Infertility is defined as the inability to conceive a pregnancy after 12 months of unprotected sexual intercourse 

There are many causes of infertility, which involve the male, female or a combination of factors. These include problems with production of sperm or eggs, structure or function of male or female reproductive systems and/or hormonal and immune conditions. 

Female fertility can be affected by

• a woman’s age

• tubal disease or problems with the fallopian tubes

• ovulation disorders

• endometriosis

• polycystic ovarian syndrome

• fibroids

• Salpingitis (Pelvic inflammatory disease) caused by sexually transmitted disease.

Male fertility can be affected by problems with sperm production or the transport process such as:

• Blocked / absent vas deferens (tubes)

• Less sperm count and/or poor sperm production

• High numbers of abnormally shaped sperm

• Failure of sperm production

• Anti-sperm antibodies

• Sperm DNA fragmentation

• Genetic diseases such as cystic fibrosis or a chromosomal abnormality

Following some routine tests and investigations, your fertility specialist can formulate a personalised treatment plan with you, beginning, where possible, with the simplest most natural options to cure infertility. This is a boon for childless couples.  

There is a wide variety of fertility treatment options available including:

• Ovulation cycle tracking to help confirm ovulation and pin point your fertile window

• Ovulation induction to help encourage ovulation with medications

• Artificial insemination

• In vitro fertilisation

• Fertility surgery

• Advanced science such as pre-implantation genetic diagnosis for genetic conditions

A woman’s age is the single most important factor affecting a couple’s chances of conceiving. That’s why it is strongly recommended you seek assistance after 6 months of trying if you are over the age of 35, and after 12 months of trying if you are under 35.