Dr. Anastasis Anastasiadis - Obstetrician/Gynecologist-Fertility Specialist

23/10/2025

We grew up learning how Not to get , but no one truly explained what it actually takes to GET pregnant, or how changes over time.

You can do everything “right”... eat healthy, exercise & track your cycle but still find it harder than expected. That’s not failure! It’s biology and it’s something most of us were never taught to understand.

As a doctor, I speak with women Every Day who are genuinely surprised by how little of this was ever explained to them and how little they know about what really matters when it comes to fertility.

➜ Egg quality and quantity naturally decline with age, especially after 35.
➜ Only a few days each month are truly fertile, the window is short & timing matters.
➜ Irregular cycles or hormonal symptoms can sometimes signal underlying issues like or thyroid imbalances that affect .
➜ Genetic factors can also play a role, certain inherited conditions can impact egg health, ovarian reserve or overall reproductive function.

These conversations matter. Understanding fertility isn’t just about trying to have a baby now, but about knowing your body, your health & your future options.

Knowledge is power. And often, the most important step is simply to begin - to learn where you stand, so you can make confident, informed decisions about your future.
If you’d like to understand your fertility better, you can schedule a consultation- it’s a small step that can make a BIG difference.

10/10/2025

Not everyone knows that once embryos are created, they’re graded to help us understand their potential, but it’s something important to know when going through .

Not every fertilized egg will reach the stage (Day 5–6). Some stop developing earlier, around Day 2 (4 cells), Day 3 (8 cells), or Day 4 (morula). If they do reach the blastocyst stage, that’s the final step in the lab before we either:
✅ Transfer
✅ Freeze for later use

At this stage, embryos get a grade like 4AA, 3AB, or 2BB. The grading looks at:
➤ how well the embryo has grown
➤ the part that becomes the baby
➤ & the part that becomes the .

Usually, only embryos graded BB or higher are used for transfer or freezing.

It is also important to know: While higher grades (like AA) have a better chance of implantation, BB can still lead to a healthy , just less often. But grading and appearance aren’t the only things that matter: the chromosomes & mitochondrial energy of the embryos are also key factors. You can also perform genetic screening of the embryos to check for chromosomal normality & other indicators.

If you would like to understand more or have questions - schedule a consultation with Dr. Anastasiadis. A conversation with a fertility specialist can make all the difference and it is your chance to ask questions, understand your options & feel truly supported through the process.

18/09/2025

Every patients deserve clear, accurate information, & not vague terms that create confusion and often false hope.

➜ An egg is not a baby.
➜ An embryo is not a baby.
These are biological stages & not guaranteed outcomes.

Women are born with all their eggs, but those eggs are undeveloped cells. Fertilization doesn’t guarantee a viable . And even viable embryos don’t always implant.

In , we work with multiple eggs because the process is biologically inefficient and that’s completely normal, not a failure.

Using the correct words helps patients make informed decisions based on , not assumptions.

The good news is, THERE ARE effective treatments available, but success often depends on timing. It only takes one lucky egg, but getting there sometimes requires the right plan. The earlier you understand your options, the more choices you may have.

📆 Book a consultation to better understand your fertility potential & treatment options if needed with fertility specialist Dr Anastasiadis

04/09/2025

Can weight loss injections help you get pregnant?
Some women are noticing changes when using drugs like or . These drugs can sometimes:
🔹 Restart
🔹 Balance
🔹 Improve chances of getting
🔹 Help with insulin resistance, which, when treated (often under the care of an endocrinologist), can also support ovulation and potentially improve .

That’s why you may have heard the term Ozempic Babies - unexpected pregnancies while still on the medication.

But here’s the BIG question: Is It Safe?
The truth is, we don’t fully know yet, because there isn’t enough research to understand how these drugs affect pregnancy or a baby.

If you’re planning to conceive, now or in the future, it’s very important to get personal medical advice. Every woman’s body & journey is different, and what works for one woman might not be right for another.

Book a consultation to discuss your fertility goals & the safest way forward.

27/08/2025

Your weight can have a real impact on , both when it’s too low (being underweight) and too high (being overweight).

When your weight is too low, your body may not produce enough to keep your cycles regular. This can lead to missed , irregular , or even make it harder for the uterus to prepare properly for an to implant.

On the other hand, being overweight can also affect fertility. Extra weight may interfere with regular ovulation, lower egg quality, and increase the risk of conditions like polycystic o***y syndrome ( ), which can make getting pregnant more challenging.

A healthy weight supports hormone balance, regular ovulation, and improves fertility outcomes. Even a small weight change (5–10%) can make a big difference.

Tips to support fertility:
🥗 Eat well & focus on balanced, nutrient-rich meals.
🏃 Move regularly. Gentle, consistent exercise helps regulate hormones.
😴Prioritize sleep & stress management.
👉 Talk to a doctor if you’re unsure about your BMI or cycles.

Fertility & weight is NOT about chasing the perfect numbers, but it is important to care for your body & give it the BALANCE it needs.

24/07/2025

Pregnant during the hot Cyprus summer? Staying comfortable can be a challenge!

One of the best ways to cool down & keep active is : a safe, refreshing option with great benefits for both you and your baby.

Why swimming helps:

💧 Relieves pressure - reduces strain on your back and legs
💧 Keeps you cool - a great way to beat the summer heat
💧 Gentle, low-impact exercise, easy on joints and safe during
💧 Reduces swelling – helps with puffy ankles & feet

Important tips:

✔️ Swim in calm, clean water (sea or pool)
✔️ Avoid hot tubs or very warm water
✔️ Stay hydrated and take breaks

*Always consult your doctor before starting any new activity.

15/07/2025

How many eggs do you need for IVF to work successfully?

It’s one of the most common & important questions I get from patients starting their journey.

While numbers matter, success in depends on many factors working together, and the right support can make a BIG difference.

The chances of a successful cycle increase when care is personalized and carefully planned:
✅ A protocol tailored to your reserve and hormone profile
✅ A fertility specialist with experience in stimulation and egg retrieval
✅ Advanced lab conditions for fertilization and development
✅ Early and honest conversations with a specialist about timing, expectations, & if needed egg donation

Here’s a general estimate, based on age and expected embryo quality:
Under 35 ➡️ ~10 eggs
35–37 ➡️ ~15 eggs
38–40 ➡️ ~18–20 eggs
40–42 ➡️ ~30–40 eggs

Not every egg retrieved results in a healthy embryo and that’s expected.
At each stage - egg retrieval → fertilization → blastocyst development → genetic screening -the number of viable embryos naturally decreases. This is a normal part of human reproduction and something we plan for in every cycle.

Sometimes, just only ONE good quality egg is all it takes to achieve a successful . Understanding your options early can make the process feel less overwhelming and more informed. Schedule a consultation!

05/07/2025

For many women, the early years of adulthood are spent avoiding pregnancy, to focus on education, careers, and other priorities. But as patients reach their 30s, the conversation often shifts: from preventing to wondering whether it’s still possible.

From a medical standpoint, we know that female begins to decline gradually in the early 30s, and more significantly after 35. Still, life doesn’t always follow a set timeline. Building a career, getting financially ready, or meeting the right partner can all take time, and that can sometimes mean postponing family planning until it feels right.

The reality is:
✔️ There is no universal timeline for starting a family.
✔️ There is no one-size-fits-all approach to fertility.
✔️ And THERE ARE OPTIONS available to help protect your potential (whether that’s egg or freezing, timed , or assisted reproductive technologies like and .)

What matters most is having the right information early enough to make informed decisions.

If you’re feeling uncertain or overwhelmed by the When or How of starting a family, that’s normal. Schedule a consultation with fertility specialist Dr Anastasiadis to understand your options, so that whenever you decide to take that step, you do so with the necessary knowledge & support.

25/06/2025

Infertility is a medical condition, just like diabetes or hypertension. It affects 1 in 6 couples worldwide, and yet, it’s often misunderstood and even dismissed.
You’ve probably heard it all before:
💬 “Just relax!”
💬 “Take a holiday!”
💬 “Stop stressing so much!”
These messages ignore an important fact: is not solved by positive thinking alone. It’s a real, diagnosable condition that deserves serious medical attention and your struggles are valid.

Thanks to modern medicine, many couples are building the families they’ve dreamed of. Treatments like:
🔹 (In Vitro Fertilization)
🔹 (Intrauterine Insemination)
🔹 Induction
🔹Male fertility therapies
Are all helping, depending on each case, to turn hope into reality.

When Should You Seek Help?
If you’ve been trying to conceive for:
🔹 Over 12 months, or
🔹 Over 6 months if you’re 35+
it’s time to speak to a fertility specialist. The earlier you get answers, the sooner you can take control of your path to parenthood.

You are not alone & you are not to blame. Schedule a consultation - infertility is treatable!

05/06/2025

While there are tests that can give us an idea about your fertility, they don’t tell the whole story.
The truth is, you often don’t know if you’ll face fertility challenges until you start trying to have a baby. That’s why egg freezing isn’t about fear or panic. It’s about knowledge, science, and keeping your options open for the future

IS EGG FREEZING A GUARANTEE?
That’s one of the most common questions my patients ask me. And the honest answer is- no, it’s not a guarantee. But the earlier you start, the better the chances we have to work with.

Here’s what matters:

➜ naturally declines with age, especially when it comes to egg quality.
➜ Egg freezing allows you to preserve eggs while they’re younger and typically healthier.
➜ Modern freezing techniques are highly effective, and most eggs survive the process well.
➜ Not every egg will fertilize or become an , and that’s completely normal. It’s one reason why starting earlier can improve your chances later on.
➜ Having an experienced fertility specialist makes a BIG difference. Every woman’s journey is different, and an individual approach ensures a care plan that fits unique needs & goals.

Egg freezing isn’t about stopping time. It’s about giving yourself more options & feeling more in control of your future.

If you’re wondering whether egg freezing is the right step for you, talk to fertility specialist Dr. Anastasiadis. Get the facts and make informed choices that are right for YOU.

17/05/2025

Birth Control & Your Future Fertility?

Hormonal birth control, whether it’s the pill, patch, injection, implant, or IUD, Does NOT cause , even if you use it for many years. Once you stop, your body typically resumes its natural cycle within weeks or months. There’s no need to stop using contraception early just because you’re worried about getting pregnant later.

doesn’t decline because of contraception - it declines naturally over time. As you get older, the number and quality of eggs naturally decline. This happens whether you’re on contraception or not - it’s just part of biology.

Not all work the same way or feel the same in your body. The way you respond can depend on the specific type of hormone used. Some help with breakouts, oily skin, or excess hair growth by reducing androgens. Others are better for bloating and water retention. If you’re dealing with low s*x drive or mood changes, switching to a different type may help. And if you prefer fewer hormones, there are progestin-only or hormone-free options too, but unfortunately not always available in Cyprus.
The best birth control is the one that fits your body, your symptoms, and your future plans. Personalized care matters.

Make an appointment to speak with specialist Dr Anastasiadis. The right guidance can make all the difference NOW & for your FUTURE fertility.


www.dranastasiadis.com

11/05/2025