Balloon SinuplastyBarretts oesophagus treatmentBiliopancreatic diversion (BPD)Biological age test (Telomere)Bipolar disorderBladder examination by camera (cystoscopy)Bladder function studyBladder resectionBlastocyst embryo transferBlocked tear duct surgeryBlood testBone density scan for osteoporosisBone marrow transplantBotulinum toxin (Botox)Bowel (partial) removalBowel cancer screenBrachial Plexus Injury (BPI) TreatmentBrachytherapyBrain and spine cavernoma microsurgeryBranchial CystBreast enlargement (boob job)Breast examBreast lump removalBreast reconstruction surgeryBreast reductionBreast removalBreast tissue removalBreast upliftBridgeBrow liftBunion surgeryBursitis (injection treatment)Buttock implants (inc Brazilian butt lift)
Calf implantsCancer treatmentCardiac pacemaker insertionCardiac surgeryCardiologyCarotid artery surgeryCarpal tunnel releaseCataract surgeryCataract surgery using Femtosecond LaserCerebral palsy rehabilitationCervical smearCervix biopsyCheek implantsChemotherapyChest wall defect repair (surgical and non-surgical)Chest x-rayChin implantsChiropodyChiropracticChlamydia testCholesteatomaCircumcisionClearing of the sinusesColon examination by cameraColon polyp removalColonoscopyCornea transplantCoronary angiogramCoronary angiographyCoronary angioplastyCoronary artery bypass graft (CABG)Cosmetic surgeryCosmetic treatments (non-surgical)CrownCruciate knee ligament surgeryCT scanCubital tunnel decompressionCyberknife surgeryCystectomyCystoprostatectomy
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)Dental hygienist (clean)Dental implantDental treatmentDental x-rayDentureDermabrasionDermal fillersDEXA bone scanDiabetic Macular Oedema and Retinal Vein OcclusionDialysis treatmentDIAM spinal stabilisation systemDigital scalp microscopeDilation and curettage (D&C)Disc hernia surgery endoscopic (EasyGo)DNA testDonor insemination (DI)Draining of fluid from the earDrama therapyDuodenal switchDupuytren`s contracture surgery
Ear nose & throat (ENT)Ear pinningEar surgery (middle ear)Ear syringingEar wax removal (microsuction)Early embryo viability assessment (Eeva) testEating disorder treatmentEating disorder treatmentsECGEchocardiogramEctopic pregnancy removalEctropion/ entropion of the eyelid surgeryEgg donationEgg freezingElbow replacementElbow replacement revisionElectrocardiogram (ECG)Electroencephalography (EEG)Embryo donationEndodoscopyEndometrial ablationEndoscopic retrograde cholangio pancreatography (ERCP)Endovascular aneurysm surgeryExcision of spinal cord tumoursExecutive health screenExtracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL)Eye bag removalEye removalEye surgeryEyebrow reconstruction (FUE)Eyelid reduction
FaceliftFacet joint injectionFallopian tubes examination by cameraFalse eye removal and exchangeFat transferFemale genital surgeryFemale sterilisationFemale sterilisation reversalFilling (white bonded composite)Flexible SigmoidoscopyFood intolerance screenFoot and ankle surgeryFrenuloplastyFrozen embryo transfer (FET)Fusion of the toe
Macular hole and vitreo-macular traction treatmentMale/Female Hormone profilingMedicalMeniscectomy (cartilage)Mental health treatmentMesothelioma treatmentsMohs micrographic surgeryMole removalMole screeningMRI scanMusic therapyMyomectomy (Laparoscopic)
Nasal polyp removalNaturopathyNerve block injections for Headaches/MigrainesNeuro rehabilitationNeurosurgeryNipple correctionNon-surgical facelift with dermal fillersNon-surgical hair loss treatmentNose enlargementNose reshapingNose surgery (for blocked nose)Nose swelling removal
Obesity surgeryOccupational therapy for prosthesis usersOcular coherence tomography (OCT)Oesophageal dysmotilityOesophageal StentOesophagoscopyOesophagus and stomach examination by endoscope (gastroscopy)Orthopaedic surgeryOsteopathyOsteotomyOvarian cancer debulking surgeryOveractive bladder syndrome treatments
Painful bladder syndrome treatmentParathyroidectomyParotid gland removalPartial removal of colon/rectumPelvic floor surgeryPelvic organ prolapse surgeryPelvic vein embolisationPenile curvature correctionPenile Injection therapyPenis foreskin looseningPercutaneous stone extraction from the kidney (PCNL)PET scanPhotodynamic therapy (PDT)PhysiotherapyPilonidal sinus surgeryPituitary tumour treatmentPodiatryPorcelain inlayPre-auricular Sinus ExcisionPregnancy scanPregnancy screen (nuchal translucency screen)Preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD)Preimplantation genetic screening (PGS)Prominent ear correction (Earfold procedure)Prostate artery embolisation (PAE)Prostate biopsyProstate Resection (using Holmium Laser)Prostate surgery (TURP)ProstatectomyProsthetic limb consultationProton beam therapy (PBT)Ptosis correction surgery
RadiotherapyRealignment of the kneeReflexologyRefractive Lens ExchangeRehabilitation (physical)Removal of abnormal cervical cells (LLETZ)Removal of retroperitoneal tumour (Laparoscopy)Retinal laser surgeryRetzius-sparing radical prostatectomyRoot canal treatmentRotator Cuff Repair
Salivary Gland RemovalScans and investigationsScar repair hair transplantScoliosis surgerySeptoplastySexual health screenSexual medicineShock treatment for irregular heartbeat (Defibrillation)Shoulder arthroscopy (keyhole investigation of the shoulder)Shoulder keyhole surgeryShoulder replacementShoulder replacement revisionShoulder surgerySinus surgerySkin disorder treatmentSkin lesion removal (Cryotherapy)Sleeve gastrectomySmall vein removal (Sclerotherapy)Snoring surgerySpa (Medical) and wellness treatmentSpa and wellness treatmentSpeech and language therapySpinal fusionSpinal Stenosis treatmentsSpinal trauma rehabilitationSpinal vascular malformationSpine and back surgerySpleen removalSport and remedial massageSports injury treatmentSquint correctionStapedotomyStem cell treatmentStomach removalSurgery for menieres disease (Endolymphatic Sac Surgery)Surgical sperm retrieval (PESA; TESA; MESA)SurrogacySVT (supraventricular tachycardia) treatment
Tear in anus (anal fissure) repairTendons in shoulder repairTest for Down`s syndrome (CVS)Tests and medicalsThigh liftThymus Tumour (Thymoma)Thyroid gland inflammation (Thyroiditis)Thyroid gland removal (Thyroidectomy)Toe nail removalTongue tie operationTonsil removalTooth extractionTooth fillingTooth straightening (invisalign)Tooth whiteningTorn cartilage repairTotal Laparoscopic Radical Trachelectomy (TLRT)Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI)Trapeziectomy surgeryTrapped nerve surgeryTrigger finger releaseTummy tuckTwisted testis surgery
UltrasoundUnblocking of blood vessels in the heartUndescended testicle surgeryUreter stone removalUreteroscopy and fragmentation of kidney stone using laserUrethra examinationUrodynamics studyUrolift (Prostate hyperplasia treatment)UrologyUterus examination by camera (hysteroscopy)
VaccinationVaginal and vulval warts removalVaginal prolapse surgeryVaginal tighteningVaginal wall repairVaginoscopyVaricocele surgeryVaricose ulcer removalVaricose vein surgeryVaricose Vein Treatment (VenaSeal)Varicose veins ablationVascular disease surgery (peripheral)Vasectomy (male sterilisation)Vasectomy reversalVaser LiposuctionVeneerVertebroplasty and KythoplastyVoicebox and vocal chords examination by cameraVulvectomy (Radical)
Well man screenWell woman screenWisdom tooth extractionWomb examination by cameraWomb removalWrist arthroscopy (keyhole investigation & surgery of the wrist)
The practicalities of going abroad for infertility treatmentBen Reed2024-10-01T17:24:35+01:00
The practicalities of going abroad for infertility treatment
Overseas healthcare is a safe and viable option but it is important to read all you can and if possible talk to people who have been abroad for infertility treatment, scan the newspapers or TV to see which countries are getting good press for their fertility expertise.
After deciding whether being away from home to undergo infertility investigations, surgery or treatment is for you, next establish whether you will be able to go alone or whether both you and your partner should go together. If you are going alone, ask if there is a close friend/member of the family who could accompany you, as you will want a good support system in place.
Having the infertility treatment in a country quite close to your home country is definitely advantageous for return visits and follow ups – cheaper on the pocket and more comfortable than long haul flying especially combined with the possible side effects of fertility drugs. However, if you are going on an IVF holiday or for treatment where you only need to be seen once, it is perhaps more important to choose the ‘right’ location for you, rather than the closest destination to your home country.
Preparing for your treatment
Depending on the treatment plan you may need to develop a flexible schedule to potentially fly abroad at 24 hours’ notice (you might be put on a course of drugs for a few weeks and be on alert to get there only to discover that donor eggs are unavailable or unsuitable) so make sure your current work and lifestyle will allow for this.
Read up on local costs, the prices of meals, transport and hotels, how easy is it to travel around and whether it is considered safe to do so. Find out about the country’s crime rates and whether you will need to have any vaccinations, and if so, how far in advance you will need to have them. If possible, see if you can time your trip with the country’s low season when travel costs (flights and hotels) will be less expensive and you can save more money overall.
Since being as relaxed as possible will increase your chances of becoming pregnant, a centre which includes relaxation and/or holistic therapies in their programme will be advantageous, as will a centre which is not too far from the airport or your hotel so that you can minimise the amount of time spent travelling and any associated stress. Pack some familiar items to help you to feel more comfortable and relaxed in the hotel/hospital accommodation, make sure your passports are up to date and find out if you will need a visa (dependent on the country).
As with any travel abroad you are advised to arrange travel insurance to cover for lost luggage and/or other travel associated issues but be clear about the purpose of your ‘holiday’ as if it is not declared that you are going abroad for infertility treatment the insurance cover may not be properly valid, which could result in your insurer refusing to pay claims on any part of the policy – even if only for lost luggage.
