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Battling thalassemia can cause physical, mental and emotional challenges for any person. Most people assume that they cannot get married or start a family due to this disease. But this is not true.
Thalassemia is a blood disease that runs from generation to generation. In this, there is a lack of a substance called hemoglobin in the blood. Hemoglobin is necessary to deliver oxygen to the body. If hemoglobin is low, then the red blood cells will not be able to deliver oxygen to the body parts. This can cause extreme fatigue and many other diseases. There are two main types of thalassemia – alpha and beta. Both types can cause problems in fertility, pregnancy and child birth. But now medical science has progressed so much that even people suffering from thalassemia can fulfill their dream of becoming parents. How is this possible and what options are available for this, let us know from an IVF specialist.
Dr. Sheetal Jindal is the Director Medical Genetics at Jindal IVF Chandigarh. Dr. Sheetal, who has done MBBS and MD, has been helping couples for many years who are unable to plan a baby due to some reasons. Dr. Sheetal says, “Thalassemia is a blood disorder and passes on from generation to generation. Therefore, every time before planning a pregnancy, we advise couples to get a thalassemia test done. But this does not mean that couples suffering from thalassemia cannot become parents.”
But before knowing about its alternatives Thalassemia One should also know its effect on fertility. Dr Sheetal believes that thalassemia affects the fertility of both men and women.
How thalassemia affect reproductive health
Dr Sheetal says, “In women suffering from thalassemia, due to anemia and frequent blood transfusions, puberty may be delayed and menstruation may become irregular. Sometimes menstruation may also stop. This problem Due to repeated blood transfusions, the body This happens due to increased iron levels. This disturbs the hormonal balance in the body.
Due to this, the risk of getting diabetes and heart diseases in women also increases. Due to all these reasons, women may have difficulty in getting pregnant (Thalassemia affect pregnancy).”
Thalassemia is actually a blood disorder that can be passed from parents to their children. Image: Shutterstock
Thalassemia also affects men (Thalassemia effect on males)
suffering from thalassemia Men also have fertility problems Frequent blood transfusions cause iron to accumulate in the pituitary gland. This can lead to a decrease in hormones. This can lead to delayed puberty, decreased sexual desire and difficulty in conceiving children. Apart from this, the physical and mental problems caused by a disease like thalassemia can also affect sexual health and cause problems in relationships.
Options for having children with thalassemia (Pregnancy in Thalassemia)
Despite these challenges, there are many options for people with thalassemia to have children. The advent of fertility preservation techniques and assisted reproductive technology (ART) in medical science has brought hope of having a child.
Pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD)
Explaining the procedure, Dr Jindal says, “PGD is an advanced method used along with in vitro fertilisation (IVF) to test embryos for genetic conditions before implanting them in the uterus. This technique ensures that only embryos without thalassaemia are selected for implantation, significantly reducing the risk of passing on the disorder to the baby. By selecting healthy embryos, PGD not only helps prevent the transmission of thalassaemia but also improves the chances of a successful pregnancy.”
Sperm and egg freezing
Thalassemia is detected at an early age Preserving sperm or eggs It is a good option. This technique is especially useful before starting iron chelation therapy, as it can have a negative effect on fertility. Preserving sperm or eggs at a young age can allow people to opt for assisted reproductive methods later when they are ready to have children.”
Hormonal treatment
Hormonal therapy may be used to treat delayed puberty and hypogonadism in both men and women with thalassemia. These treatments work to restore normal sexual development and increase fertility by balancing hormone levels and correcting deficiencies.
Surrogacy
For women with thalassemia who face a higher risk during pregnancy, surrogacy is an option. In this process, the couple’s embryo created through IVF is implanted into a surrogate who carries the pregnancy to full term. This allows the mother to have a biological child without the health risks associated with pregnancy.
Remember this
According to Dr Sheetal, “Although thalassemia can increase the risk of complications during pregnancy, many individuals with this condition can still have a healthy pregnancy with proper monitoring and care. It is important for people with thalassemia to be in good health before becoming pregnant and to work closely with their health care team to optimize their treatment plan during pregnancy.”
A thorough health assessment and clear guidance about what to expect before and during pregnancy are vital to manage the risks and achieve the best possible outcome.”
Also read – World Thalassemia Day: Parents’ genes are responsible for thalassemia in the child, can it be prevented?
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