A new fertility clinic in inner west suburb Croydon Park will offer hope for people who have felt let down or overlooked by conventional approaches to problems with reproductive health, including IVF.
The NaPro Life Centre founded by Dr Michael Azzi, a NaProTechnology medical consultant, with his wife Nadia Azzi, herself a FertilityCare practitioner intern, celebrated its opening on 9 September.
Among the dozens present were health professionals, staff representing the Maronite Catholic Diocese of Australia, New Zealand and Oceania, and the Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney and several members of clergy, including Maronite Bishop Antoine-Charbel Tarabay, who blessed the centre.
NaProTechnology, a form of restorative reproductive medicine, is an effective, natural alternative to IVF.
Through fertility awareness, detailed cycle observation and advanced diagnostics it seeks to identify the causes of reproductive disorders and treat conditions such as endometriosis, polycystic ovarian syndrome and hyperemesis gravidarium, drawing on a holistic approach that may include surgery, medication, or lifestyle changes.
While success rates vary based on individual factors and conditions, Dr Azzi asserts up to 70-80 per cent of couples conceive within the first year of NaPro treatment, and it is also associated with a greater than 70 per cent live birth rate following miscarriage.
The Azzis, who are themselves due to welcome the arrival of their third child, are joined in their work by FertilityCare practitioner intern Alexandra Ward and psychologist Dr Jaymee-Lee Chebli.
Dr Marie Rose Mouawad, founder of new pregnancy support service Teresa’s Centre, will join the team in November as a medical consultant.
“It’s humbling to see such talented people who are eager to contribute their skills and passions to this mission,” Dr Azzi said.
“The level of interest we’ve had has far exceeded my expectations which confirms for me how much this kind of care is needed.
“Naprotechnology is about restoring women’s health and helping couples achieve pregnancy in harmony with their natural cycles. It’s medicine that listens to the body instead of overriding it.
“For women, that can mean relief from years of painful periods or the return of normal cycles after frustration and confusion.
“For men, NaPro can address issues such as low sperm counts, hormonal imbalances, or structural abnormalities. For couples, it means the chance to conceive naturally after being told they have no hope.
“This clinic is really about being able to step in where others have stopped, to listen carefully, to uncover what has been overlooked and guide couples to real solutions. To me, this is not just medicine, it’s hope made visible.
“Many people today immediately think of IVF when they hear the word ‘infertility’, and IVF and other artificial reproductive technologies are widely known. But they don’t actually heal or restore, they work around the problem, often at great physical, financial, and emotional cost.
“Our goal is that Napro is seen as the first response for those with fertility challenges.” Sydney GP Dr John James praised the couple’s endeavour as a “tremendous step forward for fertility awareness and women’s health”.
“Young women in particular are keen to find out about other approaches to their fertility and general health.
“As a dedicated NaPro treatment centre it’s the first initiative of its kind to this extent I’m aware of and it’s wonderful to see.
“Not only will it provide a great service for the patients who attend, but I think it will become a focus for teaching medical students, doctors and other health professionals,” he said.
