	Hormonal medication	Surgery
Timing	To counteract discomfort, some hormone medications can be administered via injection or orally to reduce symptom severity, such as oral contraceptives, progestin preparations, gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists, and general pain relievers.	If there is a negative reaction to medication, or obvious lesions found like endometrioma (chocolate cysts), surgery may be recommended

Criteria	Taoyuan	Hsinchu
Subsidy Services	AMH blood test, egg freezing treatment	AMH blood test	Egg freezing treatment
Age Range	Women aged 25 to 40	Women aged 25 to 40 (including new resident spouses)
Registration	Household registration of patient or spouse in Taoyuan	Household registration in Hsinchu	Household registration in Hsinchu for 1 year
Special conditions/ restrictions	Spouses who are registered residents of Taoyuan but have not yet obtained a Republic of China (Taiwan) identity card are also eligible to apply. Females under 25 years old who have cancer and are assessed by a doctor to be infertile due to the cancer or its treatment (eligible once in a lifetime). Those who have undergone an egg-freezing procedure and meet the subsidy criteria but are unable to obtain eggs due to physical reasons are still eligible for the subsidy (eligible once in a lifetime).	-	Doctors at artificial reproductive medical institutions contracted by Hsinchu will evaluate fertility, who will be able to undergo egg-freezing procedures.

	Taoyuan	Hsinchu
Subsidy Services	AMH blood tests done during egg freezing treatment will receive NT$1,000 per case. A subsidy of NT$10,000 is provided for the first year as an egg-freezing nutrition fund; in the subsequent two years, a subsidy of NT$6,000 is provided for storage-related expenses. Each case will receive a subsidy of up to NT$22,000.	AMH blood tests done during egg freezing treatment will receive NT$1,000 per case. (once per year/person) Egg-freezing treatment will receive NT$20,000 (once in a lifetime) Storage fee subsidy can receive up to NT$2,000 per year for 5 years
Start Date	January 1st, 2024 to December 31st, 2024, or until funds are exhausted	February 1st, 2024
Institution	Clinics in cooperation with ART institutions approved by Taoyuan’s Department of Public Health	Clinics in cooperation with Hsinchu

	AMH Blood Test Subsidy	Egg Freezing Subsidy
Required documents	Affidavit A copy of the applicant's ID front and back. If the applicant is not registered in the city, a copy of the spouse's ID front and back must also be provided.	Affidavit and consent form A copy of the applicant's ID front and back. If the applicant is not registered in the city, a copy of the spouse's ID front and back must also be provided. A front and back copy of the applicant’s bank account book Proof of statement (provided by clinic) Medical itemized receipt (provided by clinic)

Common Causes	Explanation
Influence of external environment and living habits	Air pollution, plasticizers, smoking, prolonged stress, or irregular work schedule, etc.
Abnormalities in their chromosome or gene	A common chromosomal problem is Turner Syndrome; a common genetic problem is Fragile X Syndrome.
Ovarian inflammation	Functional disruption due to autoimmune or bacterial attack
Affected by treatment of other diseases	E.g. surgical effects, chemotherapy, and electrotherapy injuries

Value	Meaning
＞2	Normal follicular stock
1～2	Decreased follicle count
＜1	Follicle count almost depleted

	IUI	IVF
AKA	Also known as Intrauterine Insemination, or IUI	In Vitro Fertilization, or IVF
Procedure	With the laboratory's assistance, the husband's semen is washed to select sperm with good motility and normal morphology, which are then concentrated in 0.5 ml of culture medium. After washing, the selected sperm is directly injected into the uterine cavity during the wife's ovulation period through a catheter, allowing the sperm to naturally fertilize the egg, achieving the goal of conception.	Embryologists will guide the performance of in vitro fertilization and cultured embryos. The embryos are cultured in the lab for 3 to 5 days until they develop, after which they are transferred back into the mother's uterine cavity, preparing for implantation and pregnancy.
Pregnancy Success Rates	Percentage lower than that of IVF	Higher in percentage
Gov’t Subsidies	None	Yes

	Before Expanded Subsidy	After Expanded Subsidy
Prospects	Low and low-middle income households with infertility	In All households with infertility, the wife would be less than 45 years of age
Subsidy Amount	Maximum NT$150K per year	Low and low-middle-income households’ maximum subsidy each time is NT$150k. Regular households’ maximum subsidy for the first time is NT$100k, and the return application for subsidy is a maximum of NT$60k.
Number of Subsidies	Once per year	Under 40 yrs old: 6 subsidies max each pregnancy 40-44 yrs old: 3 subsidies max each pregnancy
Number of Cooperating Reproductive Organizations	20 clinics	100 clinics （Data according to the HPA since March 5th, 2024)
How to Apply	Apply with self-provided infertility diagnosis documents	Applied online by reproductive institution

	Egg Retrieval without Implantation	Only Embryo Implantation	Egg Retrieval with Embryo Implantation
First Application	NT$70k	NT$30	NT$100k
Return Application	NT$40k	NT$20	NT$60k

	Flexible	Rigid
Purpose	For diagnostic purposes, no anesthesia or hospitalization is required. After confirming the location of the lesion, the subsequent treatment plan is discussed with the physician.	Has both diagnostic and treatment purposes, and requires anesthesia, utilizing hysteroscopy for both examination and direct treatment.
Lens Size	Around 3mm	Around 8mm
Indications	Abnormal bleeding, infertility, recurrent miscarriage	Polyps, intracavitary fibroids, intracavitary adhesions, or uterine septum.
Procedure	A smaller scope is used to enter the uterine cavity. During the examination, the cervix is dilated, and blood or mucus is flushed out. The physician may introduce a small amount of fluid, which may cause mild abdominal discomfort or bloating. Discharge, slight bleeding, or mild discomfort is considered normal.	Hysteroscopy enters the uterine cavity through the vagina and can directly treat lesions within the uterine cavity. Mild abdominal discomfort and slight vaginal bleeding in the days following the procedure are normal.
Timing	Once the menstrual cycle is finished

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Your Best Guide to Understanding Endometriosis
Endometriosis is a common gynecological problem in fertility centers, and among women who are diagnosed with infertility, endometriosis covers more than 50% of cases. But what is endometriosis exactly? What are the common signs and symptoms? How should it be treated and cared for? NUWA Fertility is here to answer all your questions!

What is Endometriosis?
When uterine endometrial tissue grows outside the uterine cavity, it is termed "endometriosis." This condition can spread throughout the pelvic area and may manifest differently depending on its location. When endometrial tissue grows on the ovaries, it forms chocolate cysts, also known as "endometriomas." If the endometrial tissue infiltrates the muscular layer of the uterus, it's referred to as "adenomyosis."

7 Common Symptoms

Why does endometriosis cause pain? In a normal position, the endometrial cells of the uterus grow, bleed, and shed every month, which is called menstruation. However, when endometrial cells migrate to other tissues or organs, they continue to grow and bleed monthly, but since they cannot shed, that leads to tissue swelling and pain. Additionally, women with endometriosis often experience the following symptoms:
Menstrual pain
Abdominal pain
Pelvic pain
Pain urinating or defecating
Pain during intercourse
Heavy menstrual bleeding
Infertility
4 Main Causes
Some of the most common causes of endometriosis are:

1. Reflux of menstrual blood
In a normal situation, during a menstrual cycle, the menstrual blood flows out of the physical body from the uterine cavity to the transvaginal canal. But if there’s a reflux of menstrual blood, the endometrial tissue flows backward and reaches the ovaries or abdominal cavity. Once these tissues stay and grow, they will form endometriosis.

2. Blood & lymphatic vessels transport endometrial tissue
Tissues that are supposed to be in the uterine cavity are carried to other parts of the body through blood and lymphatic fluid.

3. Genetic factors
In clinical research, if there are family members who are diagnosed with endometriosis, it is also possible for future generations to have endometriosis.

4. Abnormal immune response
Under normal functioning of the immune system, periodically shedding endometrial cells are cleared away. However, if there is an immune system dysfunction, abnormal endometrial cells may not be recognized or eliminated, leading to their survival in areas such as the pelvic cavity and ovaries.

Who’s at Risk for Endometriosis?
It’s highly recommended to pay extra attention if you belong to one of these high-risk groups!
🚨 20～40 years old women
🚨 Those whose mother or sister has endometriosis
🚨 Infertility

Checking for Endometriosis
It's usually recommended to take these 3 examinations to determine if you have endometriosis.

1. Internal examination
The doctor will place both hands on the uterus to observe symptoms of pain.

2. Imaging examination
Common methods include ultrasound examinations to observe for any structural abnormalities in the uterus and ovaries. Although endometriosis may not always involve structural issues, the presence of conditions like endometriosis or adenomyosis during examination may indicate possible endometriosis problems.

3. Blood test
In blood tests, CA-125 (also known as the ovarian cancer index) is commonly used to screen for women's diseases, with a normal reference value falling below 35 U/ml.
If CA-125 levels exceed 35 U/ml in premenopausal women, it is often associated with benign gynecological conditions such as endometriosis, adenomyosis, or uterine fibroids. Typically, further ultrasound examinations are arranged by physicians to confirm the cause. However, it is important to note that CA-125 levels may also exceed the normal range if blood is drawn during menstruation. Therefore, it is best to wait at least 2 days after menstruation has ended before undergoing blood tests for a more accurate assessment.

Will It Affect Your Fertility?
NUWA Fertility Center doctors want to remind us that different treatments and procedures are judged by the severity of symptoms of endometriosis. If it is severe, it is recommended to evaluate your fertility plans before going into treatment.

If single women are planning for their future fertility, it is recommended to consider egg freezing to preserve their fertility options. For married women, it is also recommended to consider IVF or IUI treatments. The doctor will determine whether or not surgery or medication treatments are needed depending on the patient.

Extended Reading:
Age Limit for Egg Freezing? Egg Freezing Conditions, Process, and Costs
IUI Process, Prices, and Success Rates Explained: Differences Between IUI and IVF
IVF Process Explained: How Much Does It Cost? What’s the Success Rate?

Treatment Options for Endometriosis
Generally speaking, endometriosis can be treated in 2 ways:

Hormonal medication Surgery

Timing To counteract discomfort, some hormone medications can be administered via injection or orally to reduce symptom severity, such as oral contraceptives, progestin preparations, gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists, and general pain relievers. If there is a negative reaction to medication, or obvious lesions found like endometrioma (chocolate cysts), surgery may be recommended

⚠️ NUWA Fertility reminder: please follow your doctor’s advice when taking medication.

5 Everyday Self-Care Tips
If there are signs that point to endometriosis, it is recommended to alter and change daily lifestyle habits that can improve and maintain the health of your body, so that any future opportunities for fertility can be preserved!

✅ Diet control
Reduce consumption of high-fat or raw foods, and consume more fish that contains omega-3 fatty acids (salmon, mackerel, saury), magnesium-rich foods (bananas, avocados, nuts), and natural fruits and vegetables (dark, leafy greens are recommended).

✅ Maintain exercise and good stress management habits
Develop and maintain good exercise, and get adequate rest. Adequate rest is also important to not overstress the body.

✅ Avoid environmental hormones
Common environmental hormones include plasticizers, preservatives, heavy metals, bisphenol A, etc. It is best to avoid using heavily scented cosmetics, skincare products, or household items, and to minimize the use of plastic products and consuming food with unclear labeling.

✅ Abstain from intercourse during the menstrual cycle
Engaging in sexual activity during menstruation may cause menstrual blood to flow backward into the pelvic cavity. Additionally, female orgasms can trigger uterine contractions, which may accelerate the movement of menstrual blood. Therefore, it is advisable to avoid sexual activity during menstruation.

✅ Routine checkups
It is recommended to do annual checkups for your uterus and ovaries, and track your CA-125 levels to seek professional help as soon as possible!

If women between 30 - 40 years old are diagnosed with endometriosis, the most common symptom is infertility. Compared to cases where there are no symptoms of endometriosis, those who are diagnosed with it take a lot longer on their fertility and pregnancy plans. Therefore, NUWA Fertility Center gently advises: that if you are preparing for pregnancy and also have endometriosis, it is recommended that you make an appointment for infertility and related tests, to help your journey to be as smooth as possible! 👉Make an appointment online

Author's Information
NUWA Fertility Center
With many infertility experts and more than 10,000 doctors with successful IVF experience, the company has 5 clinics, including 3 high-specification IVF reproduction centers, 2 TCM centers, and 3 international embryo laboratories, which are located in Taipei, Taoyuan, and Taichung.

Main Services: Infertility treatment, IVF, artificial insemination, egg freezing, egg borrowing, and pregnancy preparation. In 2021, NUWA Healthcare will formally cooperate with Dianthus Medical Group to provide one-stop integrated services from preparation, pregnancy, labor, and postpartum care, which will bring the greatest convenience to the patients.👉Learn more about NUWA Healthcare

2024.08.16
Fertility Resources
2024 Egg Freezing Subsidy Program
Are there government subsidies for egg freezing? The 2021 IVF Subsidy didn’t include egg-freezing options, but that doesn’t mean the costs have to be out-of-pocket. Some cities are planning egg freezing programs, including Taoyuan and Hsinchu with a head start in implementing the programs back in 2023. Let’s dive in and understand how this works!

Am I Eligible for This Subsidy?
Delaying marriage and childbirth is becoming more and more prominent in today’s society, and women have started taking action to preserve their fertility by freezing their eggs. The subsidy is to assist women in decreasing their financial burdens in terms of egg freezing and to assist those who are currently planning their future families. Who is eligible to apply though? The graph below shows Taoyuan and Hsinchu’s criteria for applying for the subsidy.

Criteria Taoyuan Hsinchu

Subsidy Services AMH blood test, egg freezing treatment AMH blood test Egg freezing treatment
Age Range Women aged 25 to 40 Women aged 25 to 40
(including new resident spouses)
Registration Household registration of patient or spouse in Taoyuan Household registration in Hsinchu Household registration in Hsinchu for 1 year
Special conditions/
restrictions Spouses who are registered residents of Taoyuan but have not yet obtained a Republic of China (Taiwan) identity card are also eligible to apply.
Females under 25 years old who have cancer and are assessed by a doctor to be infertile due to the cancer or its treatment (eligible once in a lifetime).
Those who have undergone an egg-freezing procedure and meet the subsidy criteria but are unable to obtain eggs due to physical reasons are still eligible for the subsidy (eligible once in a lifetime). -
Doctors at artificial reproductive medical institutions contracted by Hsinchu will evaluate fertility, who will be able to undergo egg-freezing procedures.

Subsidy Services & Quota
How much does the subsidy cover? What are the services covered? Taoyuan’s Department of Public Health has explained this here. Subsidy items can be categorized into 2:

1. Egg-freezing nutrition fund & storage fee
A subsidy of NT$10,000 is provided for the first year as an egg-freezing nutrition fund; in the subsequent two years (the second and third), a subsidy of NT$6,000 is provided for storage-related expenses. Each case will receive a subsidy of up to NT$22,000.

2. AMH blood test
Starting in 2024, AMH blood tests done during egg-freezing treatment will receive NT$1,000 per case.

Subsidy Comparison
As stated above, only Taoyuan and Hsinchu have implemented the subsidy program so far, Taipei, New Taipei, Taichung, and other cities are still currently planning for the program most suitable to each demographic. The graph below states the two city’s detailed programs:

Taoyuan Hsinchu

Subsidy Services AMH blood tests done during egg freezing treatment will receive NT$1,000 per case.
A subsidy of NT$10,000 is provided for the first year as an egg-freezing nutrition fund; in the subsequent two years, a subsidy of NT$6,000 is provided for storage-related expenses. Each case will receive a subsidy of up to NT$22,000. AMH blood tests done during egg freezing treatment will receive NT$1,000 per case. (once per year/person)
Egg-freezing treatment will receive NT$20,000 (once in a lifetime)
Storage fee subsidy can receive up to NT$2,000 per year for 5 years
Start Date January 1st, 2024 to December 31st, 2024, or until funds are exhausted February 1st, 2024
Institution Clinics in cooperation with ART institutions approved by Taoyuan’s Department of Public Health Clinics in cooperation with Hsinchu

Egg Freezing Application: 4 Steps
How to file for the application though? Different cities and clinics may have different procedures, so for reference, let’s take a look at how NUWA Taoyuan assisted in filing for the subsidy previously.

STEP 1. An appointed specialist from the institution will assist you in applying for the subsidy
To be eligible for the subsidy, the reproductive institution must be in cooperation with the county and municipal government. NUWA Taoyuan is one of those reproductive institutions.

STEP 2. Documents preparation
Those applying will need to provide the following documents:

AMH Blood Test Subsidy Egg Freezing Subsidy

Required documents Affidavit
A copy of the applicant's ID front and back. If the applicant is not registered in the city, a copy of the spouse's ID front and back must also be provided. Affidavit and consent form
A copy of the applicant's ID front and back. If the applicant is not registered in the city, a copy of the spouse's ID front and back must also be provided.
A front and back copy of the applicant’s bank account book
Proof of statement (provided by clinic)
Medical itemized receipt (provided by clinic)

STEP 3. Begin treatment
The AMH blood test and egg-freezing treatment will be carried out by the procedures of the artificial reproduction institution.

STEP 4. An appointed specialist from the institution will assist you in applying for the subsidy
The institution will apply for the subsidy at Taoyuan’s Department of Women and Children Development, and upon approval, the subsidy fee will automatically be dispersed to the applicant’s account.

Egg Freezing Subsidy Notice
Finally, even though the subsidy program can decrease many women's and couples’ financial burdens, it is still recommended to double-check the criteria and eligibility of the program!

Confirm whether you’re eligible according to the criteria
If you’ve applied for the IVF Subsidy at the same time, the fee for the AMH blood test and egg retrieval will not be duplicated in that year.

Extended Reading: 2024 IVF Subsidy for Infertility Treatment Qualifications, Prospects, and Procedure

It is more common for this generation to step into marriage later and later, and egg freezing has become one of the biggest concerns of modern-day women. It is best to understand all aspects of the treatment and the program, to better prepare for your fertility planning. If there are any questions or concerns regarding egg freezing, you are most welcome to register online for an appointment, NUWA is here to help you each step of the way!

(Article about Taoyuan’s Department of Public Health, and Hsinchu’s Egg Freezing Subsidy)

Author's Information
NUWA Fertility Center
With many infertility experts and more than 10,000 doctors with successful IVF experience, the company has 5 clinics, including 3 high-specification IVF reproduction centers, 2 TCM centers, and 3 international embryo laboratories, which are located in Taipei, Taoyuan, and Taichung.

Main Services: Infertility treatment, IVF, artificial insemination, egg freezing, egg borrowing, and pregnancy preparation. In 2021, NUWA Healthcare formally cooperated with Dianthus Medical Group to provide one-stop integrated services for preparation, pregnancy, labor, and postpartum care, which will bring the greatest convenience to the patients. 👉 Learn more about NUWA Healthcare

2024.08.16
Fertility Resources
6 Game-Changing Factors for IVF Success!
Are IVF success rates high? Is it harder to succeed as you get older? IVF treatments require a certain amount of cost and are an exhausting journey for women. It is only natural to wonder about IVF’s success rate. Generally speaking, IVF preparation starts with egg quality, the uterine environment, and embryo quality. Many women undergo pregnancy preparation (or conditioning) before IVF treatments to increase success rates. Let’s dive in and see what else matters!

6 Key Factors Impacting IVF Success
Generally speaking, the success rates of IVF depend on the following factors:
Quality of sperm & eggs
Uterine environment
Embryo quality
Age
Medical teams’ skill sets
Medical facility equipment
The above criteria can be further classified into “personal physical state” and “clinic quality,” and among them, “age” can more easily affect other physical conditions.

Does It Have Anything To Do With Age?
Does age itself impact IVF success rates that much? According to the HPA’s Assisted Reproductive Technology Summary 2021 National Report of Taiwan, the success rates for ART treatments start to decrease with age for women over 34. However, everyone’s condition and physical state differ and vary, so the actual situation may be different for everyone.

Words of Wisdom From Our Doctors
What are the best ways to increase IVF success rates? The below recommendations for mothers-to-be are from doctors at NUWA, hoping you are fully prepared!

1. Get enough rest
Your physical and mental health is crucial to a healthy pregnancy, so it is often said to take care of yourself first and get enough rest. You can watch TV, lie down, take a nap, or simply do nothing. As long as you’re in a good mood, that’s more than enough!

2. Maintain a nutritious diet
Maintain a nutritious and balanced diet with suitable supplements like folic acid and vitamins for your body.

3. Remember your check-ups
Remember to go to your appointments regularly, and take your medications as recommended by your doctor. If any discomfort arises, please also let your doctor know as soon as possible, and refrain from stopping or changing your medication.

4. Avoid high-stress exercises and environments
It’s best to avoid going to saunas, hot yoga, or any exercises that are in high temperature. Rigorous exercises should also be avoided, and focus on low-impact exercises.

5. No plastics!
Plasticizers are a form of environmental hormones, and according to the Health Promotion Administration of the Ministry of Health and Welfare, they could have a huge negative impact on mothers and children and should be avoided at all costs.

6. Avoid sex temporarily
As embryos are still unstable at the beginning of the pregnancy, it might be a good idea to refrain from sexual intercourse in the meantime. Once the embryo has stabled enough, go wild!

NUWA’s Your #1 Choice for IVF
Aside from taking care of yourself, the medical team and its equipment are also imperative to IVF success. NUWA Fertility Center is a top choice among many for IVF treatment due to our incredible reproductive experts and technology.

🌟 International-grade Lab
The embryo laboratory at NUWA not only uses higher-specification equipment compared to most fertility centers but also maintains an international standard environment. Factors such as gas levels, temperature, humidity, and conditions inside the incubators are monitored 24 hours a day. If any values indicate an issue, the embryologists are immediately notified to address it, ensuring the careful protection of each embryo.

🌟 Personal Embryologist
Every embryo is paired with its own embryologist, and under their rich experiences and constant care, they’re able to focus on every detail that goes on in the laboratory.

🌟 Timelapse Incubator System
All embryos utilize the Timelapse Incubator System, the system takes a record every 10 minutes to allow embryologists to accurately grasp their stage in development. Additionally, there’s also an "AI Intelligent Embryo Selection System'' alongside manual embryo screening. This dual selection process ensures optimal embryo development, allowing seamless collaboration between technology and physicians for precise embryo selection.

🌟 Precise PGS Biopsies
After selecting high-quality embryos, the embryologists perform PGS biopsies for testing. Although PGS is quite common nowadays, achieving precise biopsies without harming the embryos heavily relies on the embryologists' experience. At NUWA, all embryologists have over 15 years of experience and utilize advanced laser systems. This allows them to accurately perform biopsies without damaging the embryos. The combined expertise of professional fertility doctors and experienced embryologists, along with advanced equipment, helps increase your chances of a successful pregnancy.

Extended reading: What is PGS (PGT-A)? A Complete Breakdown

FAQs
Q1: What has a higher percentage of success? IVF or IUI?
In IUI, the lab processes the semen to retain only the motile sperm, which is then injected into the uterine cavity to fertilize the egg and implant in the uterus. The success rate for this procedure is typically around 10% to 15%. On the contrary, IVF involves embryologists creating embryos in the lab and then transferring the best-quality embryos into the uterus. This method generally has a higher success rate compared to IUI, as the embryos are already developed before implantation.

However, the actual situation depends on each patient’s physical state and condition, you should always consult your doctor before starting any treatment!

Q2: Is it true that the more embryos implanted the higher the success rate?
According to a guideline published by the Taiwanese Society for Reproductive Medicine, it is recommended to insert a different number of embryos for women at different ages. The number of embryos implanted and the age of the woman is directly correlated, and the success rate will depend on each person’s condition. It is best to consult your doctor first.

If you’re interested in understanding more about IVF and the treatment’s success rate, you are welcome to book a consultation with our doctors at NUWA Fertility Center! 👉 Register online

2024.08.14
Fertility Resources
Understanding Premature Ovarian Failure
Does premature ovarian failure affect pregnancy? How should I take care of myself? There are two cases of premature ovarian failure at NUWA that we would like to share with you: one patient had regular menstruation and normal menstrual flow, but she was found to have premature ovarian failure when she was trying to get pregnant. The other patient was under 30 years old, but her menstrual flow was irregular, and she was found to have entered menopause at an early age. What caused both patients to have premature ovarian failure? Today, let's talk about the causes of premature ovarian failure and the various common problems.

What is Premature Ovarian Failure? 4 Common Causes
Generally speaking, the average time for a woman to stop menstruating is around 50 years old. If a woman enters menopause before the age of 40, the phenomenon of recession is Premature Ovarian Insufficiency (POI). There are many possible causes of premature ovarian insufficiency (POI), including the following:

Common Causes Explanation

Influence of external environment and living habits Air pollution, plasticizers, smoking, prolonged stress, or irregular work schedule, etc.
Abnormalities in their chromosome or gene A common chromosomal problem is Turner Syndrome; a common genetic problem is Fragile X Syndrome.
Ovarian inflammation Functional disruption due to autoimmune or bacterial attack
Affected by treatment of other diseases E.g. surgical effects, chemotherapy, and electrotherapy injuries

High-Risk Groups of Premature Ovarian Failure
Some people may ask, "What are the symptoms of poor ovarian function or premature ovarian failure? " But unfortunately, premature ovarian failure does not show any symptoms in the early stages and most people do not find out until they go in for a checkup for irregular menstruation. Usually, by this time, there is little ovarian function left. However, it is worth noting that it usually takes about 5 years for ovarian function to "begin" to decline until it "really" fails, so if you belong to the following groups, you should pay more attention to your condition in advance.

➜ Family history (mom and sister stopped menstruating early)
➜ Tumor in the ovary that requires surgery
➜ Expected to receive chemotherapy or pelvic radiation therapy
➜ Prolonged exposure to high-pressure environments or an irregular lifestyle

2 Major Premature Ovarian Function Tests
From the above explanation, it can be seen that premature ovarian failure does not have obvious precursors or symptoms. Apart from paying attention to one's condition, one can also consider undergoing an ovarian function test if there is a need to prepare for pregnancy. At present, there are two main types of assessment programs:

1. Blood Tests: Anti-Mullerian Tube Hormones（AMH）
It is a self-funded test that can be performed regardless of the time of the menstrual cycle, and numerically quantifies the stock of eggs; in short, the more follicles there are, the higher the AMH value will be.

Value Meaning

＞2 Normal follicular stock
1～2 Decreased follicle count
＜1 Follicle count almost depleted

2. Ultrasonic Evaluation - Number of ovarian basal follicles (AFC)
The number of small follicles >2mm in the ovaries can be checked during an ultrasound to estimate the number of eggs in the ovarian reservoir, and about 7-8 eggs in one ovary are considered normal. However, it should be noted that transvaginal ultrasound is usually more accurate, and the experience of the doctor or technician may affect the number of eggs.

Your #1 Priority: Your Health If Diagnosed With Premature Ovarian Failure
What should we do if we find that we have premature ovarian failure? You should start by changing your lifestyle habits.
Adjusting your daily routine
Adjusting your daily routine, regular exercise, and balanced diet will lay the foundation for your body to take care of itself from the "inside."
Early planning and egg-freezing
If you have not yet given birth, you are advised to advance your fertility planning or even freeze your eggs in advance to avoid having no eggs available in the future.

Extended reading: Is there an age limit for egg freezing? Detailed information on the conditions, process, cost, and FAQs of egg freezing.

Premature Ovarian Failure FAQs
Q1: Can premature ovarian failure be cured?
Premature ovarian failure can only be "slowed down" and there is no way to recover from it. However, the use of Chinese and Western medicine and lifestyle modifications, such as adequate sleep, regular exercise, a normal work schedule, reducing the consumption of processed foods, and staying away from air pollution and chemical toxins, can help minimize the rapid decline of ovarian function.

Women who have been found to have premature ovarian failure are advised to have children earlier; however, if they have other plans or have not yet met a partner, it is recommended that they plan to freeze their eggs to provide them with options for future fertility.

Q2: Is there a chance of conceiving naturally with premature ovarian failure?
As long as ovulation is confirmed, there is still a chance that pregnancy can occur naturally with premature ovarian failure. At NUWA TCM Center, there are many success stories of pregnancy through Chinese medicine, as well as cases of successful pregnancies through a combination of Chinese and Western medicine in IVF.

Q3: Can premature ovarian failure lead to early menopause?
Premature ovarian failure also means a decline in fertility, and because of hormonal changes in women, various menopausal symptoms begin to appear, such as hot flashes and night sweats, anxiety, dry skin, loss of elasticity, sagging and looseness of the breasts, and hips, and can also be accompanied by severe dryness of the vagina and other problems.

Premature Ovarian Failure Story

Ms. H, who is over 35 years old and has premature ovarian failure with an AMH of 0.5, came to NUWA Fertility Center. Since her first egg retrieval was not very good, Dr. Chi Chun Liao asked Ms. H to go to the NUWA TCM Center for physical conditioning, and Dr. Li Ling Shen helped Ms. H with her physical conditioning for 3 months.

After physical conditioning, a good-grade BB blastocyst was successfully cultured. Even though it was a low-grade inlay, the embryo was completely unrecognizable passed the genetic test, and turned out to be twins! In the end, the twins were born safe and sound! It has inspired many future moms who want to give birth to children with premature ovarian failure💕.

Although it is still difficult to fully recover from premature ovarian failure, through proper management and the doctor's planning, there is still a chance for you to conceive! Therefore, if you are worried about your condition, you can visit NUWA Fertility Center for a detailed examination, so that we can assist you in adjusting your health and provide you with a suitable fertility plan.

Author's Information
NUWA Fertility Center, Dr. Chi Chun Liao, Medical Director of Reproductive Medicine

ADMINISTRATIVE APPOINTMENTS:
Director of Reproductive Medicine Center, Taipei Medical University-Shuang Ho Hospital, Ministry of Health and Welfare
Physician of Reproductive Medicine, MacKay Memorial Hospital
EDUCATION:
School of Medicine, National Defense Medical Center
SPECIALTY:
Infertility / Frozen Embryos, Frozen Eggs, Frozen Sperm / In Vitro Fertilization / Artificial Insemination / Follicle Monitoring / Reproductive Endocrinology / Endoscopy / Laparoscopy / Polycystic Ovaries / Endometriosis / Uterine Fibroids

👉 Find out more about NUWA Healthcare

2024.08.14
Fertility Resources
IUI (Intrauterine Insemination) 101
More and more couples are realizing it’s not as easy to get pregnant as they’ve thought, and have long considered seeking professional help from fertility doctors. However, there’s a lot to digest and terms are hard to understand. What exactly are Intrauterine insemination (IUI) and in vitro fertilization (IVF)? Let's find out the treatment best suited for you with NUWA, and allow us to explain the differences between IUI and IVF!

IUI v.s IVF
What’s the difference between IUI and IVF? Treatments in artificial reproduction vary from person to person, and will also influence pregnancy success rates. To clear things up a bit, let’s dive into the more prominent differences between the two.

IUI IVF

AKA Also known as Intrauterine Insemination, or IUI In Vitro Fertilization, or IVF
Procedure With the laboratory's assistance, the husband's semen is washed to select sperm with good motility and normal morphology, which are then concentrated in 0.5 ml of culture medium. After washing, the selected sperm is directly injected into the uterine cavity during the wife's ovulation period through a catheter, allowing the sperm to naturally fertilize the egg, achieving the goal of conception. Embryologists will guide the performance of in vitro fertilization and cultured embryos. The embryos are cultured in the lab for 3 to 5 days until they develop, after which they are transferred back into the mother's uterine cavity, preparing for implantation and pregnancy.
Pregnancy Success Rates Percentage lower than that of IVF Higher in percentage
Gov’t Subsidies None Yes


Who’s Suitable for IUI?
Generally speaking, if you meet the following criteria, it is recommended that you seek professional advice.

✅ Infertility
✅ Sexual dysfunction
✅ Autoimmune diseases
✅ Low sperm count or motility
✅ Abnormal cervical mucus
✅ Mild ovulatory dysfunction, or endometriosis

Extended Reading: How do you define “infertility?” What are some basic tests for it?

8-Step Process
There are 8 steps for IUI treatment at NUWA Fertility:

Step 1: Before IUI treatment
Make an appointment with NUWA Fertility Center for a consultation with the doctor about the best treatment plan for you.

Step 2: Day 2 - 4 of menstrual cycle
Begin treatment with a blood test and an ultrasound check, with the doctor’s instructions on taking medications and injections.

Step 3: Day 5 - 7 of the menstrual cycle
Start inducing ovulation, must continue to follow the doctor’s instructions on taking medications and injections.

Step 4: Day 8 - 11 of the menstrual cycle
Return to NUWA for an ultrasound, and observe the maturity of the follicles.

Step 5: Day 11 - 12 of menstrual cycle
Inject ovulation trigger shot 34-36 hours before insemination.

Step 6: Day 11 - 14 of the menstrual cycle
Retrieve sperm the day of, and implant the washed sperm into the uterus cavity.

Step 7: Day 14 - 28 of the menstrual cycle
Take progesterone as recommended by the doctor.

Step 8: Day 28 - 30 of the menstrual cycle
Return to the clinic for a pregnancy test after a regular 28-30 day cycle!

Pregnancy Success Rate of IUI
The pregnancy success rate of IUI is about 15-20%, and factors affecting the success rate can also be due to the sperm’s motility, quantity, and morphology, as well as the egg’s quantity, quality, and implantation environment. The likelihood of success decreases with fewer eggs or reduced sperm motility. In comparison, the success rate of IVF is significantly higher, due to manual insemination, and the careful observation of the embryo’s growth in a controlled lab environment.

Most importantly, whether or not you decide on IUI or IVF, it is best to discuss the best options with your doctor before proceeding with the treatment, to reduce the disparity in understanding between the spouses regarding the treatment.

IUI Procedures Requirements:
Before making a decision, are there restrictions for IUI? What are some things to be paid attention to? Before undergoing treatment for IUI, please go through the below criteria:

Meeting these criteria
To undergo IUI, patients need to be a heterosexual couple, and must meet the below criteria:
Legally married couples
Viable uterus to successfully give birth
At least one spouse has healthy and normal sperm and eggs
Either spouse is diagnosed with infertility or has a hereditary disease
Deemed suitable for IUI by a medical institution
Choose a government-accredited organization
Since the source of gametes for artificial insemination and the method of pregnancy and childbirth are no different from natural reproduction, they are not regulated by the Artificial Reproduction Act. However, it should be noted that there are still penalties for those who violate regulations regarding the selection of embryo gender. Therefore, please be sure to choose obstetrics and gynecology clinics licensed by the competent government authority.

👉 National Health Department Artificial Reproduction Institution Licensed List

Getting Help: Costs & Subsidies
The cost of intrauterine insemination (IUI) starts from NT$15,000, but the actual cost of it varies from each person’s medication and physical condition without government subsidy. On the other hand, the cost of IVF treatments is roughly between NT$150,000 to NT$180,000, not including medication.

The majority of couples undergoing IUI or IVF have endured a challenging journey of trying to conceive naturally without success before seeking professional help. As a result, their expectations for a successful pregnancy are quite high. It is recommended that they thoroughly consult with their doctor regarding timing and costs, to choose the best treatment suitable for them.

Extended Reading: 2024 Infertility IVF Subsidy Program Qualifications, Requirements, and Process All-In-One!

Q＆A
Q1: Do I need to lie down after IUI treatment? For how long?
As described in the process, semen retrieval will be scheduled on the day of the procedure. After the lab washes the semen to select sperm with good motility and normal morphology, the selected sperm will be implanted into the wife's uterus. Following implantation, there is no need for prolonged rest; after resting for 5 to 10 minutes, you can return home. Once home, maintain a normal lifestyle with a balanced diet, adequate sleep, and a positive mindset, and follow the doctor's instructions for medication.

Q2: After IUI, is it normal to have discharge?
After undergoing IUI, it is normal to experience a normal amount of discharge! Discharge is usually odorless and colorless, but you can consult your doctor if you have any questions.

Q3: When should I take a pregnancy test after IUI?
After a regular cycle of 28-30 days, you will be asked to return to the clinic for a pregnancy test. A more accurate time and date will be adjusted according to everyone’s physical state and it is recommended to follow your doctor’s instructions and recommendations.

Choose NUWA for your Fertility Plan!
Are you unsure of choosing the right medical institution for infertility treatments? We invite you to choose NUWA Fertility Center! Below are five things we do to help prospective parents leave this important task to us!

Chain of Reproductive Organizations
NUWA Healthcare has 3 high-quality IVF centers and 2 TCM centers in Taipei, Taoyuan, and Taichung, with a total of one hundred healthcare professionals providing comprehensive fertility treatments.

Expert Infertility Team
A crew of doctors with more than 10,000 successful in vitro fertilization procedures, including 15 reproductive medicine physicians, 5 Chinese medicine physicians, and 21 embryologists, stands as invaluable teammates for a successful pregnancy.

International-Grade Embryology Laboratory
We boast an international embryology lab, with an expert team of embryologists. Our well-rounded technology, team, and dedication are dedicated to enhancing pregnancy success rates!

Professional and Heartfelt Service
We prioritize each person's experience in the clinic and provide expecting parents with a sincere and trusting consultation, as well as a comfortable and private clinic environment.

Integrated Traditional Chinese Medicine and Western Medicine
NUWA Healthcare includes the NUWA Fertility Center and the NUWA TCM Center, where traditional Chinese and Western physicians work together to help you achieve your fertility goals.

For more information on IUI, please make an appointment online and consult with our doctors!

Author's Information
NUWA Fertility Center
With many infertility experts and more than 10,000 doctors with successful IVF experience, the company has 5 clinics, including 3 high-specification IVF reproduction centers, 3 international embryo laboratories, and 2 TCM centers, which are located in Taipei, Taoyuan, and Taichung.

Main Services: Infertility treatment, IVF, artificial insemination, egg freezing, egg borrowing, and pregnancy preparation. In 2021, NUWA Healthcare will formally cooperate with Dianthus Medical Group to provide one-stop integrated services for preparation, pregnancy, labor, and postpartum care, which will bring the greatest convenience for our patients. 👉Learn more about NUWA Healthcare

2024.08.12
Fertility Resources
2024 IVF Subsidy Program for Infertility Treatment
Planning for pregnancy is a beautiful, wonderful experience that many look forward to. However, your world comes crashing down if you’ve been diagnosed with infertility, especially if you have no idea what to do next. Don’t worry, as birth rates go down, the government has been pushing an “IVF Subsidy Program” directed at infertility treatments to cover partial costs. This is in hopes that couples who have been diagnosed with infertility can happily proceed to the next stage of their lives. Let NUWA explain how the program works!

Taking A Look at the Old & New Expanded Subsidy

According to government regulations, Taiwan’s Ministry of Health and Welfare began its IVF Subsidy for Infertility Treatment on July 1st, 2021, and has since expanded the program for married couples. The subsidy amount and quota have been adjusted accordingly:

Before Expanded Subsidy After Expanded Subsidy

Prospects Low and low-middle income households with infertility In All households with infertility, the wife would be less than 45 years of age
Subsidy Amount Maximum NT$150K per year Low and low-middle-income households’ maximum subsidy each time is NT$150k. Regular households’ maximum subsidy for the first time is NT$100k, and the return application for subsidy is a maximum of NT$60k.
Number of Subsidies Once per year Under 40 yrs old: 6 subsidies max each pregnancy
40-44 yrs old: 3 subsidies max each pregnancy
Number of Cooperating Reproductive Organizations 20 clinics 100 clinics
（Data according to the HPA since March 5th, 2024)
How to Apply Apply with self-provided infertility diagnosis documents Applied online by reproductive institution


For those who have already given birth via IVF, the number of subsidies for another child will be re-calculated according to the current age range of the woman. For example, if Ms. A applies for the subsidy when she is 39 years old, she can apply up to 6 times. If after a year she’s now 40 years old and wants to have a second child, the number of times she can apply is recalculated but will change to a maximum of 3 times.
Prospective Patients & Qualifications
IVF Subsidy Qualifications
One of the spouses must be of Taiwanese citizenship
The wife must be under 45 years old
Married couples who have been diagnosed with infertility at reproductive institutions, and would need to undergo IVF treatment.

Subsidy Amount Calculation
The maximum number of subsidies is 6 for women under 39 years of age, and the maximum number of subsidies is 3 for women between 40 and 44 years of age. Low-income and lower-middle-income households will receive a maximum subsidy of NT$150,000 per application. Generally infertile couples can receive a maximum subsidy of NT$100,000 for first-time applicants and NT$60,000 for second-time applicants. The subsidy amount will also vary depending on each couple’s treatment plan (if the treatment cost does not reach the subsidy limit, the actual expense will be subsidized.) The table below shows the subsidy amount for different categories:
Subsidy Amount Calculation
The maximum number of subsidies is 6 for women under 39 years of age, and the maximum number of subsidies is 3 for women between 40 and 44 years of age. Low-income and lower-middle-income households will receive a maximum subsidy of NT$150,000 per application. Generally infertile couples can receive a maximum subsidy of NT$100,000 for first-time applicants and NT$60,000 for second-time applicants. The subsidy amount will also vary depending on each couple’s treatment plan (if the treatment cost does not reach the subsidy limit, the actual expense will be subsidized.) The table below shows the subsidy amount for different categories:

Egg Retrieval without Implantation Only Embryo Implantation Egg Retrieval with Embryo Implantation

First Application NT$70k NT$30 NT$100k
Return Application NT$40k NT$20 NT$60k

For those who have already given birth via IVF, the number of subsidies for another child will be re-calculated according to the current age range of the woman. For example, if Ms. A applies for the subsidy when she is 39 years old, she can apply up to 6 times. If after a year she’s now 40 years old and wants to have a second child, the number of times she can apply is recalculated but will change to a maximum of 3 times.
4 Steps
How does the application for the program work? Below are 4 steps that will guide you to receiving the treatment and applying for the program.

STEP 1. Make an appointment at an official reproductive institution
Couples who are diagnosed with infertility would need to consult with a specialist from a reproductive institution from Taiwan’s HPA.

STEP 2. The institution will file your application online
After verifying that the couple is eligible for the subsidy, the institution will apply for you online.

STEP 3. Treatment must begin within a year of qualifying
Once the subsidy amount and qualifications are confirmed, couples must begin treatment within a year.

STEP 4. An appointed specialist from the institution will assist you in applying for the subsidy
Once the treatment is completed, institutions will apply online for the subsidy within 6 months. Once everything is verified, the subsidy amount will be directly wired to the recipient’s designated bank account.
Q&A
Q1: When will I receive the subsidy?
Once the application is completed, you will be able to receive the subsidy amount after a month. If you want to understand the details, you can check your status by entering the wife’s ID and your designated serial number through “IVF Subsidy Program Status Update.”

Q2: If I freeze my eggs before the program, and will need to thaw then inseminate the egg, how much will the subsidy amount be?
As this treatment only involves “implantation,” the subsidy will only cover the embryo implantation. For first-time applicants, the subsidy amount will be NT$30k; for return applicants, the subsidy amount will be NT$20k.

Q3: Is this subsidy program only applicable for the first pregnancy?
There’s no restriction as to being only applicable for the first pregnancy! As long as you qualify for the subsidy, you can apply.

Q4: What are some of the reproductive institutions the program works with?
As listed on Taiwan’s HPA’s website, 100 reproductive clinics are cooperating as of March 5th, 2024.

NUWA Fertility Center is a medical institution that focuses on women’s managed care. Offering a compassionate and empathetic all-female staff allows each woman to consult their doctors without inhibitions. NUWA provides a one-stop service to all, and with personal embryologists caring for every single embryo under the most advanced technology, our clinic aims to help every couple achieve their dreams of parenthood.

If you’re interested or have any questions regarding IVF treatments or the subsidy program, please fill out this consultation form, and our team members will get back to you as soon as possible! You are also more than welcome to come in for a consultation👉 Book Online

Author's Information
NUWA Fertility Center
With many infertility experts and more than 10,000 doctors with successful IVF experience, the company has 5 clinics, including 3 high-specification IVF reproduction centers, 2 TCM centers, and 3 international embryo laboratories, which are located in Taipei, Taoyuan, and Taichung.

Main Services: Infertility treatment, IVF, artificial insemination, egg freezing, egg borrowing, and pregnancy preparation. In 2021, NUWA Healthcare formally cooperated with Dianthus Medical Group to provide one-stop integrated services for preparation, pregnancy, labor, and postpartum care, which will bring the greatest convenience to the patients. 👉 Learn more about NUWA Healthcare
2024.08.01
Fertility Resources
Understanding Infertility: Taking Control
What should I do if I have infertility? What is the definition of “infertility”? You can find the answers by undergoing infertility examinations! According to The Ministry of Health and Welfare, 1 in every 7 couples has infertility in Taiwan, and that adds to the confusion and frustration on top of everything else. This article will clearly state the different infertility examinations for both men and women, as well as different costs and procedures. You’ll understand all the different terms and procedures by the end of this article!

The Definition of Infertility
Do you know the criteria for infertility? When should you seek medical help? Usually, infertility can be classified into 2 situations below:

➜ Younger than 35 years old
If you are younger than 35 years old and have still not gotten pregnant within a year of routine sexual intercourse without protection (2-3 times per week as routine), it will qualify as infertility.
➜ Older than 35 years old
If you are older than 35 years old and have still not gotten pregnant within 6 months of sexual intercourse without protection, it will qualify as infertility.

If you meet the above criteria and have fertility plans, it is recommended that you seek professional help from an infertility doctor as soon as possible.

Which Department Should I Go for Infertility Examinations?

If it is confirmed that you have infertility, which department or specialist should you go to? Once a couple realizes infertility might be in play, it is recommended to go to either an OBGYN (obstetrics and gynecology) or a reproductive medicine department for a professional evaluation and diagnosis. The doctor will evaluate the situation and recommend appropriate tests and examinations to find out the cause of the couple’s infertility.

Extended Reading: An Introduction to NUWA Fertility Center’s Reproductive Medicine Treatment

Infertility Examinations At A Glance
A lot of people think that being diagnosed with infertility is being completely unable to conceive. However, through infertility tests, doctors can pinpoint the exact reason for infertility, and proceed with treatments that can allow couples to successfully conceive. There are tests for both men and women, as seen below:

Female Infertility Examinations

✅ Blood test
Through blood tests, hormone levels are examined, including values for Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH), hormone tests (FSH, LH, E2), prolactin (PRL), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), testosterone, etc.

✅ Vaginal Ultrasound
Vaginal ultrasound involves scanning the uterus, cervix, ovaries, and other areas using a probe to obtain detailed images. Compared to abdominal ultrasound, vaginal ultrasound provides higher accuracy and can detect conditions such as uterine fibroids, endometrial polyps, endometriomas, and ovarian tumors that may affect infertility.

✅ Hysterosalpingogram (HSG)
Hysterosalpingography examines whether or not the fallopian tubes are patent, whether there is swelling or lesions, and also checks for any abnormalities, adhesions, or deformities in the uterus. However, there may be slight and temporary discomfort during the procedure (a mild, short-lived sensation of bloating or cramping in the lower abdomen).

✅ Hysteroscopy
Infertility may be caused by factors such as endometrial polyps, uterine adhesions, or bicornuate uterus, which can affect embryo implantation. Therefore, hysteroscopies can be used to assess the condition of the endometrium. Hysteroscopy can be either flexible or rigid:

Flexible Rigid

Purpose For diagnostic purposes, no anesthesia or hospitalization is required. After confirming the location of the lesion, the subsequent treatment plan is discussed with the physician.
Has both diagnostic and treatment purposes, and requires anesthesia, utilizing hysteroscopy for both examination and direct treatment.
Lens Size Around 3mm Around 8mm
Indications Abnormal bleeding, infertility, recurrent miscarriage Polyps, intracavitary fibroids, intracavitary adhesions, or uterine septum.
Procedure A smaller scope is used to enter the uterine cavity. During the examination, the cervix is dilated, and blood or mucus is flushed out. The physician may introduce a small amount of fluid, which may cause mild abdominal discomfort or bloating. Discharge, slight bleeding, or mild discomfort is considered normal. Hysteroscopy enters the uterine cavity through the vagina and can directly treat lesions within the uterine cavity. Mild abdominal discomfort and slight vaginal bleeding in the days following the procedure are normal.
Timing Once the menstrual cycle is finished

Male Infertility Examinations

Infertility examinations aren’t just for women, men can be diagnosed with infertility too. For example, not having enough sperm (Oligospermia) or Azoospermia. Therefore, it is also imperative to test for male infertility, but examinations are a lot easier, a simple “Semen Analysis” would suffice.

Through the examination of semen analysis, doctors will be able to evaluate the sperm quantity, morphology, concentration, motility, etc. to determine whether it meets the infertility criteria or not. Diagnoses can include Varicocele or primary spermatogenic dysfunction. Most importantly, one must abstain from ejaculation for 2-4 days before the semen analysis, to acquire sperm on the day of.

Extended Reading: What To Know About Hysteroscopy, Hysterosalpingogram, and Semen Analysis

Infertility Examination Costs
Infertility examination costs vary from person to person depending on the procedures needed, as well as different clinics’ charges. It is recommended to consult with your physician on the examinations first, then allow the doctor to evaluate your situation. We also gently remind everyone that finding the cause of infertility is important, there is the possibility for cause in both spouses, so it’s recommended that both spouses undergo examinations.

NUWA’s Here For You
If you’re looking for infertility examinations or clinics, we strongly recommend NUWA Fertility Center to help you with your fertility journey every step of the way. We want you to feel safe and comfortable with us, and to leave this honorable task to us!

👍 Expert Infertility Team
A crew of doctors with more than 10,000 successful in vitro fertilization procedures, including 15 reproductive medicine physicians, 5 Chinese medicine physicians, and 21 embryologists, stands as invaluable teammates for a successful pregnancy.

👍 Combined Traditional Chinese Medicine and Western Medicine
NUWA Healthcare includes the NUWA Fertility Center and the NUWA TCM Center, where traditional Chinese and Western physicians work together to help you achieve your fertility goals.

👍 International Embryology Laboratory
We boast an international embryology lab, with an expert team of embryologists. Our well-rounded technology, team, and dedication are dedicated to enhancing pregnancy success rates!

If you’ve thought about undergoing infertility examinations, we invite you to book online and allow our doctors at NUWA to guide you on your treatment plan.

Author's Information
NUWA Fertility Center
With many infertility experts and more than 10,000 doctors with successful IVF experience, the company has 5 clinics, including 3 high-specification IVF reproduction centers, 2 TCM centers, and 3 international embryo laboratories, which are located in Taipei, Taoyuan, and Taichung.

Main Services: Infertility treatment, IVF, artificial insemination, egg freezing, egg borrowing, and pregnancy preparation. In 2021, NUWA Healthcare will formally cooperate with Dianthus Medical Group to provide one-stop integrated services for preparation, pregnancy, labor, and postpartum care, which will bring the greatest convenience to the patients. 👉Learn more about NUWA Healthcare

2024.08.01
Fertility Resources
IVF (In Vitro Fertilization) 101
Are you ready to embrace your dream of parenthood, but are still weary and unsure of the cost of IVF or of not being able to go through the grueling process? Good news for you! At NUWA Fertility Center, you'll receive dedicated care from a team of caring and understanding specialists throughout your journey. Government subsidies also allow IVF procedures to be more affordable, and selecting a reputable fertility clinic ensures peace of mind during treatment. Explore the IVF process and costs from a professional perspective with us!

What is IVF? IVF v.s. IUI
The difference between In Vitro Fertilization, or IVF, and Artificial Insemination, or IUI, lies in the way they are performed.

Currently, the government only subsidizes the cost of IVF, not IUI, so the difference in cost between the two is almost the same, but the average pregnancy rate between the two treatments is several times higher!

Who is Suitable for IVF Treatment?
Who is suitable for IVF treatment? If you meet the following criteria, it is recommended that you seek professional advice.
Poor quality of spermatozoa
Obstruction or edema of the fallopian tube
Moderately severe endometriosis
Women over 38 years old
Premature ovarian failure or extremely low AMH values
IUI fails multiple times
Unexplained infertility
If you are under 34 years old and have not been able to conceive for one year, or 35 to 38 years old and have not been able to conceive for six months, or over 38 years old and still trying to conceive, and if you fall into any of these three categories, NUWA Fertility Center may suggest seeking professional help as soon as possible.

Steps of IVF

Start Treatment
Book a consultation on the second to fourth day of the menstrual cycle and undergo relevant tests, such as blood sampling and ultrasound. According to the doctor's recommendation, ovulation medication will be used to stimulate the ovaries to produce more follicles.

Inducing Ovulation
According to your doctor's recommendation, you should continue to use ovulation medication to grow your follicles. You should also return to the clinic routinely to have your blood drawn and ultrasound exams done to track changes in blood hormone values and monitor follicle maturity to determine when the best time to retrieve your eggs is.

Egg and Sperm Retrieval
The doctor will determine the appropriate time for egg retrieval, and an injection will be given 34-36 hours before egg retrieval.

Sperm Collection
Egg Retrieval
Attention
Abstain from sexual intercourse for 2 to 4 days before sperm collection
Surgery is short and non-invasive, so there is no need for hospitalization

Embryo Implantation
According to your doctor's recommendation, you can choose to implant fresh embryos or frozen embryos. The date of implantation will be adjusted according to the number of days of the embryo, the lining of the embryo, and the physical condition of the individual. The actual course of treatment should be thoroughly discussed with the doctor.

Follow-up Pregnancy Test
The blood test for pregnancy is the chorionic gonadotropin β-hCG value. Generally, a return visit will be arranged about 14 days after implantation, so you can follow the doctor's schedule to return for the blood test.

Success Rates Analysis
The success rate of IVF is closely related to egg quality, uterine environment, embryo quality, etc., and varies according to each individual's physical condition. According to the Assisted Reproductive Technology Summary 2021 National Report of Taiwan, the pregnancy rate for implantation cycles was 44.3%; the pregnancy rate for treatment cycles was 22.5% (commonly referred to as the "pregnancy rate,") the cumulative live birth rate for treatment cycles was 27.9%, and the cumulative live birth rate for treatment cycles before the age of 38 years was 43.5%. The results of the survey showed that both pregnancy and live birth rates decreased with the age of the treated women.

NUWA Healthcare has a large number of expert traditional Chinese medicine physicians and reproductive medicine physicians, professional embryologists, and high-quality equipment, and boasts the team’s ability to pay attention to small details, which are the key success factors for NUWA Healthcare’s high fertility rates.

Are There Side Effects of IVF?
However, are there any risks associated with IVF? Are there any side effects? Some women may experience discomfort from ovulation injection or overstimulation of the ovaries after egg retrieval. However, everyone reacts differently to hormone injections and may experience mild nausea, bloating, and edema. These side effects will subside within 1 to 2 weeks after stopping the medication.

Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS) is a common complication that occurs after ovulation is induced. Depending on the severity, it can be mild, moderate, or severe, with symptoms such as abdominal bloating, abdominal pain, nausea, weight gain, and in severe cases, shortness of breath and even a decrease in urine output. Several things can be done to minimize the chances of OHSS, such as: lowering the dosage of gonadotropins or suspending their use for a few days to minimize the stimulation of the ovaries; freezing the embryos instead of implanting them fresh; and changing the egg-broken egg injections, etc. The doctor will observe and decide on the appropriate course of action, and it is recommended to respond immediately and seek professional help if any of these conditions arise to help reduce the risk of Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome. The physician will observe and determine the appropriate course of action for any condition.
IVF Treatment Costs
The main cost items of IVF treatment include:
Egg Retrieval
Fertilization
Single spermatozoa microinjection of ICSI, if necessary (no additional charge)
Embryo culture (including time-lapse photography)
Freezing and thawing of embryos (including the first year of cryopreservation)
Embryo implantation
The cost starts from NT$150,000 to NT$180,000, with additional costs for medication. However, the actual course of treatment will depend on each person's ovarian status and response to medication, sperm status, and choice of embryo culture technique, as well as the doctor's professional assessment and medication arrangement. Since costs will vary from patient to patient, we recommend that you come to the clinic for consultation and discussion with the doctor.

FAQs
Q1: How much is the IVF subsidy?
To encourage childbirth, the government has implemented an expanded subsidy program for infertility treatment (IVF) starting July 1, 2021. People who need IVF treatment as long as one of the spouses is a national and the wife is under the age of 45 and has a diagnosis of infertility are eligible for the subsidy. The subsidies are available in the following ways:

Amount of subsidy: Generally infertile couples can receive a maximum subsidy of NT$100,000 for first-time applicants and NT$60,000 for second-time applicants. Low-income and lower-middle-income households will receive a maximum subsidy of NT$150,000 per application.

Number of Subsidies: The maximum number of subsidies is 6 for women under 39 years of age (inclusive) before undergoing IVF treatment and having a successful live birth; the maximum number of subsidies is 3 for women between 40 and 44 years of age. For those who have already given birth via IVF, the number of subsidies for another child will be re-calculated according to the age range of the woman.

💡 Reminder: NUWA Fertility Center is an approved artificial reproduction facility!

Extended reading: Read this article to know the eligibility, target, and process of the 2024 Infertility IVF subsidy program in a second!

Q2: Can I choose the gender for IVF?
According to Article 16 (3) of The Artificial Reproduction Law of Taiwan, the sex of IVF embryos cannot be chosen unless the couple has genetic diseases, such as color blindness and hemophilia. The doctor will then use PGT-A genetic screening to discover the sex of the fetus, to reduce the chances of the fetus suffering from genetic diseases and additional risks.

Q3: Is it better to have more embryos implanted during IVF treatments?
The Taiwan Society of Reproductive Medicine (TSRM) has published a "Guideline on the Number of Embryos to be Implanted." Generally speaking, the younger the mother, the higher the chance of success. Therefore, it is recommended that women younger than 35 years old have 1 or 2 embryos implanted; women between the ages of 35 and 37 are recommended to have 2 embryos implanted; women between the ages of 38 and 40 are recommended to have 3 embryos implanted; and women over the age of 41 can consider placing a "maximum" of 4 embryos.

The number of embryos cannot avoid the problem of multiple births, which may cause premature labor and pregnancy complications. Therefore, the number of embryos to be implanted needs to take into account the age and physical condition of the mother, and it is recommended that you consult a professional doctor for a detailed discussion.

Comprehensive Treatments for a Personalized Treatment
Do you have questions about IVF treatment but don't know where to go? If this has been on your mind, we recommend a visit to NUWA Fertility Center. Here are some of the things we do to help make prospective parents more comfortable to leave this important task to us!

👍 Major Fertility Chain in Taiwan
NUWA Healthcare has 3 high-quality IVF centers and 2 TCM centers in Taipei, Taoyuan, and Taichung, with a total of one hundred healthcare professionals providing comprehensive fertility treatments.

👍 Expert Infertility Team
A crew of doctors with more than 10,000 successful in vitro fertilization procedures, including 15 reproductive medicine physicians, 5 Chinese medicine physicians, and 21 embryologists, stands as invaluable teammates for a successful pregnancy.

👍 International-Grade Embryology Laboratory
We have several advanced time-lapse Vitrolife Embryoscope laboratories that use AI technology to accurately select embryos and create a lab environment suitable for embryo culture, and are committed to increasing pregnancy success rates!

👍 Professional and Heartfelt Service
We prioritize each person's experience in the clinic and provide expecting parents with a sincere and trusting consultation, as well as a comfortable and private clinic environment.

👍 Combination of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Western Medicine
NUWA Healthcare includes the NUWA Fertility Center and the NUWA TCM Center, where traditional Chinese and Western physicians work together to help you achieve your fertility goals.

If you have any questions about IVF, you are welcome to come to the clinic to consult with the doctors 👉 Make an appointment online

Extended Reading:
What is the definition of infertility? What are the basic tests?
What is Habitual Miscarriage? Find out how to assess and treat it.

Author's Information
NUWA Fertility Center
With many infertility experts and more than 10,000 doctors with successful IVF experience, the company has 5 clinics, including 3 high-specification IVF reproduction centers, 2 TCM centers, and 3 international embryo laboratories, which are located in Taipei, Taoyuan, and Taichung.

Main Services: Infertility treatment, IVF, artificial insemination, egg freezing, egg borrowing, and pregnancy preparation. In 2021, NUWA Healthcare will formally cooperate with Dianthus Medical Group to provide one-stop integrated services from preparation, pregnancy, labor, and postpartum care, which will bring the greatest convenience to the patients.👉Learn more about NUWA online
2024.08.01
Fertility Resources
Everything You Need To Know About Egg Freezing
How does the egg-freezing process work? Is there an age limit? How much does it cost? Women's prime reproductive age is between 25 and 35 years old, which is the best time for high egg quality. After 35 years old, ovarian function gradually declines, and especially after 38 years old, it’s an even steeper decline. However, women nowadays are getting married later and later because of their workplace and career planning, so the means to preserve their fertility has become a topic of the new era. Egg freezing is one of your options, so we’re going to explain the process of egg freezing and its related FAQs.

Do I Need to Freeze My Eggs?
With the advancement of technology and medical techniques, the freezing of pre-stored eggs has been realized to safeguard fertility, allowing modern women to preserve their "egg quality" in advance through this technology, to ensure that fertility planning is no longer restricted by age. When is egg freezing suitable? Who is recommended to undergo egg freezing?

Recommended Ages
Doctors at the NUWA Fertility Center recommend that the appropriate age to freeze your eggs is 30 to 35. Generally speaking, if a woman in good physical condition has sexual intercourse during her ovulation period, there is a 50% chance of getting pregnant between the ages of 20 and 25, a 40% chance between the ages of 26 and 35, and a 30% chance between the ages of 36 and 40.

Who Is Suitable for Egg Freezing?
Who are the women recommended for egg freezing? If you are one of the following 5 groups, you are advised to consult a professional medical organization.

✅ Cancer patients with future fertility plans
✅ Over 30 years of age, who will not rule out having children in the future
✅ Premature ovarian failure or aging, need to collect a sufficient number of eggs for IVF treatment
✅ Endometriosis patients
✅ People with a family history of genetic diseases

Costs and Procedures
The cost of egg-freezing treatment is about NT$90,000 to NT$120,000 (including medication and the first year of preservation), and the actual cost varies according to each person's ovarian function, the doctor's professional evaluation, and the medication arrangement. The procedure is roughly the following 5 steps:

STEP 1: Make an appointment
Make an appointment to see your doctor and inform them about your condition so the doctor can evaluate your condition and assist you in scheduling your treatment.

STEP 2：Return to the clinic during the menstrual cycle
Return to the clinic on the 2nd to 3rd day of the menstrual cycle. Blood tests and an ultrasound will be performed before the egg-freezing treatment begins.

STEP 3：Ovulation induction
After beginning treatment, according to the doctor's diagnosis, ovulation injections or ovulation medication will be administered to induce ovulation, and about 2 visits will be scheduled for ultrasound examination.

STEP 4：Egg retrieval surgery
Egg retrieval surgery is scheduled around the 11th to 14th day, and an ovulation trigger shot will be given before the surgery (34 to 36 hours before the surgery).

STEP 5：Egg freezing
Finally, the eggs will be frozen according to their maturity level. If you freeze your eggs at NUWA Fertility Center, you will be able to find out the number of eggs you have frozen on the NUWA Fertility Center APP.

Generally speaking, the entire egg freezing treatment can be completed within 2 weeks, averaging about 10 to 14 days. Ovulation injections or long-acting ovulation injections are administered every day, and the doctor will closely track the growth of the follicles. The counselors at NUWA Fertility Center will also carefully instruct you on injection techniques, to wait until the follicles have grown to a sufficiently large size before administering the ovulation injections, and then arrange for the egg retrieval surgery.

Are There Consequences of Egg Freezing?
Are there any risks or after-effects associated with egg freezing? After undergoing the egg-freezing treatment, more people usually worry about the risk of "Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS)", but in fact, this side effect does not happen very often. The chance of occurrence is less than 5%, and it usually occurs in the cases of young, thin, polycystic ovary syndrome, with more than 15 to 20 follicles. Most people recover on their own within a few days; a few may experience symptoms such as bloating, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, etc., and only a very small number of people need to be hospitalized.

FAQs
Q1: How many eggs do you need to freeze to ensure it’s enough?
The quality of eggs decreases with age, and the older you get, the more eggs you would need to freeze if you want to bring home a baby. According to the experience of our doctors at NUWA Fertility Center, the success rate of pregnancy is 70%:
At 35 years old, you need about 8 eggs.
At 38 years old, you need about 20 eggs.
At 40 years old, you need about 35 eggs.
However, we are reminded that the above figures are based on planning for the birth of one child in the future. If you want to have a second or third child, you will need to freeze more eggs.

Q2: Where are the eggs stored?
All eggs will be stored in liquid nitrogen at -196℃, and the laboratory must have a strict monitoring system, constant power and temperature, and a professional must be aware of the level of liquid nitrogen at all times. NUWA Lab has a 24-hour reproduction monitoring and alarm system, which is controlled by a centralized back-office, assisting the embryologists to keep a close eye on the values of various systems 24 hours a day. They also strictly monitor the environmental conditions to ensure the quality of the frozen eggs.

Q3: Will freezing eggs speed up the depletion of eggs and advance menopause?
There are about 2 million primary oocytes in the ovaries of a newborn baby girl at birth, and each woman will only have about 400 ovulation cycles in her lifetime (from puberty to menopause). Each woman will only ovulate about 400 times in her lifetime (from puberty to menopause). One egg is ovulated in each cycle, so the maximum number of eggs that can be ovulated in a lifetime is 400, while the other hundreds of thousands of oocytes will not become mature enough to be ovulated due to hormonal factors.

Egg freezing treatment is to induce ovulation through drug stimulation, so that other follicles that would have naturally shrunk during the cycles will have a chance to grow and, therefore, will not cause menopause to come early!

Q4: Are there any government subsidies for egg freezing?
Currently, Taoyuan City Government and Hsinchu City Government have launched the egg freezing subsidy program (updated to 2024), so the latest information about the egg freezing subsidy program will be based on the announcements of Taoyuan City Government and Hsinchu City Government, and you are welcome to inquire at the Department of Public Health of Taoyuan City and the Department of Public Health of Hsinchu City. Or refer to this article: 2024 Egg Freezing Subsidy Program: Application Procedure, Eligibility, Subsidy Items and Fees at a glance, which will provide you with more detailed information about the subsidy.

NUWA’s 8 Advantages
Do you want to undergo egg-freezing treatment but don't know which fertility center is better? Then we recommend NUWA Fertility Center, which has the following 8 advantages and has been experienced and chosen by several people!

Major Fertility Chain in Taiwan
NUWA Healthcare has 3 high-quality IVF centers and 2 Chinese medicine clinics in Taipei, Taoyuan, and Taichung, with a total of one hundred healthcare professionals providing comprehensive fertility treatments.

International-Grade Embryology Laboratory
The NUWA Lab has a strict monitoring system, constant power, and temperature, and there are always professionals monitoring the levels of liquid nitrogen so that the spermatozoa and embryos can live in a safe and secure environment.

High Thawed Eggs Survival Rate
With an international standard embryo laboratory and experienced embryologists, the survival rate of frozen eggs is as high as 96.3%, so you can trust us with your future fertility!

Heartfelt Services
At NUWA Healthcare, we are committed to providing heartfelt services and consultation, hoping that all women can relax and feel at ease during treatments. The comfortable environment is a stark difference from the cold walls of hospitals in the past and even ensures your privacy from the consultation to the operation.

Assistance with Ovulation Injection
NUWA Healthcare also provides personalized ovulation injection services to reduce the psychological barrier of women in egg freezing treatment.

Reports in 90 Minutes
We know your time is precious, and NUWA Fertility Center recognizes this. The clinics ensure that "the same day you come in for a blood test will be the same day you get your AMH report result." Before entering the egg freezing treatment, we will take a blood test for AMH value (AMH value is an important indicator to check the egg stock in the ovaries), and the result will be available 90 minutes after the blood draw.

Customized Treatment
Depending on the circumstances of the case, the doctor can discuss a "customized treatment plan" and adjust the injections and medications, so that you do not have to return to the clinic and take injections frequently. For example, the long-lasting ovulation injection can be used for 6 to 7 days, which is a great blessing for women who are afraid of injections. However, long-lasting injections may not be suitable for everyone, so you can discuss with your doctor before the treatment so that you can schedule your treatment around your schedule, not the other way around.

Traditional Chinese Medicine
NUWA TCM Center’s professional team will help you with your physical conditioning, providing specialized care for egg and uterus nourishment. Working alongside Western medicine practitioners, we ensure that the medication can be adjusted at any time for a smoother egg-freezing process.

If you want to keep your eggs in good condition before it's too late, then egg freezing is a good choice for you!

NUWA Fertility Center not only has professional doctors who can plan customized treatments for you but can also provide you with attentive services for your comfort during the treatment. Therefore, if you have any questions related to egg freezing, you are welcome to make an appointment online and come in for a consultation, so that you can properly plan out your life!

Author's Information
NUWA Fertility Center
With many infertility experts and more than 10,000 doctors with successful IVF experience, the company has 5 clinics, including 3 high-specification IVF reproduction centers, 2 TCM centers, and 3 international embryo laboratories, which are located in Taipei, Taoyuan, and Taichung.

Main Services: Infertility treatment, IVF, artificial insemination, egg freezing, egg borrowing, and pregnancy preparation. In 2021, NUWA Healthcare will formally cooperate with Dianthus Medical Group to provide one-stop integrated services from preparation, pregnancy, labor, and postpartum care, which will bring the greatest convenience to the patients.👉Learn more about NUWA Healthcare
2024.08.01

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