Female infertility

Female infertility: putting you back in control

The reproductive system is very complex, and it takes only one small thing in a process of hundreds to make it difficult to conceive. 

There are a number of causes of infertility in women, either: 

• Problems with ovulation
• Age
• Scarring from previous surgery
• Cervical mucus problems
• Fibroids
• Endometriosis
• Side effects of medicines or drugs, including non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, chemotherapy, neuroleptic medicines or spironolactone

Ovulation problems can be caused by:

• Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
• Thyroid problems
• Premature ovarian failure – when the ovaries stop working before the age of 40

Many women have no infertility symptoms at all, and have no reason to suspect they are infertile until they start trying to get pregnant.

Aside from having trouble conceiving, infertility symptoms can vary significantly from one woman to another. The most common female infertility symptoms may include:

• Pain during sex
• Irregular menstrual cycle
• Dark or pale menstrual blood
• Painful and heavy periods
• Hormonal changes
• Underlying medical conditions such as endometriosis or PCOS

Understanding why you’re not conceiving is absolutely vital before we start any treatment, as there are a number of factors that can impact female fertility. 

Depending on what stage of your journey you are on, you could either book in for an initial female fertility review, which is a good starting point for assessing fertility and identifying any future concerns. 

The Female Fertility Review is a good starting point for assessing fertility and identifying any future concerns. It includes: a consultation, an ultrasound scan, an AMH (ovarian reserve) blood test and a TSH (thyroid function) blood test.

Or, if you are ready for a conversation about fertility treatment, you can book in for an Initial Consultation with one of our fertility consultants, where they will conduct blood tests and ultrasound scans – to monitor and diagnose any fertility issues – and discuss your situation and options, to maximise your chances of conceiving your own biological child.

Additional tests such as a hysteroscopy – an inspection of the womb and cervix to identify any uterine conditions – or a laparoscopy to check for any blockages and blood tests to check for hormone levels and whether you are ovulating, can be arranged at this consultation for an additional cost.

There are a number of ways to treat different female infertility conditions, and our combined focus and expertise in gynaecology and fertility sets us apart when considering what is right for you, maximising your chances of becoming pregnant.

The below treatment options can all be undertaken in our state-of-the-art facility.

• Laparoscopy – We are leading UK experts in laparoscopic surgeries
• Mymectomy – This procedure involves the surgical removal of fibroids
• IVF – Where eggs and sperm are introduced in culture and left to fertilise overnight
• ICSI – Where a single sperm is injected into a mature egg to fertilise
• Fertility Preservation – Gametes and embryos are stored for the future
• PGT-A – Embryos are tested for chromosomal abnormalities
• IUI – Sperm is transferred into the womb
• Ovulation Induction – Stimulating follicle growth for ovulation