Sidra Medicine uses advanced genetic research to investigate complex fertility cases

Sidra Medicine is leveraging cutting-edge genetic research and a multidisciplinary medical team to examine complex fertility issues, including instances where traditional diagnostic methods have been unable to pinpoint the cause, Dr Johnny Awwad, the executive chair of Women’s Services and division chief of Reproductive Medicine at Sidra Medicine, explained during a Science Café 2026 event in Doha on November 9.

The event, titled "Health and Future Generations: Your Guide to Fertility," was co-hosted by Sidra Medicine and Msheireb Museums at Bin Jelmood House in Msheireb Downtown Doha.

Dr Awwad elaborated on how the hospital integrates fertility treatments with scientific research to tackle challenging cases and explore potential treatment avenues. He emphasized the hospital's tight partnership with its research facility, underscoring the significance of merging clinical care with advanced scientific studies. Dr Awwad elaborated that Sidra Medicine carries out advanced genomic studies and sequencing to scrutinize fertility problems that persist despite standard medical evaluations.

He further detailed that multidisciplinary teams, comprising reproductive medicine experts, researchers, and laboratory professionals, assess patients' medical histories and test results to ascertain whether additional investigations might reveal the underlying causes of infertility. Dr Awwad also mentioned that specialized tests, unavailable in standard laboratories, may be recommended when conventional investigations yield inconclusive results.

"We either get an answer that has a treatment today or an answer that will have a treatment tomorrow," he noted.

Dr Awwad highlighted the crucial role of embryologists, physicians, and specialized nurses in delivering fertility care, stressing that treatment plans are tailored to patients' medical histories, individual requirements, and personal circumstances. The presentation delved into assisted reproductive technologies, such as in vitro fertilization (IVF), where eggs and sperm are combined outside the body, and a technique involving the direct injection of sperm into an egg, especially in cases with male fertility challenges.

Dr Awwad pointed out that some couples grapple with unexplained infertility, where medical examinations fail to identify a clear cause.

The Science Café session also underscored the significance of fertility awareness, genetic screening, and a healthy lifestyle in supporting reproductive health. Dr Sahar Isa Da'as, who founded the Science Café series at Sidra Medicine, stated that the initiative aims to provide the community with clear, evidence-based information regarding health, wellbeing, and fertility.

She detailed that reproductive health commences with the overall wellness of individuals, both men and women, and can impact the health of future generations. The discourse covered four principal themes: reproductive health and wellbeing, genetic screening and counseling, routine medical check-ups, and functional medicine and nutrition.

Participants analyzed the value of premarital screening, testing for inherited conditions, and genetic counseling in enabling informed decisions about family planning. The session also explored how nutrition, sleep, physical activity, and stress influence reproductive health. Dr Houda Ferjani, medical director of Zulal Wellness Resort by Chiva-Som, presided over the discussion.

The Science Café series commenced in 2024 and is slated to persist in 2027 under the joint agreement between Sidra Medicine and Msheireb Museums, fostering dialogues between medical specialists, researchers, and community members on scientific advancements and promoting informed healthcare choices.