Reproductive Medicine in Iran

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 Iran?

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

Introduction

Iran is a country situated in Western Asia, as well as the second-largest in the Middle East. It is home to one of the oldest civilizations in the world, starting from the fourth millennium BC when the Elamite Kingdoms were formed. Iran is widely known as the jewel in Islam’s crown, filled with awe-inspiring architecture and friendly people. The country is also a popular medical tourism destination due to its efficient healthcare system and experienced specialists. The medical centers in the country keep pace with the latest medical developments and provide top-class services. International medical tourists usually come to Iran for cosmetic procedures, which are currently witnessing a vast growth. Cosmetic procedures in the country, such as rhinoplasty and hair transplant, are performed with advanced scientific techniques and are highly successful. Furthermore, the healthcare cost in the country is a lot more affordable than in many other Western countries.

Popular Cities and Regions in Iran

The capital of Iran, Tehran, is the most populous city in the country. Situated at the foot of the snow-capped Alborz mountain range, the city is filled with museums, restaurants, parks, and friendly people. The most popular landmark in this city is the Azadi Tower, which is the symbol of the city. Besides this tower, visitors can also go to the Tehran City Theater to see its amazing architecture, explore the Treasury of the National Jewels to admire the largest collection of jewels found in the world and visit the Golestan Palace, which is the oldest historic monument in Tehran. Besides Tehran, Tabriz is another popular city and it is a modern industrialized city with a very rich history and historical monuments, such as the Blue Mosque and El Goli.

Transport in Iran

The main international airport is the new Imam Khomeini International Airport in Tehran. It serves international flights to and from numerous cities around the world, including Dubai, Ankara, London, Bangkok, and Beijing. Budget airlines are operating from this airport, such as Pegasus Airlines and Air Asia. To get around Iran, domestic flights are affordable and fast. Buses and trains are also widely available with extensive networks. Taxis are best for inter-city travel.

Visas in Iran

Iran allows citizens of 16 countries to visit without a visa for up to 90 days, including Armenia, China, and Malaysia. Most citizens of other countries can obtain a visa on arrival. However, visa on arrival does not apply to citizens of 14 other countries, such as the US and the UK.

Weather in Iran

Iran experiences four seasons. Spring (March-May) and autumn (September –October) are pleasant with mild temperatures. Summer (June to August) can be scorching hot, with the temperatures soaring to 37°C. The winter can get bitterly cold as the temperatures drop to 0°C.

Additional Info

1. Local Currency: The official currency is the Iranian rial (IR). 1 USD is approx. 41,921 IR.
2. Money & Payments: You cannot use ATMs, credit or debit cards, or traveler's cheques in Iran. Therefore, bring all you’ll need in cash.
3. Local Language: Persian is the official language in Iran. However, the country has several main languages, including Azerbaijani and Kurdish. Not many people speak English in the country. 
4. Local Culture and Religion: About 99% of Iran’s population is Muslims, with the Shia branch of Islam as the biggest. The two largest non-Muslim religious minorities are Christianity and Bahá'í Faith. 
5. Public holidays:  Islamic Revolution Day, Nature Day, Eid e-Fitr, and Eid-e-Qorban are some of the most important public holidays in Iran.