Reproduktionsmaterialien

Reproductive medicine, known in German as Reproduktionsmedizin, is a medical specialty focused on diagnosing and treating infertility and other reproductive health problems. It addresses disorders affecting both women and men and often involves hormonal assessment, imaging, genetic testing, and lifestyle considerations. Treatments aim to enable pregnancy, preserve fertility, or manage reproductive health concerns across a person's lifespan.

Common interventions include assisted reproductive technologies such as in vitro fertilization (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI); intrauterine insemination (IUI); use of donor eggs or sperm; gestational surrogacy; and cryopreservation of oocytes, sperm, or embryos. Genetic screening, including preimplantation genetic testing (PGT), may be used to reduce inherited risks or select embryos. Reproductive medicine also encompasses ovulation induction, fertility preservation for medical treatments, and management of conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), endometriosis, or male factor infertility.

Evaluation typically involves semen analysis, hormonal profiling, imaging studies, and assessment of ovarian reserve and tubal patency. Treatments are tailored to the individual's age, diagnosis, and reproductive goals. Success rates vary with age and cause of infertility, and treatments carry potential risks such as multiple pregnancy, ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, ectopic pregnancy, and emotional and financial burdens.

Ethical, legal, and social considerations influence access to care, donor anonymity, surrogate arrangements, and the regulation of ART. Guidelines from professional bodies, and national laws, shape practice standards. Reproductive medicine has evolved since the late 20th century, with the birth of the first IVF baby in 1978 marking a turning point in infertility care.