Reproductive Medicine in Cancun

Reproductive medicine is a field of medicine that deals with the prevention, diagnosis, and management of male and female reproductive issues. It encompasses the prevention and assessment, as well as the treatment and prognosis of a wide variety of reproductive conditions. The main goal of reproductive medicine is to improve or maintain the female and male reproductive systems. Reproductive medicine specialists particularly treat and advise on any issues impacting a person’s or a couple’s ability to conceive. They treat issues of puberty, sexual education, family planning, birth control, infertility, sexual dysfunction, and reproductive system disease, such as:

• Infectious diseases, such as reproductive tract infections (RTIs) and sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
• Cancer that affects the reproductive system, such as breast cancer, ovarian cancer, penile cancer, and prostate cancer.
• Conditions that affect fertility, such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), endometriosis, fibroids, hypothyroidism, cryptorchidism, vasectomy, and retrograde ejaculation.
• Congenital abnormalities, such as imperforate hymen and epispadias.
• Endocrine disorders, such as teratoma, hypogonadism, idiopathic hirsutism, androgen insensitivity syndrome, ovarian cysts, and hypopituitarism.

Tests and treatments that reproductive medicine may perform include:

• Full medical history assessment
• Physical examination
• Blood tests
• Imaging techniques, such as pelvic ultrasounds
• Investigations of semen samples
• Ovulation induction
• Assisted reproductive technology (ART) such as in-vitro fertilization (IVF), fertility medication, artificial insemination (AI), embryo transfer, and frozen embryo replacement (FER)
• Open surgery
• Laparoscopic surgery
• Prescribing medication, such as antibiotics for bacterial infections or highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) for the HIV virus.

Reproductive medicine is a multidisciplinary branch of medicine that combines physiology, endocrinology, and anatomy, as well as some aspects of biochemistry and molecular biology. Reproductive medicine also overlaps with other branches of medicines, such as gynecology, urology, obstetrics, and psychiatry.

How Long Should I Stay in Cancun?

Your length of stay in Cancun depends on your specific condition and the type of test and/or treatment you underwent. In general, it is advisable that you stay in Cancun for at least 1-3 weeks, although you may be able to travel home within 1 to 2 days after some diagnostic tests. During your stay, you will attend follow-up appointments.

What's the Expected Recovery Time?

Your specific condition, the type of test/treatment you underwent, the technique your doctor used, and your overall health determines the recovery time. For open surgery, it may take around 4 to 6 weeks until you are allowed to resume your normal activity and to go back to work. Laparoscopic surgery offers shorter recovery time, usually only 3 to 4 weeks until you can return back to your normal activity level. For non-surgical procedures, such as IVF, you should be able to go back to your normal routine immediately after the procedure.

What Aftercare is Required?

You will be given detailed aftercare instructions that you will need to follow. In most cases, you will attend regular checkups with your reproductive medicine specialist in Cancun or with your local doctor back at home. 

What's the Success Rate?

The advancement of reproductive medicine and a better understanding of the human reproductive system has lead to an increased safety and success rate of the reproductive system’s tests and treatments. The field has allowed the development of assisted reproductive technology (ART), resulting in advances in overcoming infertility. ART is also safer than surgical procedures, minimizing the risks that surgical procedures carry.

Are there Alternatives?

Depending on your specific case, you may be able to see a gynecologist, urologist, obstetrician, or even oncologist as the alternative to seeing a reproductive medicine specialist. It is best, however, to talk to your general physician first as they will be able to direct you to the right specialist. 

Reproductive Medicine in and around Cancun

About Cancun

Occupying a coveted location on Mexico's Yucatan peninsula and bordered by the Caribbean Sea, Cancun stands as the country's top-tier coastal attraction. This city, best recognized for its sprawling 21 km stretch of pristine white sandy beaches, also presents exhilarating water-based recreational activities and a lively nocturnal scene.

Cancun is emerging as one of the most desirable destinations for medical tourism. It has world-class healthcare facilities and internationally accredited hospitals. The city hosts two of the five JCI accredited hospitals in Mexico. Furthermore, Multi-million dollar ‘Health City' project is underway and the aim of the project is to establish the largest medical complex of its kind in the country.

Annually, Cancun welcomes thousands of individuals from various global corners seeking to undergo an array of medical procedures. Affordability remains a key attraction, with patients managing to save approximately 60-80% in total healthcare costs, inclusive of travel and accommodation. As an illustration, a bariatric surgery that could set you back by $25,000 in the US could be feasibly done in Cancun for a mere $600.

The gamut of medical procedures offered in this beach-front city spans across dental treatments, alternative therapies, aesthetic surgery, cardiac surgery, cosmetic surgeries, as well as obstetrics and gynecology. The most sought-after treatments are typically dental and cosmetic surgeries, largely undertaken at acclaimed centers such as Perfection Makeover and Laser Center, Cancun Dental Specialists, and Hospital Galenia.

Popular parts in Cancun

Cancun, a prominent resort city, can be broadly classified into two distinctly different areas: the Zona Hotelera Cancun and Cancun Downtown.

• Zona Hotelera Cancun

The area encompasses several suburbs. The zone lies on the 15-mile long sandbar just off the mainland. Beachfront luxury resorts, shopping malls, multi-cuisine restaurants, and lovely Caribbean beaches are the highlights of the area. The nightlife is exhilarating with glitzy bars and salsa clubs. You can enjoy the rotating observation deck on the scenic tower Cancun to enjoy the breath-taking view of the ocean and the city.

Tourists can indulge in a number of water sport activities including snorkeling, windsurfing, paragliding, scuba diving, and water skiing. The natural water park Xel-Ha is ideal for snorkeling.

Your trip will be incomplete without a visit to the age-old Mayan Museum. Cancun is the starting point for discovering Maya Riveria, which houses the world's second largest coral reef.

The picturesque island, Isle Mujeres is just a few miles off the coastal line and has pristine beaches. The world-famous underwater Museum, MUSA is an absolute visual treat for the tourists. The museum has over 500 stunning sculptures. You can admire their beauty from inside the glass bottom boats.

• Cancun downtown

The downtown portion of Cancun is characterized as a bustling hive of lively shops, diverse eateries, and spirited pubs. Tulum Avenue stands out as the primary and most attractive boulevard in the area, boasting an impressive assortment of handicraft shops, theatre venues, departmental stores, and shopping centers.

The city’s expansive open-air market, Mercado 28, enjoys popularity for its vendors specializing in silver jewelry and unique souvenirs. Yaxchilan Avenue, a street forever brimming with animated bars and restaurants, virtually never sleeps.

The residential architecture within Cancun downtown predominantly comprises of apartment complexes and villas.

Weather and Climate in Cancun

Endowed with the quintessential sun-soaked holiday weather, Cancun boasts a tropical savanna climate characterized by two distinct cycles: the dry season and the rainy season. Average temperatures generally oscillate between 23°C and 28°C. Dips below 21°C are fairly rare, just as surges above 34°C.

The optimal time to plan a visit to this city spans from November to April. This timeframe offers moderate temperatures and minimal rainfall, making it an appealing period for a holiday. However, it's noteworthy that accommodation costs tend to hike significantly during these months.

1. Wet season: May to October and the city receives 984 mm rainfall during this season. Yet, during the day, you can enjoy plenty of sunshine. Short episodes of thunderstorms are more common and due to the less favorable climatic conditions, the inflow of tourists reduces during this season.
2. Dry season: November to April. The temperature is warm and it is the perfect time to swim. Occasional showers are common with a few cool and windy days.

Getting around in Cancun

It is easy to get around and navigate in Cancun, as most of the tourist attractions lie in the Zona Hotelera. Taxis, public buses and other means of transportation are available to cater to the needs of the locals and the tourists.

• Bus: Is the easiest and the cheapest way to get around. The one-way ticket can cost you somewhere between 0.50 cents to $1. The existing bus routes connect Zona Hotelera and Cancun downtown. You can visit all the locations on your bucket list by bus. Regional buses are available to travel from Cancun to other tourist towns.
• Taxis: They are not metered, so it is good to agree on the fare before departing. You can expect to pay $40-$50 if you are taking a taxi from the airport to downtown. Normally, inside the city, you need to pay somewhere between $10 and $25 per journey.
• Ferry: Ferry services are available to travel to nearby islands like the Isle of Mujeres. Ferries run at a frequency of 30 minutes and will cost around $19 for adults and $14 for kids for a return ticket.
• Flight: The second busiest airport of Mexico, Cancun International Airport is a 25-minute drive from the Zona Hotelera. Several domestic flights and International flights heading to the US, UK, and Europe operates from here.

Tourist Visa in Cancun

Visa requirements for Mexico:

Citizens of 67 countries, including Australia, Brazil, Belgium, Canada, the USA, UK, Spain, Japan, and more, are exempt from visas when visiting Mexico for up to 180 days.

Citizens of India, China, and Russia need to apply for a tourist visa in advance before traveling to Mexico. The tourist visa is valid for six months from the date of entry and can be extended for up to six months. The tourist visa fee is around $22 USD.

How to apply for a Mexican tourist visa:

You can apply for a Mexican tourist visa online or at a Mexican embassy or consulate. The online application process is relatively straightforward and takes about 20 minutes to complete. You will need to provide your passport information, travel dates, and contact information. You will also need to upload a digital photo of yourself.

Once you have submitted your application, you will receive an email confirmation. You should then receive your visa within 5 to 10 business days.

Additional Information

1. Mexico is ethnically diverse. Spanish is the main language widely spoken here. However, you will notice locals conversing in Mayan with each other. There are 68 indigenous languages in Mexico. Most People in Cancun will speak English.
2. The Mexican peso (MXN) is the official currency of Mexico. As of October 11, 2023, 1 USD is equivalent to approximately 19.6 Mexican pesos. The exchange rate fluctuates daily, so it is best to check the latest rate before traveling.
3. ATM machines lie inside the premises of the bank. Money exchange booths are there to convert currencies. Traders accept both credit and debit cards.
4. Almost 89% of the population in Cancun are Catholics.
5. Public holidays in Cancun:​​​​​​​

• ​​​​​​​New Year's Eve - January 1
• ​​​​​​​Christmas Day – December 25
• Revolution Day – Third Monday in November
• Independence Day – September 16
• Good Friday
• Constitution Day – First Monday of February