Are you worried about your ability to conceive, or concerned that you are not falling pregnant quickly enough? Well, the most important thing to know is you that you are not alone. One in six couples in Australia has difficulty conceiving due to a fertility related problem. People are often surprised to hear this statistic and that difficulty conceiving is so common. Difficulty conceiving naturally does not mean you cannot have children of your own. Thanks to science there are many options available to help treat the various causes of infertility.
First up, what is infertility? The common definition of infertility is when a couple has not conceived after one year of regular unprotected intercourse when the woman is under 35 years of age, or after six months for women aged over 35. This in no way implies that infertility is due to the woman, but rather it is a guideline to follow. If you have been trying for this long then it is time to seek medical help. And experience tells us that the longer a couple waits to seek help, the more it can adversely affect their chance of conceiving. You can seek the advice of a fertility specialist at any time if you become worried or have specific concerns about your fertility.
What causes infertility? Infertility can be caused by a great number of factors. These include cancer treatment, chronic diseases such as diabetes and hypothyroidism, excessive or very low body fat, sexually transmitted infections (past or current), low sperm count, mumps after puberty, fallopian tube damage, ovulation issues, endometriosis, fibroids, and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) – amongst many others. Infertility is in fact caused equally by the man or the woman, or a combination of both partners.
So where do I start? At Westmead Fertility Centre we offer free chats with our fertility nurses who can answer any questions you may have about getting pregnant, the latest fertility treatments available, next steps, and how to set up an initial consultation with a specialist. Our fertility nurses have extensive experience and are a great resource for you to speak with someone knowledgeable, warm and understanding. This is a no obligation free chat, and we encourage you to take advantage of the opportunity. To get started simply complete this online form.
We also run information events, presented by our expert team. These presentations are a great opportunity to learn more about your fertility, treatment options, how to get started, the science of embryology, our affordable pricing model, and more. Bookings are essential to attend the free information sessions and you can register here to attend an event.
In closing, just remember you are not alone. To read about the journeys of some of our patients who have generously shared their experiences so you can see you are not alone – visit our Patient Experiences.
We look forward to assisting you on your fertility journey.
