Dr Derek Lok

💡 Fertility tip: how long should you wait to take a pregnancy test? 🤔​​​​​​​​
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🔬 Unfortunately, home tests often can’t detect a pregnancy immediately after conception. It takes around 10 days for pregnancy tests to be able to detect changes in hormone levels that indicate pregnancy 👶​​​​​​​​
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🗓 Therefore, try to delay taking a test until 2 weeks after trying for a baby to get the most accurate reading.​​​​​​​​
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🩺 If you need some help falling pregnant, talking with a fertility specialist like me can provide you with some options ☎️

💡 Fertility fact: hot environments like baths and spas could reduce s***m production 📉 ​​​​​​​​
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📍In fact, anything that warms the te**es can cause decreases in s***m production. While this includes baths and spas, tight underwear and even fevers can also be harmful. ​​​​​​​​
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🛀 If you have frequent baths or spas, it may be important to limit these if you’re wanting to conceive. It might also be a good idea to get your s***m checked, especially if you have a history of fever or wearing tight underwear. I’m always happy to help you check on your s***m health ☎️

📝 Wish lists are common when starting a fresh 🎉new year. However, keeping our resolutions can be difficult 😬🙋‍♂️ If you're planning to start or add to a family, one proven way to achieve your fertility goals is to:​​​​​​​​
✅ be resilient, ​​​​​​​​
✅ expect that setbacks can be part of any fertility journey,​​​​​​​​
✅ and stay committed to the process. ​​​​​​​​
Especially if assisted reproductive techniques are required to help you achieve your goal of having a baby. 👶🏻 📞

🥂🍾 Happy New Year! 🎉 Wishing you a safe and prosperous 2023 🗓​​​​​​​​
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🩺 If you have any fertility questions or concerns in the new year, I’m always happy to have a chat 📞

🏝 I hope you all have a happy and safe holiday period, and enjoy relaxing and celebrating with loved ones 🥂​​​​​​​​
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🎉 What’s your favourite part about this time of year? Let me know in the comments below 👇

📝 A survey conducted in Ireland found that 73% of men struggled to talk to friends and family about receiving fertility treatment, compared to 62% of women 👥 These large numbers are likely reflective of the taboo that still surrounds infertility in our society, particularly as it relates to men. While we don’t know whether similar statistics are present in Australian culture, it’s safe to assume that opening up about fertility treatment is difficult for men and women globally 🌏​​​​​​​​
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😔 If you know someone that is going through fertility treatment, it’s important to let them know that you support them and are always there to listen 🧏‍♂️ Many people going through fertility treatment might also benefit from talking to a professional, and making sure you have the most supportive fertility team possible 💪 I’m always happy to chat about your options or concerns 📞

⚖️🧬 It's a fact that infertility is frequently assumed to be a female issue, given the societal pressure on women to take responsibility for all family planning and child rearing 👶 However, men and women experience infertility equally - about 30% of infertility cases are due to male issues, and 30% are due to female issues. The remaining cases are either due to combined male and female infertility, or are unexplained 🤷‍♂️​​​​​​​​
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🩺 Regardless of gender, I’m always here to help you on your fertility journey. Get in touch with me today if you need some help or advice when starting your family ☎️

🧬 Signs you may be low in progesterone. 🩺​​​​​​​​
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💪 Progesterone is a hormone that is essential for a healthy and successful pregnancy. Therefore, women who are low in progesterone can often experience a struggle to conceive or carry a pregnancy to term. 👶​​​​​​​​
📍Here are some signs that you may be low progesterone: ​​​​​​​​
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🥚 Low libido​​​​​​​​
🥚 Hot flashes​​​​​​​​
🥚 Migraines or headaches​​​​​​​​
🥚 Mood swings​​​​​​​​
🥚 Irregular or absent menstrual cycles​​​​​​​​
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🧬 There are multiple ways to help improve levels of progesterone, such as hormone therapy and diet changes. 🥗​​​​​​​​
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👶 If you’re trying to conceive and are worried you may have low levels of progesterone, give me a call today. ☎️

💜🤷🏻‍♀️Sometimes in our hectic lives, it's hard to know where and when to begin a major life goal. That's especially true when planning for a family. 👶🏻 If your efforts have been unsuccessful there is always space to chat with a fertility specialist. 👨🏻‍🔬🔬That way you'll sort fact from fiction and find out what's impacting your attempts for a baby. Reach out today.📲

🤔 If you’ve been considering fertility treatment but are hesitant to take the next step, the NSW government is here to help! From the 1st of January 2023, a $2000 rebate with be accessible for those undergoing eligible fertility treatments 💵 This rebate will cover procedures like IVF, performed after the 1st of October 2022. So, there’s no better time than now to make an appointment with me to take advantage of this great opportunity ☎️👶

🤔 Did you know a fertility specialist can help with more than just falling pregnant? 👶​​​​​​​​
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🥚If you experience any of the following issues, fertility specialists like myself are here to help: ​​​​​​​​
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🌱 Irregular or painful periods or ovulation​​​​​​​​
🌱 Conditions like PCOS, endometriosis or menopause​​​​​​​​
🌱 Concerns around hormonal, ovarian or uterine health​​​​​​​​
🌱 Concerns around s***m health and male fertility​​​​​​​​
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👶 If you’re struggling to fall pregnant or are having issues with your reproductive system, contact a health or fertility professional like myself today. ☎️

🧬 Those dealing with infertility are probably familiar with the social pressures and stigma associated with not being able to naturally conceive a baby 💔 However, others may not be aware of the social hardship faced when diagnosed with infertility. Let’s take a look at some common struggles so that you can better support your loved ones facing infertility 👇​​​​​​​​
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💬 When couples or individuals decide to inform their loved ones about an infertility diagnosis, they’re often faced with unhelpful advice even from the most supportive friends or family members. Typically, those that have received an infertility diagnosis are already aware of their options or are in the process of exploring them, so make sure not to impose your own views or advice on them. Instead, offer a supportive ear and let them know that you’re always here to listen 👂​​​​​​​​
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📍Because of societally-imposed gender roles, women have traditionally been responsible for family planning and child rearing. Because of this, many assume that infertility must be due to female factors, and therefore may disregard the role of a male partner. It’s important to not make any assumptions when a loved one discloses their fertility struggles. Let them know that infertility is no one’s fault, and that they are more than their reproductive potential ❣️​​​​​​​​
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🌻 Infertility is a very personal struggle, and couples or individuals may not want to disclose every detail to those around them. Try to respect these boundaries, and don’t press for information. Just be there to support your loved one when they feel like talking 💚​​​​​​​​
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🩺 If you have a loved one who is seeking a fertility specialist to support them on their journey, let them know that they can get in touch with me ☎️

🗓 October is International Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month 💔 This month acknowledges and remembers the little ones that were gone too soon, and aims to increase awareness of infant loss globally 🌸 Every year, around 110,000 Australians experience a miscarriage, 2,200 people endure the pain of a stillbirth, and 600 lose their baby within 28 days of life. This Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month, try reaching out to those you might know who have felt the pain of child loss 💔 Let them know that they aren’t alone, and you are here to support them 🌱

💡 Did you know that there are two types of infertility? Let’s chat about primary and secondary infertility 👇​​​​​​​​
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🩺 Primary infertility refers to a person or couple who has never had a baby previously, and is unable to conceive after 12 months of unprotected s*x. ​​​​​​​​
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🧬 Secondary infertility can be more complex and confusing for those afflicted. This type of infertility refers to a person or couple that has already had a baby without any trouble, but is unable to conceive another after 12 months of unprotected s*x. ​​​​​​​​
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👶 Because those with secondary infertility have already had a baby without fertility issues, difficulty conceiving again can be perplexing 🤷‍♀️ It’s important to note that while previous success in falling pregnant can be a good predictive factor of your future fertility, it’s not a guarantee.​​​​​​​​
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🔬 Some common reasons that might cause secondary infertility include:​​​​​​​​
📍age-related fertility decline​​​​​​​​
📍fallopian tube damage​​​​​​​​
📍issues with s***m health ​​​​​​​​
📍problems with ovulation​​​​​​​​
📍complications from the last pregnancy​​​​​​​​
📍complications from surgery, including C-section​​​​​​​​
📍risk factor changes linked to lifestyle, such as smoking, drinking, weight gain, or malnutrition ​​​​​​​​
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👶 Whether you’re starting or growing your family, having trouble conceiving can be frustrating. It can help to get some guidance from a fertility specialist like me ☎️

⌚️ You may have seen recent news coverage about the new Apple Watch update and how it can help you track your fertility 👶 Let’s take a closer look 👇​​​​​​​​
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🍏 The Apple Watch Series 8 comes equipped with a fertility tracking feature that measures your nighttime wrist temperature and tells you when your basal body temperature is consistent with ovulation. This can then help you plan times during the month when pregnancy might be possible 👶​​​​​​​​
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🧬 This heralds a great advancement in technology, as monitoring basal body temperature was previously only possible with thermometers which can introduce human error. While monitoring your basal body temperature with a thermometer can provide good insight into your fertility window, it can be difficult to do this at the same time of day, and there can be variability in the way temperature is taken 🌡 With technology like the new Apple Watch, temperature can be taken while you’re sleeping and fully at rest, at consistent times of the day. This will ensure accurate readings of basal body temperature, and potentially better insights into ovulation 🥚​​​​​​​​
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🩺 If the Apple Watch is not for you, then I can always help you on your fertility tracking journey 📞

🥚While there are many different challenges that can come up during a couple’s fertility journey, sometimes the hardest thing can be staying positive and hopeful.🤞​​​​​​​​
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🌱A helpful reminder to keep in mind is that all of your efforts and challenges will be worth it when you find yourself at the end of a successful fertility journey. 👶​​​​​​​​
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🙏To begin your fertility and reproductive journey contact me today. ☎️

👂 Have you ever heard of tubal disease? Let’s break down this condition and talk about possible fertility solutions 👇​​​​​​​​
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🩺 Tubal disease occurs when a fallopian tube becomes blocked or damaged. This condition commonly leads to infertility, because egg release is no longer possible 🥚 Common causes of tubal disease include:​​​​​​​​
📍s*xually transmitted diseases​​​​​​​​
📍endometriosis​​​​​​​​
📍surgical damage​​​​​​​​
📍pelvic inflammatory disease​​​​​​​​
📍appendicitis ​​​​​​​​
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🔬 Tubal disease treatment depends on the cause, whether or not the condition is correctable, and the goals of the patient. Sometimes, it’s possible to repair or unblock the fallopian tube, which can increase chances of future pregnancy. However, in other cases, IVF may pose the best option for fertility as it bypasses the fallopian tubes. ​​​​​​​​
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🧬 If you’re experiencing general pelvic pain, pain during in*******se, fever, or abnormal vaginal discharge, it’s important to consult a medical professional and get checked for tubal disease. I’m always happy to help with your concerns 📞

💬 Let’s talk about how hypertension, or high blood pressure, can affect your fertility 👇​​​​​​​​
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🩸 When travelling through the body, your blood puts a certain amount of pressure on the walls of your arteries ♥️ High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, occurs when the pressure on the artery walls is too great. Hypertension can occur as the result of poor lifestyle choices, such as an unhealthy diet or lack of exercise. It’s also possible for hypertension to occur due to genetics or family history 🧬 Hypertension often has no symptoms, but if left untreated it can lead to stroke and heart disease. There is also evidence to suggest that hypertension negatively impacts fertility in both men and women 👶​​​​​​​​
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🔬 Reviews of current evidence have demonstrated that high blood pressure can lead to many negative s*xual and fertility outcomes (Guo et al., 2017; Navaneethabalakrishnan et al., 2020). In men, hypertension has been linked to:​​​​​​​​
📍lower semen volume​​​​​​​​
📍lower s***m motility​​​​​​​​
📍lower s***m count​​​​​​​​
📍erectile dysfunction​​​​​​​​
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🌱 In women, high blood pressure has been associated with:​​​​​​​​
📍decreased egg quality​​​​​​​​
📍trouble conceiving ​​​​​​​​
📍decreased vaginal lubrication​​​​​​​​
📍reduced or**sm​​​​​​​​
📍complications in pregnancy​​​​​​​​
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🍏 High blood pressure can often be resolved through lifestyle changes, but more severe cases may require medication 💊​​​​​​​​
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💭 If you think that hypertension might be contributing to your fertility struggles, then make an appointment to see a GP or a fertility specialist like me ☎️

🧬 How does your thyroid impact fertility? Let’s break it down 👇​​​​​​​​
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🩺 The thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland in the front of your neck. It’s responsible for producing and releasing hormones that are important for regulating vital bodily functions, such as:​​​​​​​​
📍breathing​​​​​​​​
📍heart rate​​​​​​​​
📍body weight​​​​​​​​
📍muscle strength​​​​​​​​
📍menstrual cycles​​​​​​​​
📍body temperature​​​​​​​​
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🔬Hyperthyroidism occurs due to too much hormone activity in the thyroid, while hypothyroidism involves too little hormone production. Both conditions involve changes in the menstrual cycle that might impact fertility. ​​​​​​​​
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🌱 Hypothyroidism might interfere with the release of an egg during ovulation, therefore making it difficult to conceive. Both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism increase the risk of miscarriage and premature birth. ​​​​​​​​
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💊 The good news: thyroid conditions can be treated with medication, allowing menstrual cycles to become more regular and fertility to increase. ​​​​​​​​
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👶 If you think that a thyroid condition might be impacting your ability to conceive, then make an appointment to see a GP or a fertility specialist like me ☎️🗓

💬 Let’s talk about vasectomies 👇​​​​​​​​
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🩺 A vasectomy is a procedure that prevents s***m from leaving the testicles and can be used as a form of contraception. Vasectomies are 99% effective at preventing pregnancies, and can be a great option for couples who don’t want more children or who want to avoid hormonal birth control 💊​​​​​​​​
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🩺 The procedure takes about 15-30 minutes, and is usually done under local anaesthetic. After the surgery, you will need to rest for about 24 hours and should be able to resume light activities after 2 or 3 days. ​​​​​​​​
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📍If you have a vasectomy, your s*x drive, hormones, and ability to reach or**sm will remain unaffected. The only change will be that your ej*****te no longer contains s***m and therefore egg fertilisation is not possible. ​​​​​​​​
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🌱 A vasectomy can be low cost compared to other contraception options, and is a quick and simple procedure that can be reversed if you decide to have children in the future. However, they may not be right for everyone, so it’s important to discuss your options with a doctor first. ​​​​​​​​
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🏥 Vasectomies are typically performed at vasectomy clinics or in day hospitals. In some instances, you can get a vasectomy at a GP. if you’re considering having your vasectomy reversed, I specialise in a minimally invasive vasectomy reversal technique, so make an appointment to see me 🗓☎️

🤔 Thinking about making a visit to a gynaecologist? Here’s what to expect at your first appointment 👇​​​​​​​​
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🩺 At your first appointment your doctor will take a full medical and surgical history, so make sure you have any relevant information ready before you go. If you have a few weeks or months until your appointment, it can be worthwhile to track your period and note any irregularities that might be important for your doctor to know.​​​​​​​​
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📍After assessing your history, your doctor can then start discussing any issues you’re having and why you have made the appointment. Depending on your symptoms or concerns, your doctor may decide to perform a pelvic exam, a cervical screening, or an abdominal or vaginal ultrasound to better assess what might be happening. Blood tests and x-rays may also be performed, depending on your symptoms or concerns.​​​​​​​​
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🌱 Gynaecologists can help you with concerns such as abnormal bleeding or pain, polycystic ovarian syndrome, abnormal cervical screening results, and endometriosis. I have experience in treating common gynaecological concerns, and am always happy to sit down and chat 🗓☎️

💤 Getting enough sleep is one of the best things you can do for your fertility 👶​​​​​​​​
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🌱 If you’re looking for ways to naturally boost your fertility, then sleep is a great place to start 😴 Getting enough sleep is imperative for all aspects of health, particularly hormone regulation 🧬 Research has shown that 7-8 hours of sleep each night improves levels of progesterone, estrogen, and other important reproductive hormones.​​​​​​​​
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😴 If you’re wanting to use sleep to improve your fertility, then here are some tips for better-quality Z’s:​​​​​​​​
📍Aim for 7 or 8 hours of sleep, but no more than 8​​​​​​​​
📍Try to establish a regular sleep pattern, falling asleep and waking up within the 10pm and 7am timeframe ​​​​​​​​
📍Limit caffeine intake after midday​​​​​​​​
📍Reduce exposure to computer or phone screens before bed​​​​​​​​
📍Try meditation or relaxation techniques if you struggle to fall asleep​​​​​​​​
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🌱 If lifestyle improvements haven’t lead to successful conception, then perhaps you need some extra help 🩺 Get in touch with me if you’re wanting to explore other fertility treatments 📞

😥 You may have heard of endometriosis, but let’s break down what it is and how it impacts fertility 👶​​​​​​​​
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😫 During the menstrual cycle, the lining of the uterus (endometrium) will thicken, break down, and bleed. Any endometrium inside the uterus will be able to exit the body, becoming what is known as a typical period 🩸However, endometrium can be found elsewhere. Endometriosis is a condition in which this endometrium grows on the outside of the uterus, instead of inside. Because the endometrium growing on the outside of the uterus has no way of exiting the body, significant pain and discomfort can be experienced during the menstrual cycle 😬​​​​​​​​
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🩸 Other symptoms of endometriosis include abnormal periods, heavy menstruation, irregular menstruation, and infertility. ​​​​​​​​
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👶 People with endometriosis may experience infertility due to:​​​​​​​​
📍abnormal anatomy of the pelvis​​​​​​​​
📍adhesions and scarred fallopian tubes​​​​​​​​
📍altered immune system functioning​​​​​​​​
📍hormonal changes and differences​​​​​​​​
📍altered egg quality​​​​​​​​
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🤔 If you think you might have endometriosis or that it might be impacting your fertility, then get in touch with me today to investigate your options 📞

🍆 Did you know that male factor infertility alone may account for up to 30% of all infertility cases? In fact, recent studies suggest that male related factors can contribute up to 50% of all infertility.👶​​​​​​​​
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📍There’s good reason for people with s***m to get tested when trying to conceive 🔬 While semen analyses can’t confirm fertility or infertility, they can provide good insight into s***m quality and quantity ⚖️ If you do receive low results from a s***m analysis – all is not lost! There are options to improve s***m health (like avoiding smoking and excessive drinking), and other fertility avenues like IVF 👶​​​​​​​​
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🔬 If you think a s***m analysis will help on your journey to conceiving, then give me a call today ☎️

👋 For those new to my page, my name is Dr Derek Lok, and I’m a fertility specialist and endoscopic microsurgeon with a Certificate in Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility (CREI) located in Sydney 🇦🇺 My services include IVF, reproductive surgery, treatment of male-factor infertility, treatment and management of endometriosis and PCOS, and s***m retrieval, among many others 🔬​​​​​​​​
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🏢 My consulting locations include Liverpool, Sydney CBD, Bella Vista, Burwood, Hurstville, and Chatswood. If you have any fertility or reproductive health concerns, I’m always here to help ☎️

Dr Derek Lok updated their business hours.

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Dr Derek Lok | Fertiliy & IVF Specialist | Sydney Dr Derek Lok specialises in male and female fertility and has a special interest in IVF, vasectomy reversal surgery and fibroid surgery.