Reproductive Medicine in Colombia

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 Colombia?

Your length of stay in Colombia depends on your specific condition and the type of test and/or treatment you underwent. In general, it is advisable that you stay in Colombia 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 Colombia 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 Colombia

Colombia, officially the Republic of Colombia, is a country in northwestern South America. Since emerging from four decades of civil war, Colombia today has become a safe and rewarding place to visit. This country is blessed with breathtaking beauty, from Caribbean beaches and high Andean peaks to lush Amazon jungle and diverse wildlife, not to mention its gorgeous colonial cities, mysterious archeological sites, and magical culture. In recent years, the popularity of Colombia’s high-quality, internationally recognized medical centers has turned the country into an international medical tourism destination. The country is particularly popular for those who want to undergo top-quality, but affordable cosmetic surgery, such as liposuction and breast augmentation. 

Popular Parts of Colombia

Bogotá, the capital of Colombia, is a city of contrasts. Colonial churches stand side by side with modern high-rise buildings, and the culture is a mixture of Spanish, English, and Indian influences. Here, visitors can see the Museo de Oro (Gold Museum), tour Casa de Nariño (the president’s house), visit the Botero Museum, or check out a beautiful view of the city from Monserrate Church. Besides Bogotá, Cartagena is also a popular destination. It is a wonderfully preserved colonial town next to the Caribbean. It is famous for many things, such as its Old Walled City, Castillo San Felipe de Barajas, Playa Blanca, Getsemani, and Plaza de Trinidad.

Weather and Climate in Colombia

Due to its proximity to the Equator, Colombia experiences a tropical climate. The average temperatures in the country remain the same all year round, ranging from 17°C to 24°C. There are generally two seasons in the country: the dry season and the wet (rainy) season. The dry season runs from December to January and July to August. The weather during this season is pleasant, with lots of sunny days. However, it can be dusty and windy. The rainy season spans from April to May and October to November. Rain usually comes in the afternoon or at night, while the morning is sunny.

Getting around in Colombia

El Dorado international airport is the main airport in Colombia. It connects Bogota with 42 domestic and 46 international destinations, serving 26 different countries across the globe, including France, Mexico, Canada, the US, the UAE, Japan, and the Netherlands. The fastest and most convenient way to get around is by plane, especially when traveling long distances. All major cities are connected by frequent bus services. Long-distance services usually use large, comfortable buses, while shorter distances are covered with vans, sometimes even sedans. To get around in most of the Pacific coast and the Amazon, boats are the only option, though they can be expensive. Inside cities, taxis are widely available and city buses are reliable. Several cities also have cable-car lines and metro train services.

Tourist Visas in Colombia

Nationals of 99 countries, including all EU countries, Australia, the US, the UK, and Canada, do not need a visa to visit and stay in Colombia for up to 90 days unless noted otherwise. Citizens of other countries are required to obtain a visa before their visit. The visa is valid for up to 90 days. Colombia has a special temporary visa for medical treatment, which may be granted to a foreigner who needs to undergo medical treatment in Colombia for more than 90 days.

Additional Information

1. Local Currency: The currency of Colombia is the Colombian Peso (COP). 1 USD is equivalent to 3,838 COP. US dollars are sometimes accepted, but be aware that the prices may go up if you use US dollars.
2. Money & Payments: ATMs are widely available throughout the main city. Credit cards, particularly Visa and MasterCard, are accepted. There is no tipping culture in Colombia, but many people tip around 10% of the bill.
3. Local Language: Spanish is the most widely spoken language in Colombia. English is widely spoken in tourist areas.
4. Local Culture and Religion: The biggest religion is Roman Catholicism. However, the constitution guarantees freedom of religion. 
5. Public holidays: New Year’s Day, Epiphany, Saint Joseph’s Day, Maundy Thursday, Corpus Christi, Sacred Heart, Colombia Independence Day, and Christmas Day are some of the most celebrated public holidays in Colombia.