Testing, Author at Herts & Essex Fertility Centre https://hertsandessexfertility.com/author/michael/ World class fertility centre. Outstanding success rates. Fri, 12 Jun 2026 07:10:29 +0000 en-GB hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.0 Why you should consider egg freezing if you want to delay motherhood https://hertsandessexfertility.com/do-you-know-how-many-eggs-are-left-in-you-all-you-need-to-know-about-ovarian-reserve-and-fertility/ Mon, 15 May 2023 07:40:30 +0000 http://hertsandessexfertility.com/?p=1613 Mr. David Ogutu, Medical Director at Herts & Essex Fertility Centre

The post Why you should consider egg freezing if you want to delay motherhood appeared first on Herts & Essex Fertility Centre.

]]> https://hertsandessexfertility.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Do-you-know-how-many-eggs.jpgAll you need to know about ovarian reserve and fertility. Most women are aware and conscious of their ticking ‘biological clocks’. However, as they have better opportunities in education and the workforce nowadays they choose to have their children later in life. The vast majority of women will have no difficulties conceiving and having babies. But, 1 in 6 couples will have difficulty conceiving. Many will be able to conceive naturally following medical or surgical treatment and some will require extra support to conceive and usually will need in vitro fertilisation (IVF) with their eggs or with donor eggs.

What is the most important factor for a successful pregnancy?

The main factor for a successful pregnancy resulting in a successful birth is the quality of eggs. The best measure of the quality is usually the age of the woman.

Are women born with a set number of eggs or do they continue producing eggs during their lives?

Women are born with a set number of eggs which they use for the rest of their reproductive life. They do not produce any new eggs over the years. The average female fetus has around 5 million eggs in their ovaries by 20 weeks of pregnancy. During development within its mother’s womb, the fetus will lose more than half of the eggs, with the average baby girl having around 2 million eggs at birth. During growth and development in childhood, more than half of the eggs will be lost, and by puberty (teenage years), the egg reserve will drop to 0.5 to 1 million eggs. These immature eggs are all dormant (asleep). However, at the beginning of each menstrual cycle (monthly period), a small number of immature eggs will be recruited (woken up) from this egg pool. The recruited eggs can be seen as tiny fluid-filled sacs in the ovaries with an ultrasound scan. These are known as antral follicles and on average there would be 5 – 10 in each ovary.

How does ovulation happen?

The pituitary gland in the brain produces a hormone known as follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). FSH does exactly what the name suggests, stimulating one out of all the follicles that exist in the ovary that month. The selected and stimulated follicle will develop and pop in mid-cycle, releasing a mature egg. This process is known as ovulation. The rest of the follicles will eventually die off over the following weeks, and the same process will be repeated in each cycle. This is why the pool of eggs a woman holds is gradually reduced over time. Menopause kicks in when around 1,000 immature eggs are left in the ovaries. Only 400-450 eggs out of the pool of millions get to ovulate during a woman’s reproductive life. The rest die off. Their better-quality eggs are usually released when a woman is at a younger age and this is why is easier to get pregnant. As women get older, the quantity and quality of eggs reduce, which explains why it takes longer to get pregnant and the reason miscarriage rates increase due to chromosomally abnormal embryos. The rate of chromosomal abnormalities such as Down’s syndrome also increases.

How can your ovarian reserve be measured?

The follicles within an ovary produce a hormone called Anti- Müllerian Hormone (AMH). The more eggs a woman has in reserve, the more antral follicles will be recruited and the higher the AMH level will be, and vice versa. Between three to four in ten women will be born with an above-average egg reserve and tend to recruit more than 12 antral follicles in each ovary. For this reason, their AMH levels will be very high. The ovaries will be larger than average. These are known as polycystic ovaries (PCO). Most women with PCO have no fertility problems and tend to go through menopause later than average. However, some women with PCO may not release an egg every month (resulting in long menstrual cycles or no periods at all) or have higher-than-average testosterone levels. These testosterone levels can be identified in blood tests or could cause acne or excessive body hair. This condition is known as polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). It is important to clarify that the AMH levels determine the quantity, but not the quality of the eggs.

AMH test helps you to plan ahead

AMH testing can benefit any woman or couple, regardless of age:
  • Younger women who may not be ready to start a family now and would like to be reassured that time is on their side
  • Women whose mothers have had early menopause will be determined by their risk of early menopause
  • Women of advancing maternal age (over 35 years of age), or when circumstances dictate.
Please note that the AMH test is a snapshot of the female egg reserve and is not a guarantee for the future. Retesting should be carried out in individuals who are looking to delay the onset of motherhood following an AMH result. If you would like more information about AMH or would like to book an appointment for AMH testing please call us on 01992 78 50 60.]]> Baby Celebration – 23 July 2022 https://hertsandessexfertility.com/baby-celebration-23-july-2022/ Mon, 08 Aug 2022 19:05:42 +0000 https://hertsandessexfertility.com/?p=4044 We hosted our first Baby Celebration for our families who had babies during Covid and it was a huge success! It was a beautiful hot summer’s day with a cool ...

The post Baby Celebration – 23 July 2022 appeared first on Herts & Essex Fertility Centre.

]]> https://hertsandessexfertility.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Baby-Party-Collage.png
  • “So lovely to meet some of you at the baby celebration day! You are all amazing x”
  • “Had such an amazing day on Saturday at the baby celebration!! xxx”
  • “Ah, it was lovely to see you all and finally have cuddles. The clinic will always have a special place in our hearts for helping us have the family we dreamed of x”
  • “Thank you so much for the lovely time on Saturday and thank you for their teddy bears. We all had a great time xx”
    • ]]>         Top 10 Fertility Myths Now Busted https://hertsandessexfertility.com/top-10-fertility-myths-now-busted/ Sat, 26 Feb 2022 08:00:27 +0000 http://hertsandessexfertility.com/?p=1594 There are many misconceptions around infertility and fertility treatments in general and we’ve decided to explain why some of these mislead people or couples trying to conceive. 01: Infertility Is ...

    The post Top 10 Fertility Myths Now Busted appeared first on Herts & Essex Fertility Centre.

    ]]>     https://hertsandessexfertility.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Top-10-fertility-myths.jpg01: Infertility Is a Female Problem – Myth Busted Infertility is the inability of a person to reproduce by natural means and can occur in both men and women. Heterosexual couples may struggle to conceive naturally either due to fertility problems that may occur in one partner or even both. Heterosexual couples can also experience unexplained infertility which means that the available examinations and tests conducted may not explain what causes the infertility. LGBTQ couples or single people can also struggle with fertility. Most commonly called: situational infertility, because biologically they cannot have a child. In other words, they may need fertility treatments, like insemination with a sperm donor, or treatment using donor gametes (donor eggs/donor sperm/donor embryo) or the help of a surrogate to carry the pregnancy. In cases of same sex female relationship they may face medical causes of infertility on top of situational infertility, it may be that one or both female partners, are unable to conceive because they have an underlying fertility problem and may require fertility drugs or other treatments in addition to needing a sperm donor. 02: Male ejaculation equals fertility – Myth Busted Men with male infertility have no visible or obvious signs that something is wrong. A healthy erectile function and normal ejaculation does not guarantee that your sperm is functionally normal. Some men have 100% antibodies, which may be the reason no fertilization with an egg happens despite normal sperm count numbers. It’s a myth that if a man’s fertility is compromised, then his sexual performance will also always be affected, as some will not have any sexual problems. Abnormalities with sperm count, shape, and movement are not always the cause of male infertility. You can’t tell there is a problem with your sperm only by looking at semen. The functionality of sperm can be tested using some special tests like DNA fragmentation tests or Hyaluronan Binding Assay (HBA analysis), which give more information on the functional analysis. Semen is also made up of fluids and mucus rich in sugars, amino acids, hormones, and minerals, all intended to support the sperm cells and help keep them alive outside of the man’s body and if any of these parameters are not optimal, this may also contribute to no fertilization. 03: Age doesn’t matter, there’s Always IVF – Myth Busted There is a common misconception that if age-related infertility does strike, you can always do IVF. This is far from the truth, because just as your natural fertility declines with age, your odds for success with IVF treatment also decline with age. For women less than 35 years of age, who have normal ovarian reserve, 30- 35% percent of IVF cycles, will lead to the livebirth of a baby. For women ages 38 to 40, the success rate drops to almost half. Very few women aged 43 to 44, will have a livebirth using their own eggs. Women may opt to consider donor egg treatment if age-related infertility stands in the way of parenthood, but treatment using donor eggs may not always guarantee success. 04: Clomid Can Help Anyone Get Pregnant Faster – Myth Busted Clomiphene citrate (Clomid) is an anti-estrogen drug to stimulate ovulation in women with irregular or absent ovulation. But if you don’t have any of these problems, ovulation induction may not help. In fact, Clomid reduces the fertile quality of cervical mucus. It makes cervical fluids stickier and less abundant. Cervical mucus helps sperm survive and swim from the cervix up into the reproductive system. There are several other drugs used for ovulation induction viz Tamoxifen, Letrozole. If you don’t have problems that indicate ovulation induction, then it may not improve your fertility. 05: Egg reserve can reduce or finish if many eggs are collected at egg collection – Myth Busted In a natural cycle, depending on ovarian reserve, women ovulate with mostly 1or 2 eggs, and have some others which wither away in that month as not all of these are suitable for ovulation due to natural hormone levels. In treatment cycles medication helps stimulate most of those recruited follicles in that month to get them ready for egg collection. In the following month there will be newer follicles recruited again depending on ovarian reserve. 06: IVF Frequently leads to higher-order pregnancies- Myth Busted Out of all the available types of fertility treatments, IVF is the least likely to lead to a higher-order pregnancy with triplets, quadruplets or more. With IVF treatment, embryos are transferred back to the uterus, and most reproductive specialists will transfer one and in some circumstances not more than two embryos at a time. In fact, elective single embryo transfer is becoming more popular. This is the safe option recommended to most patients to have a healthy, singleton pregnancy. There is always still a minuscule risk of identical twins despite single embryo transfer. 07: After embryo transfer, the embryo slips out if you stand up quickly – Myth Busted This is a common concern in women having an embryo transfer that mobilizing quickly or going to the toilet will make the embryo slip out, which is not true as the embryo is microscopic in the folds of endometrium, and no amount of movement will make it slip out. Another common query amongst women after embryo transfer is whether they should just lie in bed. In fact moving about is recommended for good circulation and vital for minimizing risks of clots. Gentle walks in the fresh air are good for healthy pregnancy. 08: After IVF you cannot have an Ectopic pregnancy – Myth Busted Putting the embryo back in the uterus does not mean it cannot transport back further and implant in any other ectopic area like the fallopian tubes, cervix , ovary or cornual area of uterus: which is not conducive to a healthy pregnancy and may entail surgical management in some cases. This is higher where there is underlying disease pathology in these ectopic areas. 09: If you already have a child, you don’t need to worry about Fertility- Myth Busted Secondary infertility is when a couple has difficulty getting pregnant after they have conceived a child naturally in the past. Unfortunately, a previous successful pregnancy doesn’t guarantee fertility success in future. Changes come with time and age in fertility. It could be related to an underlying new medical or gynaecological condition or a fertility condition that always existed and got worse and while it didn’t prevent pregnancy in the past, now it has become a problem. Occasionally a previous pregnancy could cause a fertility problem is cases of surgical complications or infections after childbirth. 10: IVF treatment will definitely get you Pregnant – Myth Busted This simply isn’t true. Success after any form of fertility treatment is not guaranteed. With treatments, you could move to using an egg donor, sperm donor, embryo donor or a surrogate and may still not be successful. This process can include tremendous amount of time, emotions and financial cost. Moving on is an option everyone should be able to take without any guilt that the next cycle could have been the one. Yes, maybe it could have been but it also might not have, and you are only doing your best in your situation. Infertility and fertility treatments can be overwhelming as there is a lot of misleading information. How can you know what’s right in your case? Talk to a fertility specialist doctor for clarifications on your personal situation, medical diagnosis and treatment options.]]>     The Fertility Podcast Collection https://hertsandessexfertility.com/the-fertility-podcast-collection/ Tue, 05 May 2020 17:38:19 +0000 https://hertsandessexfertility.com/?p=2496 Shining a light on infertility one podcast at a time The Fertility Podcast was born out of an IVF pregnancy and Natalie’s motivation to combine her 15 years of professional ...

    The post The Fertility Podcast Collection appeared first on Herts & Essex Fertility Centre.

    ]]>     https://hertsandessexfertility.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/podcast-e1588860124501.jpgShining a light on infertility one podcast at a time The Fertility Podcast was born out of an IVF pregnancy and Natalie’s motivation to combine her 15 years of professional broadcasting, voiceover and interviewing skills with her personal experience of trying to conceive. The Fertility Podcast work with brands wanting to help cut through the mass of confusing and often conflicting information about fertility and infertility to create evergreen digital content. What started as a passion project is now a significant and respected voice within the fertility space. In June 2019, Fertility nurse consultant Kate Davies joined Natalie to co-host the podcast making it the only expert & patient hosted fertility podcast. The Fertility Podcast is on a mission – to educate and empower men and women who are trying to conceive and to be a bridge between the fertility industry and those seeking information using our established podcast channel. From Male Fertility issues to Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), Endometriosis, Miscarriage and involuntary childlessness, the podcast library of over 250 episodes covers all aspects of fertility and is published on all major podcast apps. The Fertility Podcast was also the first to be produced in the UK and is the go to podcast for the industry, including The Fertility Show, The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority and Fertility Fest. The content below is from an external website. Herts & Essex Fertility Centre has no control or input in the content or availability of linked sites.
    ]]>         Announcing the Winners of our Free IVF treatment and 40 Fertility Consultations https://hertsandessexfertility.com/announcing-the-winners-of-our-free-ivf-treatment-and-40-fertility-consultations-2/ Thu, 20 Sep 2018 07:07:48 +0000 http://hertsandessexfertility.com/?p=1596 We want to send a big thank you to everyone who showed interest and participated in our competition for a Free IVF Treatment and 40 Free Fertility Consultations and helped ...

    The post Announcing the Winners of our Free IVF treatment and 40 Fertility Consultations appeared first on Herts & Essex Fertility Centre.

    ]]>     https://hertsandessexfertility.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Announcing-the-Winners.jpg Couple  Name Location Sophie Mohammad Epsom Sarah-Lou N/A REDBOURN Crystal David West Sussex Melanie Robert Chatham, Kent Bethan Kieron Burnham on crouch Kathryn Nicole Biggleswade Lauren Tommy Epping Olga Jurij Rainham Heather Tony Wickford Billie-Jo Danny Rochford Kirsty Joe Basildon Klaudia Zsolt London Jenna Daniel Bedfordshire Reena Mohammed Irfan Slough Jana Spencer Middlesbrough Nichola Sam Bromsgrove Yvonne Shephard Dartford Kerry-Anne Anthony Stevenage MILLICENT Anthony Hemel Hempstead Laura Adam Farnborough Michelle Jason Romford Rachel Danny Witham (Essex) Emma Roy Hemel Hempstead Emma Tom Southend on sea Laura Terry Chelmsford Kate Brigitte James Westcliff on sea Leah Jason Newport Mihaela Costin Warrington Nacera Mahfoud Harlow LEEANN John BELFAST Mariam Muhammad Newcastle upon Tyne Pippa Adam Ipswich Gemma Paul Broxbourne Victoria Gary Bedford Michelle George Erith Paige Paul Basildon, Essex Hannah Alison Basildon Louise N/A Birmingham Satish Kumar Swetha ILFORD Bhumika Chirag Wembley Congratulations to All! We will be contacting each and everyone via phone or email. Please call the clinic on 01992785060, by Tuesday the 25th of September to claim your prize and book your appointment. All the appointments will be booked in a first come first serve basis. We will also be contacting the people who were not selected within the next few weeks to answer any questions they might have and discuss how the clinic can support them.]]>     Herts and Essex Fertility Centre Sperm Bank https://hertsandessexfertility.com/herts-and-essex-fertility-centre-sperm-bank-2/ Thu, 31 May 2018 07:11:42 +0000 http://hertsandessexfertility.com/?p=1598 Last night Channel 4 aired ‘4 Men 175 Babies: The UK’s Super Sperm Donors’ – this worrying documentary highlighted the growing phenomenon of women looking to conceive from unregulated sperm ...

    The post Herts and Essex Fertility Centre Sperm Bank appeared first on Herts & Essex Fertility Centre.

    ]]>     https://hertsandessexfertility.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Herts-and-Essex-Fertility-Centre-Sperm-Bank.jpgHerts and Essex Fertility Centre Sperm Bank Herts and Essex Fertility Centre have been helping both couples and single women conceive using sperm donation for many years and to this end, we have established an in-house bank of sperm donors, who satisfy the UK medical and legal guidelines to provide safe and regulated treatment for those requiring treatment using a sperm donor.

    Sperm Donors Screening

    HEFC sperm donors are thoroughly medically screened both before and after completion of their donations. This enables the clinic to guarantee that the sperm used is free from transmissible disease to safeguard the women receiving sperm and any children conceived as a result of the sperm donation. Our donors must also provide a detailed medical history to include their family history for further safeguarding. Sperm quality is also an important predictor of pregnancy, which is why sperm donors are all thoroughly assessed according to the latest World Health Organisation guidelines for normal sperm parameters. In addition, our donors also benefit from HBA testing, an important test in determining sperm maturity (link to HBA blog).

    Counselling & Siblings opportunity

    All HEFC sperm donors must attend counselling ahead of acceptance onto our donor programme. This enables all of our donors to be fully informed about the implications of donation and importantly, the impact of donor non-anonymity – according to UK law, all sperm donors must consent to the release of identifying information to any child conceived as a result of donation once the child reaches the age of 18. The donor can also consent to the creation of up to ten families and at HEFC we ensure that successful recipients of our sperm donors have the option of purchasing sibling stock to extend their families further in the future. What about legal parentage for women in same-sex relationships? HEFC will ensure that legal binding consent forms are completed to enable both partners within a same-sex relationship, irrespective of marital status, to be legal parents of their donor-conceived child. No such regulations exist to protect same-sex couples using a sperm donor sourced outside of an HFEA regulated clinic. In this scenario, the sperm donor may be considered the child’s legal father, which means he will have all of the rights and responsibilities associated with being a father. Importantly this means that the donor may be pursued for a financial contribution towards the child’s upbringing. However, at HEFC, the sperm donor himself is also required to complete legally binding consent forms to enable him to be regarded purely as a donor and therefore holds no legal or financial responsibilities for any children conceived through his donation. At HEFC, we provide a bespoke matching service to ensure that the donor meets each couple or individual’s specific needs, with the guarantee that the selected donor will have met all of our stringent screening requirements. For more information on sperm donation at HEFC, please contact our dedicated team on 01992 785075.]]>         What you need to know about Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) https://hertsandessexfertility.com/what-women-need-to-know-about-polycystic-ovary-syndrome-pcos/ Tue, 29 May 2018 07:16:08 +0000 http://hertsandessexfertility.com/?p=1601 What are polycystic ovaries? Polycystic ovaries are usually larger in size and contain more follicles than normal. A follicle is where an egg develops and the term Polycystic ovaries was ...

    The post What you need to know about Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) appeared first on Herts & Essex Fertility Centre.

    ]]>     https://hertsandessexfertility.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/What-Women-Need-To-Know.jpgWhat are polycystic ovaries? Polycystic ovaries are usually larger in size and contain more follicles than normal. A follicle is where an egg develops and the term Polycystic ovaries was coined in the 1930s because it was thought that the ovaries contained many cysts, which was incorrect as the “cysts” were in fact just follicles.

    What is polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)

    It is important to know that having polycystic ovaries does not necessarily mean that the woman has Polycystic Ovary syndrome. Some women have polycystic ovaries without any symptoms. Only women manifesting symptoms are classified as having the syndrome. Studies show that 20 – 25% of all women have polycystic ovaries, but less than 10% will have the syndrome. Polycystic ovary syndrome (known as PCOS) is, therefore, a common hormone disorder. It can cause a woman’s menstrual cycle to be longer than normal, be irregular and infrequent, and in severe forms, there may be no periods at all. PCOS can affect a woman’s ability to conceive and may affect her appearance with excess body and facial hair, acne, and oily skin, and a tendency to be overweight.

    What causes PCOS?

    There is no known cause for PCOS and why some women develop it while others don’t. However, we do know that it often runs in the family, so there may be a genetic link to the condition.

    What are the symptoms of PCOS?

    • Irregular periods where there are longer gaps in between periods or no periods at all
    • An increase in facial and body hair known as hirsutism
    • Loss of hair on the head
    • Oily skin and acne
    • Problem with fertility
    • Overweight
    Most of the symptoms of PCOS are due to the abnormal hormone levels associated with the condition and can vary tremendously from woman to woman. The hormones that are abnormal, are raised levels of the male hormone testosterone and also insulin which is a hormone linked to diabetes. Women trying to fall pregnant may also face difficulties, due to ovulatory problems associated with PCOS. There also appears to be an increased risk of miscarriages.   Watch our video on polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) by Mr David Ogutu, Consultant Gynaecologist: [video width="960" height="540" mp4="https://hertsandessexfertility.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Polycystic-Ovary-Syndrome-PCOS.mp4" poster="https://hertsandessexfertility.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Screen-Shot-2020-06-30-at-14.49.49.png"][/video]

    Mood swings and depression

    Women with PCOS are more likely to experience higher levels of depression and low self-esteem, caused both by the hormonal imbalances of the condition or by the symptoms it presents. If you are experiencing mood swings, do get help from your doctor for both your PCOS and your depression, even if it means a referral to a mental health specialist.

    Diagnosis

    As already mentioned some women with polycystic ovaries do not have the syndrome and therefore do not have any symptoms. Many are diagnosed when they seek help for their infertility. Others have symptoms but are unaware of what causes them. Symptoms to look out for are irregular, infrequent periods and an increase in facial or body hair. The best investigations to diagnose polycystic ovaries are ultrasound scans of the ovaries and hormone tests to check the levels of Anti-Mullerian Hormone (AMH) and testosterone.

    What are the long-term consequences of PCOS?

    Irregular periods can increase the risk of uterine cancer, acne can cause scarring, and weight can become harder to manage. Getting diagnosed and treated sooner rather than later is the best way to lower the risk of these problems.

    Insulin resistance and diabetes

    In PCOS the body responds less well to insulin which leads to a higher level of insulin and increased glucose level. Raised insulin may lead to irregular periods, weight gain, increased testosterone, and fertility problems. It is estimated that 10-20% of women with PCOS go on to develop diabetes in later life. Furthermore, women with PCOS have an increased risk of diabetes if they are over 40 years old, have a family history of diabetes, have developed gestational diabetes in previous pregnancies, and are obese.

    Cancer

    A very small number of PCOS women who have significantly fewer periods per year than normal are at risk of developing endometrial cancer due to the womb lining remaining thicker. There are means of reducing the risk which involve hormones and depends on whether the woman is trying to conceive or not.

    Hypertension

    PCOS women are more prone to raised blood pressure which may be linked to obesity and insulin resistance.

    Snoring and drowsiness

    There appears to be a link between PCOS and snoring leading to tiredness and drowsiness.

    What can be done to reduce the long-term consequences of PCOS?

    Diet and Weight loss A healthy lifestyle is important to help reduce the symptoms of PCOS. First of all a healthy balanced diet is strongly advised. This should include plenty of fruits and vegetables and whole food e.g. wholemeal bread, brown rice and whole grain cereals, lean meat, fish, and chicken. Consume less carbohydrates and salt, avoid alcohol, and exercise regularly. If you are overweight it is advisable to lose weight. The benefits of losing weight are:
    • Lower risk of developing diabetes and insulin resistance
    • Lower risk of heart problems
    • Lower risk of cancer in the womb
    • Improving your fertility and the chance of pregnancy
    • Improve the regularity of your periods
    • Improve skin condition with less acne and hirsutism
    • Less depression and mood swings
    It is important to note that losing a small amount of weight can make a significant difference to the symptoms of PCOS and at the same time make you healthier. Regular health checks Make sure you have your blood pressure and blood sugar checked by your GP regularly, at least once a year especially if you are overweight and have a family history of diabetes.

    How to get pregnant with PCOS?

    Most women with the milder form of PCOS do conceive naturally, though in general, it takes them longer to do so than average. On the other hand, women with a moderate to severe form of PCOS will have more difficulty conceiving naturally and often require help from fertility specialists. They have what is termed “ovulatory disorders.” For women with ovulatory disorders, the first line treatment is trying fertility tablets such as clomifene citrate which stimulates ovulation although the tablets themselves can reduce conception as they adversely affect the womb lining (endometrium) where embryos implant. This is why there is no benefit in taking fertility tablets if a woman is already ovulating on her own. An alternative is to use fertility injections which are more powerful and work differently from tablets in that they do not affect the womb lining. There is, however, a higher risk of multiple births, and requires ultrasound monitoring to reduce the risk. Another option is In-Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) should the above be unsuccessful. Whereas women with PCOS have a problem conceiving naturally, their chance of being successful through IVF is the same as other women without PCOS. It is pertinent to note that because women with PCOS have more follicles than normal, there is a tendency to produce more eggs during IVF leading to a condition known as Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS). Our fertility experts at Herts & Essex Fertility Centre have devised a protocol to treat PCOS patients with a special trigger to ripen the eggs. This is designed to reduce many times the risk of OHSS in patients with too many eggs, as opposed to the standard trigger which itself initiates the whole process of OHSS in those particular women.

    Finally, is there a cure for PCOS?

    Unfortunately, there is no cure for PCOS. Medical treatments are aimed at managing and reducing the symptoms or consequences of having PCOS. Medication alone has not been shown to be any better than healthy lifestyle changes (weight loss and exercise). Many women with PCOS successfully manage their symptoms and long-term health risks without medical intervention. They do this by eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. If you would like to know more about how we investigate and treat polycystic ovary syndrome and other causes of female infertility, please call us on 01992 78 50 60.]]>         Sometimes accepting your decision to stop fertility treatments could help you find peace https://hertsandessexfertility.com/sometimes-accepting-your-decision-to-stop-fertility-treatments-could-help-you-find-peace-2/ Mon, 21 May 2018 07:22:50 +0000 http://hertsandessexfertility.com/?p=1603 Sometimes accepting your decision to stop fertility treatments could help you find peace, one of our patients, Louise Moloney, explains.. “Our fertility journey started in 2007, it’s really taken its ...

    The post Sometimes accepting your decision to stop fertility treatments could help you find peace appeared first on Herts & Essex Fertility Centre.

    ]]>     https://hertsandessexfertility.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Sometimes-accepting-your-decision.jpg“Our fertility journey started in 2007, it’s really taken its toll on our marriage and to us both individually. We had 2 IVF cycles with Herts & Essex Fertility Centre. Sadly neither resulted in a pregnancy but I have now made peace with my fertility journey and accepted there will be no more children for us. We are extremely lucky to have twins from a previous cycle who are now 7. I have to admit it’s a relief to have accepted that it’s over, as it caused a lot of stress and anxiety. I never believed I would ever accept or deal with not experiencing another pregnancy or having another tiny baby in my life or siblings for my twins. I always thought I’d have a big family. After 11 long years of it being constantly at the forefront of my mind, it really is an incredible feeling of relief to have let it go. I’m really proud of myself for reaching this stage of acceptance and happiness. It’s had a really positive effect on us all as a family. I don’t regret our failed cycles, they were tough but they helped lead me to this point. Anyway, I’d like to thank you all for the wonderful care you gave us and share with you, a little video I made during a snippet of our last round, this time last year. Thank you again” We are so happy that Louise has found peace and can enjoy her twins. We wish to her and her lovely family all the very best in their future. An unsuccessful treatment can be heartbreaking, even when you are trying not to get your hopes up. It’s never easy to know whether you should carry on with treatment but every woman and couple is different and whilst some people want to know they did everything they could, others prefer to move on from treatment at an earlier stage. It is always advisable to speak to your doctor for an honest opinion on whether treatment may work for you. Knowing what the chances of it working are may help you take a decision. If you do decide to keep going, please always consider the emotional burden treatment puts on you and your partner (if you have one) and make sure you’re getting plenty of support. Talking to other people about how they decided when to stop treatment may also help. Fertility Friends has an online forum for people who are thinking about stopping treatment. At the Herts & Essex Fertility Centre, we provide confidential, professional independent counselling support to couples at any time before, during, or after fertility treatment to help explore these feelings.]]>     How can your diet affect your chances of pregnancy? https://hertsandessexfertility.com/how-can-your-diet-affect-your-chances-of-pregnancy/ Thu, 10 May 2018 07:24:40 +0000 http://hertsandessexfertility.com/?p=1605 A healthy diet can increase the chances of ovulation and improve your fertility. Fertility experts recommend to those who are trying to conceive to follow a healthy diet and cut ...

    The post How can your diet affect your chances of pregnancy? appeared first on Herts & Essex Fertility Centre.

    ]]>     https://hertsandessexfertility.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/How-can-your-diet-affect-your-chances.jpgA healthy diet can increase the chances of ovulation and improve your fertility. Fertility experts recommend to those who are trying to conceive to follow a healthy diet and cut down on processed food and additives, avoid alcohol, tobacco as much as possible. Consuming the right food can increase the chances of healthy ovulation, support a healthy pregnancy but most of all improve fertility. Women who consume more fast food and less fresh fruit, take longer to get pregnant and are less likely to conceive within a year, a recent study has suggested. Researchers found that in women with the lowest intake of fruit, the risk of infertility increased from 8% to 12% and in those who ate fast food four or more times a week, the risk rose to 16%. The positive news of this study is that women who made small changes to their diet should be able to conceive earlier which could be helpful for women who are less fertile for reasons such as age, genetics or other medical reasons.

    Boost your fertility with these superfoods.

    Find the ten top foods which could help boost your fertility.
    1. Beans lentils and pulses provide an excellent source of fibre, protein and other nutrients vital to fertility
    2. Avocados and bananas are packed with minerals, vitamins, essential fats, protein, carbohydrate, fibre and are a fantastic source of vitamin E; which can improve endometrial lining (lining of the uterus) and could as well help with embryo implantation which is how a fertilised egg develops into a pregnancy. Avocados are also an excellent source of folate so are an important fertility food and also great during pregnancy as consuming foods high in folate as well as taking a folic acid supplement can help prevent spina bifida.
    3. Berries, citrus and dried fruits like dates, figs and raisins are an important addition to the diet during preconception. High zinc fruits include avocados, apricots, prunes, pomegranates, dried figs, blackberries, durian, raisins, raspberries, and guavas.
    4. Eggs are rich in choline, which can have positive effects on foetal development that may have a long-lasting influence into adult life, according to a study at Cornel University. Eggs are also rich in many different vitamins and minerals as well as essential fats and are an excellent source of protein.
    5. Fibre-rich foods such as amaranth, brown rice, buckwheat, millet, oats, pulses, quinoa, rye, spelt and teff must be consumed at least once a day. Only whole grains should be consumed as refined products lack vital nutrients.
    6. Green leafy vegetables and other vegetables of all rainbow colours should be consumed every day. Dark-coloured vegetables and fruits are important antioxidants. Whereas red and orange vegetables and fruits such as sweet potatoes, squash, carrots, pumpkins, cantaloupes, apricots, peaches and mangoes contain significant amounts of vitamin A; beta-carotene and retinoids.
    7. Maca is high in antioxidants and nutrients, such as vitamin C, copper and iron and can help to balance the hormones, increase eggs and sperm health and increase sperm count, while also being a tonic for the endocrine system. Maca is related to broccoli, cauliflower and kale. The root, which is the edible part of the vegetable, looks similar to a cross between a parsnip and a radish with green leaf tops.
    8. Nuts and seeds are important to the daily diet if you are looking to improve your fertility, especially almonds and walnuts and chia, hemp, flax, pumpkin, sesame and sunflower seeds.
    9. Oily fish and organ meats should be consumed at least once or twice a week. Oily fish such as salmon, mackerel and sardines are rich in omega-3 fatty acids and a good source of vitamin D, protein, B vitamin and selenium.
    10. Raw fresh juices especially apricot, banana, papaya, red grape, lemon, carrot, beetroot, orange, tomato and spinach is like drinking a natural vitamin filled with living enzymes, essential minerals, antioxidants, and natural antibiotics, which are vital for optimal health. Boxed juices are usually pasteurized which means they are heated and processed, which can kill vitamins and minerals.
    Our preconception nutrition and diet advice can go a long way to helping you improve your fertility over the course of 6-12 months. However, if you have been trying to conceive for one year with no success, we would recommend undertaking fertility investigations to be sure there are no underlying health reasons as to why you are not conceiving. Our Fertility Assessment checks your general well-being, as well as assessing your fertility. Simply call us on 01992 78 50 60 to arrange an appointment or email enquiries@hertsandessexfertility.com.]]>         Does fast food really contain plastic? https://hertsandessexfertility.com/does-fast-food-really-contain-plastic-2/ Thu, 19 Apr 2018 07:28:25 +0000 http://hertsandessexfertility.com/?p=1607 Research at the University of California, published in the journal Environment International recently found that people who eat out regularly are exposed to higher levels of phthalates, a chemical derived ...

    The post Does fast food really contain plastic? appeared first on Herts & Essex Fertility Centre.

    ]]>     https://hertsandessexfertility.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Does-fast-food-really.jpginfertility, cancer and birth problems. People who eat a higher amount of fast foods have higher levels of phthalates. Apparently, sandwiches and cheeseburgers, in particular, appear to contain high levels of this chemical. The research shows that 24 hours after eating out, people have a third more phthalates in their urine than control groups who cook at home. The study involved more than 10,000 subjects. Phthalates are found in food and water, plastic takeaway boxes, packaging and food processing. They are in dairy products, possibly from the plastic tubing used to milk cows. They are in meats (some phthalates are attracted to fat, so meats and cheeses have high levels). Why is it harmful? These industrial chemicals have been linked to reproductive problems from infertility to IQ and behavioural problems in children exposed to these chemicals from the womb. In 2008, they banned the materials from children’s toys. At Herts & Essex Fertility Centre we have always advised our patients to follow a healthy lifestyle, do some exercise, eat healthily and avoid junk food. From the above study, it might also be wise to avoid plastic packaging. If you still can’t resist your favourite fast food joint, even knowing that your meal might come with a “side” of chemicals, at least try to choose the most nutritious option on the menu. Here, are some tips on making the right choice when faced with the drive-through:
    • Select grilled, baked, roasted, or steamed food. This reduces fat and calories from breading and frying.
    • Have smaller portions or items from a “less than 500 calories”/healthier section.
    • Choose vegetarian meals like salads, oatmeal, or a fruit and yoghurt parfait which contain less salt.
    • Avoid sneaky sodium-bombs such as chili, and don’t ignore high-calorie additions such as salad dressings, bacon, cheese, or sour cream. Toppings can quickly turn any relatively healthy dish into a diet disaster.
    To find out what changes you could make to improve your chances of conceiving visit fit-for-fertility.com or call us on 01992 78 50 60 to book some time with one of our fertility experts.]]>