Treatments for infertility
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What if you need treatment?
See your GP if you're concerned. You may just need a simple hormone drug to stimulate your ovaries or your doctor may recommend further treatment to investigate your fertility. Tests can show your hormone levels and blood count. A semen sample from your partner can be checked for sperm levels.
Other treatments, from donor sperm, to assisted conception techniques such as in vitro fertilisation (IVF) or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) where a single sperm is injected into the egg and then the embryo is placed back in the womb, will then be discussed with you.
IVF treatment
Around 24,000 couples opt for IVF (in vitro fertilization) treatment every year in the UK. About 8000 babies are conceived through IVF which involves removing eggs from the woman's ovaries and mixing them with either her partner's or a donor's sperm to fertilise. The fertilised eggs are then put back in the womb.
Do keep in mind that NHS treatment availability varies throughout the UK. You're entitled to at least one NHS cycle of IVF, but you may have to fund subsequent treatments yourself, which can be expensive. You may need several IVF treatments before you conceive and there's no guarantee then that you will end up with a baby. IVF treatment is quite gruelling and can take a lot out of a couple, so get as much help and support from family and friends or support groups as you can, and do be prepared for disappointment. Only about one in three women will become pregnant with IVF and some of these pregnancies will fail.
Choose a clinic that is licensed by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA), which regulates and inspects all clinics.
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Where to next?
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Be careful with medicines
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Ditch the cigarettes
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Fertility drugs 'don't work'
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Have more sex!
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'I'm pregnant with twins thanks to IVF!'
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'I thought we'd conceive straightaway'
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Keep a diary while you're trying to conceive
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Problems getting pregnant?
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Taking the stress out of trying for a baby
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Weight can affect your fertility
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What is the best age to have a baby?
Please leave a comment, tip or story in the box below
odion eboigbe, about 1 year
pls i need help, i got married five yrs ago we ve not been ably to have kids couse i have infertility problems i have been on pills ever since i just need help pls waiting to hear from you . best regards odion eboigbe.
Report this commentMRS,EMILY STERRETT, about 1 year
THANKS FOR THE ADVICE ,I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF SOMEONE CAN GIVE A REASON WHY WE CANT BECOME PREGNANT AFTER A MISCARRIAGE ,ESPECIALLY WHEN THE DOCTOR CANT FIND ANY REASON FOR THE PROBLEM.
Report this commentMuna, about 1 year
l read this and it's really helpful both to me and my partner.Thanks so much fo this page.
Report this commentRosalia Norberciak, about 1 year
I am 41 years old we have been trying for a baby for 3 years without success, also we had several different tests; everything looks normal , we were told that we have unexplaind infertility. i began to panic becouse of my age. we are thinking to go for an IVF or IUI we don't know where ?
Report this commentbola somuyiwa, about 1 year
pls, i will always need a copy of your article.i want use it as a guidelines ,because am very anxious to get pregnant
Report this commentchicara, about 1 year
I'm on 24 years of age but me and my partner have been trying for a baby in the last 2 years. I have read the article and think that it's wrong for woman with fertilitiy problems to only have IVF treatment once and then pay for the rest. The NHS can do alot more than what they actually do and this is the main reason young/older generation are stress for lack of trust and help.
Report this commentria, about 1 year
hi iv read all your imfo; me and my husband av been trying 4 over 10 yrs had all the checks at the hospital and both come bk good . could u please give us some advice on gettin preg as a family is so much wanted thanks yours greatfulie. ann-mariel
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fittieboy, 7 months
me and my gf have had unprotected sex for 3 years or more, nothink has happened she has had blood tests and they have came back fine! is it because im a vegetarian? do i need any supplments? i had tests done aswell and they are fine 2, please would any 1 be able 2 give me some advice! thank you!
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