The causes of infertility vary between individuals, but ultimately result in a couple’s inability to conceive a child. Infertility is not wholly uncommon, with 1 in 6 to 1 in 7 couples in the UK affected (HFEA figures, provided by the NHS).
Specialist-led fertility investigations could help identify a course of fertility treatment for you
What causes infertility for men and women?
Common causes of infertility can include infrequent ovulation, which may be caused by polycystic ovary syndrome, being under or over weight, or simply a woman’s age, which can affect the regularity and quality of eggs available for fertilisation. A woman may also have a problem with her fallopian tubes, such as blockages or infection.
Increasingly, women are choosing to put pregnancy and starting a family on hold to spend more time developing a career. While this may suit many modern couples, it introduces the risk that age can affect a woman’s chances of becoming pregnant. After 35, a woman is half as fertile as she was when she was 25, and this figure continues to subsequently decline.
Causes of infertility can also reside in the man, and can include low sperm count, genetic conditions that affect the quality of sperm, or blockages in the vas deferens - the ducts which carry sperm from the testes to the urethra.
In some cases, the reason for a couple’s infertility is unexplained, which, while providing no answers for a couple trying for a baby, does indicate the intricate nature of conception and how much more is yet to be achieved in the field of fertility medicine.
Can I access treatment straight away?
At IVF Scotland you may self-refer at any time, meaning that fertility treatment is available when you feel it most appropriate for your life. At IVF Scotland there are no waiting times for treatment and appointments with our consultants can be arranged quickly (typically within seven days). What's more, because you can self-refer you needn't wait to see your GP before accessing our service. Our individualised approach to fertility care means that our fertility treatment programmes will be as unique as your needs.
Click here to read more about lifestyle and infertility