Reproductive Medicine in Estonia

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 Estonia?

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

Introduction

Estonia is a country situated on the eastern coast of the Baltic Sea in Northern Europe. Tourism in this country is often overlooked, but those who have visited agree that the country is filled with historical wonders and hidden attractions. Today, Estonia has become a popular medical tourism destination, with a growing number of people coming from Sweden, Finland, Norway, and the UK. Foreign patients usually come for orthopedic, weight loss, or plastic surgery. What attracts medical tourists to have their treatment in Estonia is the country’s affordable and high-quality healthcare. With skilled surgeons, excellent medical centers, and incredible vacation opportunities, it is easy to see why Estonia is becoming more and more popular. Many of the board-certified surgeons in the country continue their training abroad and the private hospitals are armed with advanced technology.

Popular Cities and Regions in Estonia

The capital of Estonia is Tallinn and it charms visitors with its lively yet peaceful vibe, UNESCO-listed Old Town, photogenic sights, ancient churches, and medieval streetscapes. The city is perfect for those looking for some relaxation and pampering as it has a number of Day Spas. In addition, Tallinn is filled with delightful food and vibrant modern culture, making it the perfect place to visit. Besides Tallinn, another popular place to visit is Tartu, which is the second-largest city in the country. As a premier university town, this city is the place where Estonian doctors and surgeons study medicine. Tartu is a very historic city and also has a vibrant nightlife. 

Transport in Estonia

Tallinn International Airport is the largest airport in Estonia that serves flights to and from major cities in Europe and the Middle East, such as London, Copenhagen, and Dubai. Getting around Estonia can be done by bus or train. While the rail network is limited and affordable, buses are fast and efficient. Big cities in the country have an efficient public transportation system and taxis are widely available. It is also worth pointing out that the whole country is bicycle-friendly.

Visas in Estonia

Since Estonia is a member state of the Schengen Area, holders of passports from 62 countries, including the US, the UAE, Japan, and Australia can enter without a visa for up to 90 days. Other countries not listed in the visa waiver agreement need to apply for a Schengen visa to enter.

Weather in Estonia

The summer months of June to August have the highest temperatures, with sunny and long daylight days. Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to October) is a great time to visit the country as the weather is very pleasant. Winter, from November to February, can be freezing as the temperatures plummet and the snow starts to fall. The weather in this country is very changeable. 

Additional Info

1. Local Currency: Estonia adopted the Euro (EUR) in 2011. 1 EUR is approx. 1.08 USD.
2. Money & Payments: ATMs can be found in all cities and credit cards are widely accepted. Tipping is expected.
3. Local Language: The official language is Estonian but Russian and English is widely spoken. Some people in the country also speak Finnish and German.
4. Local Culture and Religion: More than half of Estonia’s population is non-religious. The religious population is mainly Christian.  
5. Public Holidays: Estonia celebrates various public holidays, including Independence Day, Good Friday, Easter Sunday, Spring Day, Pentecost Sunday, Victory Day, Independence Restoration Day, and Christmas Day.