Question 1

Does IERA Lisboa treat single women seeking fertility treatment?

Accepted Answer

IERA Lisboa explicitly welcomes single women for assisted‑reproduction. The clinic follows Portuguese legislation (Law 58/2017) that permits women over 18, regardless of marital status or sexual orientation, to access all fertility treatments, including IVF, ICSI, egg donation and fertility preservation. Individualised protocols are designed to address each patient’s specific medical profile, and the multidisciplinary team provides psychological support throughout the journey. This inclusive policy ensures that solo mothers can pursue parenthood with the same level of clinical excellence as couples.

Question 2

Who are the fertility doctors and specialists at IERA Lisboa?

Accepted Answer

IERA Lisboa’s medical team is led by Dr. José Antonio Domínguez Arroyo, Clinical Director and PhD holder in Medicine from the University of Extremadura, who also serves on the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE). The reproductive endocrinology team includes Dr. Eduardo Rosa, Dr. Ana Aguiar (a certified obstetric‑gynecologist and reproductive medicine specialist), Dr. Isabel Pereira and Dr. Sofia Aguilar. Dr. Ignacio Santiago Álvarez Miguel acts as Scientific Director, contributing expertise in embryology and genetics. The laboratory is overseen by Dr. Mafalda Rato, Director of the Human Reproduction Laboratory, with embryologists Dr. Catarina Mello and Dr. Marta Ramos. Urological support is provided by Dr. Celso Marialva. The multidisciplinary team is complemented by senior nursing staff, psychologists, nutritionists and a dedicated patient‑care coordination unit, ensuring comprehensive care throughout the fertility journey.

Question 3

What IVF laboratory technology does IERA Lisboa use?

Accepted Answer

The IVF laboratory at IERA Lisboa is equipped with state‑of‑the‑art technology to maximise embryo quality and implantation potential. Embryo culture is performed in a time‑lapse incubator, allowing continuous monitoring of development without disturbance. For pre‑implantation genetic testing, the clinic utilizes a laser‑based embryo biopsy system that creates precise openings in the zona pellucida for cell extraction. Cryopreservation relies on vitrification protocols for both oocytes and embryos, ensuring high post‑thaw survival rates. The laboratory operates under ISO 9001:2015 quality management certification and follows stringent ESHRE guidelines, guaranteeing consistent performance and safety across all assisted‑reproduction procedures.

Question 4

What fertility treatments and services does IERA Lisboa offer?

Accepted Answer

IERA Lisboa provides a full spectrum of assisted‑reproduction options. Core treatments include artificial insemination (both partner‑ and donor‑sperm protocols), in‑vitro fertilization (IVF) with conventional insemination or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). The clinic also runs comprehensive egg‑donation programmes, egg reception for recipients, and fertility‑preservation services for both oocytes and sperm, employing vitrification techniques. Advanced genetic services are available, such as pre‑implantation genetic testing for aneuploidies (PGT‑A) and monogenic disorders (PGT‑M), laser‑assisted embryo biopsy, and genetic compatibility testing. Additional offerings comprise accumulation of oocytes for low‑reserve patients, hormonal monitoring, and personalized counselling, making IERA Lisboa a one‑stop centre for all reproductive needs.

Question 5

Does IERA Lisboa provide fertility treatment for same-sex couples?

Accepted Answer

IERA Lisboa offers inclusive fertility services for same‑sex couples. Female couples can access all standard assisted‑reproduction options, such as IVF with ICSI, egg donation, and the option of reciprocal IVF (where one partner provides the eggs and the other carries the pregnancy). The clinic’s legal framework supports these treatments, and its multidisciplinary team includes specialists in reproductive endocrinology, embryology and counselling to address the unique needs of LGBTQ+ families. By providing tailored protocols and comprehensive support, IERA Lisboa ensures that same‑sex couples receive equitable access to high‑quality fertility care.

Question 6

What is the history and background of IERA Lisboa?

Accepted Answer

IERA Lisboa is part of the Instituto Extremeño de Reproducción Asistida (IERA) network, founded in the late 1990s (the first IVF birth in the region occurred in 2000). Over more than 20 years, the centre has pioneered assisted‑reproduction techniques in Extremadura, achieving milestones such as the first IVF pregnancy, the first frozen‑embryo birth (2001), the first testicular‑sperm pregnancy (2002), and the first vitrified‑embryo transfer. Since then, IERA Lisboa has supported approximately 5,000 pregnancies and currently delivers around 200 babies annually. The clinic operates within the Quirónsalud group, adhering to international standards of care and continuous research, positioning itself as a leading fertility centre in Portugal.

Question 7

Does IERA Lisboa offer egg donation for IVF treatment?

Accepted Answer

Yes, IERA Lisboa runs a fully regulated egg‑donation programme. Donors must be women aged 18‑34, in good physical and mental health, and pass comprehensive genetic and infectious‑disease screening in line with Portuguese Law No. 48/2019. The clinic manages the entire process—from hormonal stimulation and oocyte retrieval to fertilisation with the recipient’s partner or donor sperm and subsequent embryo transfer. Egg‑donation cycles contribute to the centre’s overall IVF success rate of nearly 50%, offering a viable option for patients with ovarian failure, poor response, advanced maternal age, or genetic concerns.

Question 8

What are the IVF success rates at IERA Lisboa?

Accepted Answer

IERA Lisboa reports an overall pregnancy rate of close to 50% per IVF cycle, a substantial increase from the early 20% success observed when the centre opened. The clinic has overseen roughly 5,000 assisted‑reproduction pregnancies since its inception and now delivers about 200 live births each year, representing around 3% of regional natality. Success varies with patient age; younger women (<35 years) typically achieve higher implantation rates, while older patients benefit from individualized protocols such as pre‑implantation genetic testing and oocyte vitrification. These figures reflect the centre’s use of advanced laboratory practices and a personalized approach to each case.

IERA - Lisboa

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