Infertility
For most couples, the birth of a child and parenthood lies at the heart of their life together, as is taken for granted as a normal expectation. But for some, that fulfilment proves elusive. One in six couples consult a specialist about difficulty in conceiving.

All the required elements must function together to achieve conception - ovulation, egg transport along the fallopian tubes, sperm production and delivery at the right time, fertilisation, and implantation of the fertilised egg in the uterus. Any can fail, causing infertility, and must be investigated to find the cause or causes (for example, blocked tubes or endometriosis). In the end, conception is down to chance - normally 25% each ovulation cycle in fertile couples. Some "infertile" couples will have simply been unlucky and may not need treatment for later success.

Treatments, according to need, include various methods of inducing ovulation, tubal microsurgery, or IVF. Sperm problems are the most difficult and may need special IVF techniques. Some couples opt instead for donor insemination while women with a premature menopause need IVF using donated eggs.

All these treatments are available at our Centre. When there are suitable alternatives for you, the final choice is yours.

This decision can be very difficult, with choices between complex, costly treatments having a good chance of success, like IVF, or simpler, inexpensive methods which are less likely to succeed. More difficult emotional choices involve the use of donor sperm or eggs. Other health factors, such as risks associated with being overweight, may also need to be taken into account when treatment options are considered. The hardest decision is whether to have treatment at all, or when to give up and to consider other needs in your life. This requires skilled counselling, an important element of our services.
 

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