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The World Health Organisation (WHO) recently revealed that 1 in 6 people worldwide are affected by infertility. Infertility is defined as being unable to get pregnant after one year of having regular, unprotected intercourse.
TFP Oxford Fertility, part of TFP Fertility UK, one of the UK’s leading IVF and fertility specialists, wants to support individuals and couples through their fertility journey by offering the information, advice and reassurance you need.
Expertise And Experience
There are many reasons to see a fertility specialist, but it must be the right time for you.
Fertility can be affected by your age, underlying conditions, and medical history. Around 1 in 7 couples experience infertility, and in more than 30% of those cases, male infertility is the cause.
When To Seek Help
You should see a fertility specialist if you’ve been trying to conceive for a year or more.
We recommend seeking advice sooner if:
- You have medical problems or problems with your menstrual cycle
- You’re aged 36 or over – the decline in your ability to conceive starts to speed up in your mid-30s (defined as advanced maternal age)
Getting Advice Sooner
You may know you have an underlying condition that may make a statistically significant difference in trying to conceive naturally and cause a natural decline in female fertility. If this is the case, you should seek advice from a fertility specialist sooner rather than later. They will be able to give you the information and options to help you decide what to do next.
Some of the reasons to see a fertility specialist include:
- Irregular or no periods
- Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
- Endometriosis
- Multiple miscarriages
- Cancer treatment
Male infertility can also be caused by underlying conditions such as:
- Erectile dysfunction
- Varicoceles
- History of undescended testicle(s)
- Cancer treatment
- Obesity
Fertility Assessments
You can have a fertility assessment for individuals or couples at a clinic, with various packages designed to suit your personal circumstances. You’ll have an initial assessment and be asked about your medical history and lifestyle.
There are some lifestyle factors that can affect fertility, including weight, smoking, alcohol, exercise, and stress. It may be recommended to make changes to your lifestyle to help you conceive.
Women can then be referred for tests to female and male academics, including blood tests to measure hormone levels and scans to check the ovaries, womb and fallopian tubes.
Men may be referred for semen analysis to check for any problems with sperm, such as low sperm count caused by natural age related decline.
If you’d like to talk to a fertility specialist or book a fertility assessment, visit TFP Oxford Fertility.
What is Infertility Awareness Week?
Infertility Awareness Week is an annual, seven-day event held to raise awareness and start conversations about infertility. It is held every year in April in the USA, and October in the UK.
The goal is to reduce the stigma surrounding infertility and provide support for those struggling to conceive and increase fertility knowledge. During the week, educational events are held to provide information about infertility, human reproduction, treatments, and resources. Additionally, many organizations hold fundraising events to support awareness and attitudes towards infertility, research and provide financial assistance for those in need.
- National Infertility Awareness Week (US): 23-29 Apr 2023
- National Fertility Awareness Week (UK): 31 Oct-4 Nov 2023
