Infertility and Reproductive Endocrinology

1 in 6 couples experience difficulty conceiving and many of these require assistance to achieve their dream of a family. It is advisable to have tried to conceive for at least 12 months before seeking help, except if you already know that there is a problem with one or both partners.

When trying to conceive, it is best to have intercourse regularly (2-3 times each week) rather than concentrating intercourse around the presumed time of ovulation. We do not recommend temperature charts and other ovulation test kits in women with regular menstrual periods as they add further strain to the couple at an already difficult time and do not improve the chances of conception if the couple are having regular intercourse.

MG provides the full scope of fertility investigations and treatment to assist couples when they experience delay in conceiving. We provide a culturally sensitive and individualised service to ensure that every couple that comes to us leaves with complete satisfaction.  We provide the following services:

Full baseline investigations of both partners

These are performed over one menstrual cycle and include assessment of female ovarian reserve and ovulation using blood tests and scan; assessment of fallopian tube patency using ultrasound; and assessment of sperm function. Women who irregular ovulation or periods may be required to have additional blood tests/scans.

Outpatient tubal patency test (HyCoSy)

We prefer to check normality (patency) of the fallopian tubes using an ultrasound based test called HyCoSy. This outpatient procedure takes about 30 minutes. The test is usually well tolerated and provides us with a conclusive result in 9 out of 10 procedures.

Ovarian reserve tests

These tests help us to estimate the functional age and so fertility potential of women’s ovaries.  We undertake both blood and ultrasound (antral follicle count) tests of ovarian reserve.

Ovulation induction and follicle tracking

MG provides an ovulation induction service in women who do not ovulate on their own using tablets or injections. Women undergoing this treatment are closely monitored by blood tests and ultrasound scans to ensure optimal response to stimulation. 

Ovarian drilling (for polycycstic ovary syndrome)

MG provides laparoscopic ovarian drilling for women with polycystic ovary syndrome who do not respond satisfactorily to ovulation induction treatment. We normally offer this before or after gonadotrophin treatment before considering IVF. 

Intrauterine insemination (IUI) with partner sperm

IUI may improve the chances of conceiving in couples who have difficulty having intercourse and those with mild sperm abnormalities. It is cheaper and less complicated than IVF. MG offers the option of 4-6 cycles of IUI in suitable couples before IVF.

In vitro fertilisation (IVF)

IVF involves stimulating the female to produce a large number of mature eggs and collecting and mixing these with sperm from her partner or a donor. The best 1-2 eggs that fertilise are then transferred back into her womb. 

Intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI)

ICSI is a form of IVF that involves stimulating the female to produce a large number of mature eggs and injecting these with sperm from her partner or a donor. The best 1-2 eggs that fertilise are then transferred back into her womb. 

Donor insemination

Donor insemination involves introducing washed donor sperm into the womb of women at the time of ovulation (either natural or induced). This treatment is beneficial for couples where the male partner does not have any sperm of his own, single women, and same-sex couples. 

IVF/ICSI with donated gametes

This involves performing the procedure of IVF or ICSI using donated eggs and/or sperm. This treatment is beneficial for couples where the female and/or male partner(s) do not have eggs and/or sperm of their own.

IVF/ICSI with egg sharing

This involves performing the procedure of IVF or ICSI using donated eggs from a woman (the donor) who is having IVF treatment in the same cycle. This treatment is beneficial in situations where a female with good ovarian function (the donor) is unable to afford the full cost of an IVF cycle but is willing to share her eggs with another female (the recipient) who can afford to cover most of the costs of the donor. The recipient effectively pays for the treatment and the eggs retrieved from the donor are divided up between donor and recipient using a pre-agreed formula. 

Epididymal sperm aspiration (PESA)

This procedure is used to obtain sperm from the bag around the testes of men who ordinarily do not produce sperm by themselves for use in IUI or IVF/ICSI.

Testicular sperm extraction (TESE)

This procedure is used to obtain sperm from the testes of men who ordinarily do not produce sperm by themselves for use in IUI or IVF/ICSI. 

Egg/Sperm preservation

MG provides a sperm and egg freezing service for clients who require this. This is beneficial for people who need to preserve their eggs/sperm for whatever reason for future use, for instance before undergoing treatment that has the potential to render them infertile.

Counselling

MG recommends and provides counselling for couples going through fertility assessment and treatment in recognition of the stressful nature of this condition. Please ask us how we can help you with this.