Complications related to in vitro reproductive techniques support the implementation of natural procreative technologies

Main Article Content

Aysha Karim Kiani
Stefano Paolacci
Pietro Scanzano
Sandro Michelini
Natale Capodicasa
Leonardo D'Agruma
Angelantonio Notarangelo
Gerolamo Tonini
Daniela Piccinelli
Kalantary Rad Farshid
Paolo Petralia
Ezio Fulcheri
Pietro Chiurazzi
Corrado Terranova
Francesco Plotti
Roberto Angioli
Marco Castori
Matteo Bertelli

Keywords

assisted reproductive technology, genetic infertility, NaProTechnology

Abstract

Background and aim: Infertility affects ~20% of the couples in the world. Assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) are currently the most common treatment option for infertility. Nevertheless, ARTs may be associated with complications for mothers and/or offspring. Natural procreative technology (NaProTechnology) is a natural treatment which minimizes these risks by seeking to identify the causes of infertility to enable better treatments. This narrative review summarizes the complications related to ARTs and clarifies how the NaProTechnology approach can help ARTs to achieve better results or be used in alternative to ARTs. Methods: Data in the literature indicate that NaProTechnology is a natural approach for treating infertility. Results: The percentage of live births obtained by NaProTechnology is similar to that of ARTs. Conclusions: An extensive search for the genetic defects causing infertility or subfertility through genetic testing can help both ARTs and NaProTechnology to achieve successful pregnancies. By discovering the underlying causes of infertility, genetic tests enable better family counseling, like the implications of transmitting risk- and disease-alleles to future generations.

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