Infertility is a condition which affects 15% of couples and is often a sensitive issue. It is defined as not being able to conceive after 12 months of regular sexual intercourse without the use of contraception. Infertility may be due to male or female factors, or a combination of both.

Age is also a contributing factor with natural fertility decreasing by 1% per year for every year for women after 35 years old.

Some main causes of infertility

Male infertility

• Low sperm volume
• Low sperm count
• Poor sperm motility
• Poor sperm survival (vitality)
• Poor morphology or abnormally-shaped sperm, resulting in failure to penetrate the egg

Female infertility

• Hormonal disorders, resulting in anovulation or failure of egg follicles to develop and be released
• Blocked fallopian tubes, which prevents the meeting of an egg and sperm (fertilisation)
• Hostile cervical mucus which can kill sperm
• Endometriosis which can cause tubal blockage and damage

Assessment & Treatment

Our fertility clinic offers a comprehensive and personalised service in a warm, caring and holistic setting. If you and your partner are experiencing difficulty in getting pregnant, you may wish to undergo an infertility assessment with our fertility gynaecologist. The assessment uses routine evaluation tests to help uncover the cause of the problem:

• Medical history and physical examination
• Ultrasound scan and Hysterosalpingography (HSG)
• Semen analysis
• Ovulation assessment
• Laparoscopy may be used to diagnose and remove endometriosis, pelvic adhesions or ovarian cysts. The patency of the fallopian tubes can also be assessed during laparoscopy.

Based on the results of these tests, treatments like ovulation induction, surgery to remove growths or adhesions, Superovulation Intra-Uterine Insemination (SO-IUI) or In-Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) may be recommended.