If you would like a copy of this information on tape, in large print,
in Braille or in another language, please contact the Service
Equality Manager on 0116 258 4382.
Introduction to the
Fertility Clinic
Haddaad rabto warqadan oo turjuman oo ku duuban cajalad
ama qoraal ah fadlan la xiriir, Maamulaha Adeegga Sinaanta
0116 258 4382.
Eĝer bu broşürün (kitapçıĝın) yazılı veya kasetli açıklamasını
isterseniz lütfen servis müdürüne
0116 258 4382 telefonundann ulaşabilirsiniz.
December 2006. Due for review December 2009.
Directorate of Women’s, Perinatal & Sexual Health Services
Information leaflet
Please write down any questions or worries you
may have and your doctor will be happy to answer
them:
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What is this leaflet about and who is it for?
This leaflet is produced for couples looking for advice for
possible fertility problems, and to help you understand the
investigations and treatments you may need.
Fertility problems affect one in seven couples in the UK. Most
couples (about 84 out of every 100) who have regular sexual
intercourse (that is every two to three days) and do not use
contraception will get pregnant within a year. About 92 out of
100 who are trying to get pregnant do so within two years.
Women become less fertile as they get older. In women aged
35 about 94 out of 100 who have regular unprotected sexual
intercourse will get pregnant after three years; however in
women aged 38 only 77 out of every 100 will do so.
The effect of age upon men’s fertility is less clear. If you have
not been able to get pregnant after two years of regular
unprotected sexual intercourse either one or both of you may
have a fertility problem.
In men a fertility problem is usually because of low numbers or
poor quality sperm.
A woman may have fertility problems because she does not
produce eggs regularly or because her fallopian tubes are
damaged or blocked and the sperm cannot reach her eggs.
Unexplained - for nearly one third of people, no reason can be
found for their problem. This is known as having unexplained
fertility problems by healthcare professionals.
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What will happen when we get to the unit?
Useful addresses:
You will meet the members of the team. You will both be asked
questions about yourselves to help us to understand if you are
having fertility problems.
NICE guidelines:
www.nice.org.uk
NHS - Response line:
0870 1555 455
Initial assessment will include:
NHS - Smoking Helpline:
00800 1690 169
Female partner
www.givingupsmoking.co.uk
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Weight, height, blood pressure, body mass index. You may
require a general examination.
Pelvic examination - collection of swabs to rule out any
pelvic inflammatory disease.
Cervical smear test if required.
Ultrasound to check your womb and ovaries.
Do you feel that you are at risk of verbal or physical abuse?
If so, you may find the following numbers useful:
Domestic Violence Helpline:
0116 255 0004
Male partner
Women’s Aid:
0116 285 8079
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Refuge (24 hour crisis line):
0870 599 5443
You may require a general or lower abdominal examination.
Why am I having these investigations?
Body weight / Female partner
Women who have a BMI of more than 29 can take longer to
conceive. If you are overweight and you have irregular periods,
or no periods at all, losing weight may increase your chances of
getting pregnant.
Evidence shows that women who take part in group exercise
and diet programmes have a better chance of getting pregnant
than those who try to lose weight on their own.
If you are underweight - BMI less than 19 and have
experienced irregular periods you may find that if you
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Smoking
May reduce fertility in women. For men there is a link between
smoking and poorer quality sperm. The effect that smoking has
on a man’s fertility is not certain.
increase your weight up to a normal range your ovaries will start
working again, and so improve your chances of getting
pregnant.
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Passive smoking may affect a woman’s chances of falling
pregnant. Stopping smoking will improve your general health.
Body weight / Male partner
If your BMI is above 29 your fertility is likely to be lower than
normal and any weight loss would therefore be helpful to
increase the chances of conception.
Caffeine
Is a stimulant found in drinks such as tea, coffee, cola, and
chocolate. There has been little research into the effects of
caffeine on fertility problems.
Medicines & Drugs
The number of prescribed and over the counter medicines you
are taking, including recreational drugs such as cannabis,
cocaine and anabolic steroids may interfere with your fertility.
Blood Tests / Female Partner
You may be advised to have the following hormonal blood tests.
Hormones are chemical messengers secreted by glands into
the blood stream; they are assigned to a specific organ.
Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH)
This is a hormone produced by the pituitary gland. It stimulates
the follicles in the ovary to develop.
Folic Acid
Taking a tablet called folic acid in women when you are trying
for a baby and for the first twelve weeks of pregnancy reduces
the risk of having a baby with a condition such as spinal bifida..
Luteinising Hormone (LH)
Is a hormone produced by the pituitary gland. When LH rises it
completes the maturation of the egg, and then instigates the
rupturing of its follicle.
Complementary Therapies
Not enough studies looking at complementary therapy
treatments have been completed, further research is needed.
Progesterone
A female hormone produced after ovulation has occurred. It is
responsible for preparing and maintaining the womb lining after
ovulation.
Oestradiol
Causes the lining of the womb to become progressively thicker
during the first half of the menstrual cycle before ovulation.
Prolactin
A hormone produced by the pituitary gland. If present in
excessive amounts it causes milk secretion and cessation of
menstrual periods in women.
Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH)
It controls the rate of the body metabolism, growth and
development.
Rubella
Is to check your immunity to German measles. Infection with the
rubella virus can affect a baby in early pregnancy.
Diagnostic procedures
Hysterosalpingogram
Is an X-ray test, which involves the injection of a small amount
of dye through the cervix into the womb. It informs us about the
uterine cavity as well as the fallopian tubes. It is commonly used
to check if the tubes are blocked.
Laparoscopy and Dye Test
Is an examination to test the function of your tubes, we will bring
you into hospital and give you an anaesthetic and put a small
telescope into your abdomen to examine your abdomen and
tubes, we will then put dye through your fallopian tubes to see if
they are blocked or damaged.
Male Partner
You may need to have a sperm analysed. If there is a problem
we may refer you to another doctor with a special interest in
male fertility for further investigations.
Both partners blood tests
Hepatitis B&C
These viruses can affect the liver. The viruses may also be
passed from mother to baby during delivery. If we are aware
that you have Hepatitis B your baby can be immunised against
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the virus after birth. At present there is no vaccine to protect
against Hepatitis C.
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
This virus infects the immune system, which is important for
fighting infection. HIV can also be passed from mother to baby
during pregnancy. If a woman is found to be infected, she can
reduce the risk of passing the virus to her baby through drug
treatment during pregnancy, having a caesarean section, and
avoiding breastfeeding.
HIV and Hepatitis B & C can be contracted through unprotected
sexual intercourse with an infected partner or sharing needles
with an infected person.
Unless you are at high risk the chances of the test being
positive are very small.
Trying for a baby
There may be some things you can do as a couple to improve
your chances of getting pregnant. Please consult your doctor
who should tell you more about the following points.
Alcohol
A unit of alcohol is a small glass 125mls of wine or half a pint of
beer/lager.
Your fertility is unlikely to be affected if a woman does not drink
more than 1 or 2 units of alcohol once or twice a week. If a man
does not drink more than 3 or 4 units of alcohol a day, drinking
excessive amounts of alcohol can affect the quality of a mans
sperm.
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