, and morphology, providing insights into sperm health and potential fertility issues.