Gynaecological Endocrinology and IVF in Germany

Gynaecological endocrinology and reproductive medicine (IVF) in German hospitals is one of the sub-specialities of general gynaecology. Larger medical centres, however, have dedicated clinical departments of reproductive medicine (IVF). Germany is home to many highly respected private reproductive medicine clinics that enjoy a well-earned reputation both among German patients and among patients from all over the world.

The main areas of focus of reproductive medicine (IVF) clinics are the investigation of hormonal disorders, infertility, including assisted fertilisation, and the correction of age-related hormonal changes.

Areas of expertise of centres for gynaecological endocrinology and IVF

• gynaecological endocrine disorders (hyperandrogenaemia, hyperprolactinaemia in functional disorders of the female reproductive system);
• secondary endocrine disorders of the menstrual cycle;
• disorders of puberty;
• genetically determined underdevelopment, deformities and malpositions of the genitals;
• family planning and forms of contraception;
• hormone treatment of postmenopausal metabolic syndrome;
• infertility (assessment of tubal patency and function, uterine fibroids, endometriosis, infections of the urogenital tract);
• monitoring of the menstrual cycle;
• intrauterine insemination;
• assisted fertilisation (in vitro fertilisation, intracytoplasmic injection, retrieval of sperm from the testicles (TESE) or the epididymis);
• intracytoplasmic sperm injection, including with sperm obtained by biopsy;
• endocrinological diagnosis of pregnancy;
• endocrine therapy for transsexualism.

Range of diagnostic services at clinics for gynaecological endocrinology and IVF:

• laparoscopy;
• hysteroscopy;
• genetic testing;
• immunological testing;
• andrological testing;
• hormone tests;
• ultrasound examinations;
• examinations for inflammation of the genital organs;
• specialised examinations for women after repeated miscarriages (recurrent miscarriage);
• contrast-enhanced ultrasound examination of the fallopian tubes (Echovist);
  examinations for genetic causes of infertility in women and men (chromosome analysis);
• ejaculate analysis (semen analysis);
• hormone tests;
• examination of semen for inflammation and antibodies.

Range of therapeutic services at departments of gynaecological endocrinology and IVF:

• hormonal stimulation;
• homologous insemination (ejaculate of the husband/partner);
• donor sperm insemination (DI, IVF with donor sperm);
• assisted fertilisation (in vitro fertilisation / IVF);
  intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI);
• assisted embryo hatching/thinning of the embryo's zona pellucida «Assisted hatching» (AZH);
• prenatal molecular cytogenetic diagnosis of numerical and structural chromosome abnormalities in foetal cells using FISH and CGH analysis;
• freezing of fertilised egg cells;
• microsurgical sperm extraction techniques (MESA, TESE);
• ICSI after sperm has been obtained directly from the testicles in cooperation with urologists (TESE — retrieval of sperm from the testicle / «TESE-testikuläre Spermienextraktion»);
• detailed examination of the biological material;
• polarisation microscopy (a procedure for selecting the best egg cells);
• injection of a sperm cell selected by means of morphological semen analysis (IMSI) into the egg cell (intracytoplasmic sperm injection / ICSI), assessment of oocyte (egg cell) quality, artificial oocyte activation;
• culture of the embryo to the blastocyst stage;
• transfer of the embryo into the uterine cavity on day 5 / 6 of its development (blastocyst transfer);
• counselling and treatment of HIV-discordant couples;
• embryoscopy (continuous monitoring of embryo development in the incubator in order to improve the success rate of the fertilisation procedure);
• surgical treatment of women with blocked fallopian tubes (tubal infertility), fibroids, malformations of the uterus, ovarian cysts or endometriosis;
• polar body analysis (PGD), i.e. genetic analysis of the five chromosomes 13, 16, 18, 21 and 22. This procedure reduces the risk of miscarriage after IVF or ICSI (advisable for women aged 38 and over and for couples with an increased risk of pregnancy loss);
• hormone therapy for menopausal disorders in women;
• hormone therapy for transsexuality;
• paediatric and adolescent gynaecology.

        CHECK PRICES         CHOOSE A CLINIC

RECOMMENDED SPECIALISTS

Gynaecological endocrinology, infertility, IVF Professor Dr. med. Thomas Katzorke

Essen

Book an appointment