Key facts about infertility
The best way to get pregnant is to have regular sex, 2-3 times a week, every week.
If you have difficulty getting pregnant there are lots of places you can go to for advice and support – and there are lots of different types of treatment on offer. Some of it will be free on the NHS, and lots of it won’t.
What you will be offered and what you might have to pay for, depends on where you live and other factors; such as your age, and whether you already have children.
As with most things to do with your health, the first place to try is your GP. Fertility problems are often complex so you might want to try asking your GP receptionist if you can have a ‘double appointment’ (i.e. 20 rather than 10 minutes). Take your partner with you to the appointment. Have some information ready for your GP appointment:
- A diary of periods, how often, are they regular? https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/periods/fertility-in-the-menstrual-cycle/
- What previous contraception has been used and when was it stopped?
- How much you smoke and drink
- Previous pregnancies in either partner
- Other health conditions.
Once you have met with your GP you may be referred for tests, such as blood tests (for women) and semen analysis (for men). Your GP may also refer you to the fertility team at your local hospital.
Not all fertility treatment is NHS-funded and you may have to fund some of it privately.
There are lots of websites where you will find supportive and comforting advice from others who have suffered with fertility problems. Do try to use websites that are based in the UK such as MumsNet.
Be very cautious about paying for alternative therapies, such as reflexology and aromatherapy. They may claim to help with fertility problems. There is no evidence that they help.
Summary
We have described what the key facts about infertility. We hope it has helped you.
Other resources
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/infertility/ (NHS website)
https://www.supportline.org.uk/problems/pregnancy-and-infertility-support/
