Reproductology

Reproductive Medicine in Russia

 Reproductive medicine in Russia is an actively developing field aimed at diagnosing, treating, and preventing infertility, as well as supporting healthy pregnancies and childbirth. Modern technologies, including in vitro fertilization (IVF), cryopreservation of biological material, donor programs, and surrogacy, help many couples experience the joy of parenthood. Both public and private clinics offer a wide range of services in assisted reproductive technologies, with qualified specialists providing an individualized approach to each patient.

Types of Diseases

The human reproductive system is susceptible to various diseases that can lead to infertility, hormonal imbalances, and other issues that hinder conception and pregnancy. These pathologies can be conditionally divided into several categories:

• Hormonal Disorders
   Hormonal imbalances significantly affect reproductive health. In women, it can lead to anovulation, polycystic ovary syndrome, menstrual cycle irregularities, and pregnancy loss. In men, hormonal disruptions can decrease sperm quality and motility and cause erectile dysfunction.
  
  
• Infectious and Inflammatory Diseases
   Bacterial, viral, and fungal infections can affect the reproductive organs, causing chronic inflammatory processes. Common infections include endometritis, adnexitis, prostatitis, urethritis, and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, and trichomoniasis.
  
  
• Anatomical Pathologies and Developmental Defects
   Some congenital or acquired anomalies can interfere with conception and pregnancy. These include a bicornuate uterus, uterine prolapse, pelvic adhesions, ovarian hypoplasia, varicocele in men, and obstructive pathologies of the vas deferens.
  
  
• Oncological Diseases
   Malignant and benign neoplasms, such as uterine fibroids, ovarian cysts, cervical and prostate cancer, can negatively affect fertility and require serious treatment, including surgical intervention.
  
  

Immunological Infertility
 In some cases, the body produces antibodies against its reproductive cells. In women, this may manifest as a reaction to a partner's sperm, hindering fertilization, while in men, it may manifest as antisperm antibodies that reduce sperm motility.

Symptoms

 Reproductive system diseases can manifest differently depending on their nature and stage of development. Common symptoms that require medical attention include:
 In women:

• Menstrual cycle disorders (delays, very heavy or light periods, lack of ovulation)
  
  
• Lower abdominal and lower back pain, especially during menstruation or intercourse
  
  
• Unexplained weight changes, acne, excessive hair growth (signs of hormonal imbalance)
  
  
• Unpleasant-smelling discharge, itching, and burning in the genital area
  
  
•  Long-term inability to conceive despite regular sexual activity without contraception
  
  

In men:

• Decreased libido, erectile dysfunction
  
  
• Pain or discomfort in the groin, testicles, or perineum
  
  
•  Problems with urination, frequent urges, burning
  
  
• Changes in sperm consistency or color
  
  
• Low sperm quality (detected only through analysis)
  
  

If any of these symptoms occur, it is important to consult a specialist as soon as possible for diagnosis and optimal treatment.

Diagnosis

• Hormone blood tests (estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, FSH, LH, etc.)
  
  
• General and biochemical blood tests
  
  
• Tests for sexually transmitted infections
  
  
• Semen analysis (for men) – assessment of sperm quality and motility
  
  
• Genetic tests – performed if hereditary infertility factors or the risk of transmitting genetic diseases to the child are suspected
  
  

Instrumental methods:

• Ultrasound of the pelvic organs – to assess the condition of the ovaries, uterus, and prostate
  
  
• Hysteroscopy – examination of the uterine cavity using an endoscope
  
  
• Laparoscopy – a minimally invasive diagnostic and treatment method for anatomical pathologies
  
  
• MRI and CT – used when tumors or structural anomalies are suspected
  
  

Treatment Methods

The choice of treatment depends on the diagnosis, the patient's age, the severity of the pathology, and the individual characteristics of the body. In most cases, therapy begins with medication. Hormonal drugs are used to correct endocrine disorders, antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medications are used for infections, and immunomodulatory drugs are used for immunological problems.
 For structural pathologies or serious diseases, surgical intervention may be required. Modern methods include laparoscopic surgeries for removing cysts, fibroids, and adhesions, tubal surgery to restore patency, as well as surgical treatment of varicocele in men. In cases of oncological diseases, radical tumor removal may be necessary.

If conservative and surgical methods do not yield results, assisted reproductive technologies are used. In vitro fertilization (IVF) is the most common method for treating infertility. Other techniques include artificial insemination with sperm, cryopreservation of eggs and embryos to preserve reproductive material, and, in some cases, donor programs and surrogacy.

Conclusion

A comprehensive approach allows for the selection of the optimal treatment option, increasing the chances of successful conception and the birth of a healthy child. For the convenience of patients, the MARUS platform provides services for organizing treatment in leading clinics in Russia, including assistance from specialists in obstetrics, gynecology, and reproductology. The service helps choose a medical institution and a doctor specializing in reproductive medicine, as well as coordinating the diagnostic and therapeutic process.