IVF Myths and truths – Speech
A speech by Dr Evangelos Sakkas
A very interesting speech took place on 25/10/2017 (at 19:00) at the theatre “Karolos Koun”. Its title was “Myths and Truths in In Vitro Fertilization”. It was an initiative of the Volunteer Group of the Municipality of Alimos and its Youth Center. The Obstetrician Gynecologist, Dr. Evangelos Sakkas was the main speaker, who specializes in in vitro fertilization and gynecological endocrinology.
First, the Deputy Mayor D.Y. and Volunteering, Stefanos Diamantis, welcomed the speaker and those who were present at this second medical theme event. Then, a speech was given by our Mayor Andreas Kondylis, who said:
“We have little health information and the Municipality of Alimos took the initiative to fill this gap, making these meetings with serious specialized scientists. Today’s meeting is in this context. It has been 39 years since Leslie Braun gave birth to the “first test tube baby”, Louisa, a healthy baby girl weighing 2,600 kg at Oldham Hospital in England on July 25, 1978.
Until then, couples were going through great difficulties, experiencing at the same time frustration, sadness and irresponsible information, having the greatest natural desire to have a child, a fact that often made couples break up. In this context, we will continue and insist that people talk to the experts and that there is proper information.”
During his speech, the doctor initially said that “The basic principle is that infertility is a case of both partners”. Then, he answered all the questions about IVF such as “What is IVF?” “Causes leading to IVF”. “Basic exams but more detailed as well”. “Protocols”. “Natural cycles”. “Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome and too many eggs.” “Egg donation”. “Cancer and IVF”. He said that “the causes of infertility are 30% due to causes related to the woman, 30% to causes related to the man and the rest 40% is unknown”.
Causes for the woman:
Causes for the man:
In short, the basic tests that need to be done first are:
In Greece, the first IVF took place on January 20, 1982, in Stella Iordanidou, who gave birth to Christina Iordanidou by caesarean section. Christina Iordanidou was the 13th test-tube baby worldwide and was born in the presence of Dr. Steptoe, who had performed the first IVF in England.