With a one-in-five infertility rate, more Irish couples are turning to in-vitro fertilisation (IVF). Treatments include IVF, sperm donation, donor egg treatment, reproductive immunology, and EEVA, the early embryo viability assessment test.
Medical Director David Walsh Said the Move was Largely Due to an
Increase In the Number of Patients From the Area.
"We've treated hundreds of couples from Munster in our facility in Dublin, but it is much more helpful and convenient for them if they can engage with us in Cork," said Dr Walsh.
"This new fertility unit in Cork allows patients to discuss their concerns in absolute confidentiality and to find out about the range of sophisticated technology, tests and treatment they can avail of, to overcome their fertility challenges."
"People are very open to it," he said. "I think the embarrassment around it has gone. Fertility treatment has been really normalised over the past decade or so."
Treatments include IVF, sperm donation, donor egg treatment, reproductive immunology, and EEVA, the early embryo viability assessment test, which is a recent major breakthrough in supporting fertility treatment.
Dr Walsh said It Is more Affordable than People Might Think,
Especially When Coupled with the Help Offered by the Government.
"Say it takes around two cycles of IVF. That would be around €7,000 or €8,000," he said.
"And I don't think Irish couples quite realise the support they get from the Government in relation to having treatment. Firstly, the drugs are largely paid for by the Government. Secondly, you can claim tax back on all out of pocket expenses so you get 20% back. It's quite a substantial contribution."