Speaking in an exclusive interview with Iran Daily, Saghar Salehpour, added all the world’s modern infertility treatment methods are currently employed in the country.

“Given the high level of treatment services provided in Iran, at present, a large number of patients from the Persian Gulf littoral states travel to Iran to undergo infertility treatments. The highest percentage of international patients referring to Iranian health and treatment centers come from Azerbaijan and Iraq.”

She added Iran provides all of its infertility treatment services with state tariffs and at affordable prices.

Salehpour, who is also a member of the Middle East Fertility Society (MEFS), said infertility is a prevalent disorder in the world, adding, on average, 15 percent of the couples who plan to have baby suffer from infertility problems.

Iran is the region’s top country in treating infertility, said a member of the National Association of Iranian Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

“The figure stands at up to 13 percent in Iran. One out of every six couples suffer from the disorder.”

She said infertility rate in men and women stands at 40 percent and 60 percent respectively.

“This is while, in 10-15 percent of the cases, neither the husband nor the wife individually, has any problems. However, they need medical consultation and assistance to be able to conceive baby.”

Salehpour noted that almost all infertile couples would eventually manage to have baby using one of the treatment methods.

She listed causes of infertility in women as increased age of pregnancy, ovary-related disorders, prevalent ovarian cysts and problems occurring during human pre-implantation embryo development.

In vitro fertilization (IVF) and other modern technologies, employed in treating infertility, are prove effective in 45 percent of the cases, Salehpour said.

“A part of infertility problems is caused by disorders emerging in ovary or during ovulation. These disorders include polycystic ovary syndrome, thyroid malfunction and occurrence of premature ovarian failure prior to the age of 40. Some of the disorders occur due to undergoing chemotherapy or surgery on ovary.”

She said disorders emerging in brain or central nervous system can also lead to secondary ovarian insufficiency or emergence of infertility problems, adding these disorders include benign or malignant tumors, intense mental stress, abrupt weight loss, doing heavy physical exercises and going on strict diets.

Commenting on the causes of infertility in men, Salehpour said in men, the disorder is caused mostly due to the decrease in the number of sperms, growth in the number of deformed sperms or lower sperm motility.

She listed other problems affecting men’s fertility as sexually transmitted diseases, aging (which is accompanied a decrease in the number of sperms or lowering of their quality), aggressive physical, emotional or mental actions, drug abuse, consuming alcoholic drinks, smoking and being exposed to lead as well as chemical pesticides. / iran daily /