Fertility
To investigate your fertility, you can begin by visiting our private GP or one of our consultant fertility doctors. If you or your partner requires help getting pregnant, our team here includes ultrasound scanning specialists and gynaecologists, as well as counsellors. We also have nutritionists and acupuncturists who regularly support couples and boost the chances of a successful pregnancy.
If you are planning a family and would like to know more about your fertility, there are a range of tests to assess your sperm count, shape and motility. Your GP or fertility consultant will also recommend a male-hormone test.
Sperm quality may be reduced by factors including:
- Smoking
- Drug use
- Excessive alcohol consumption
- Illness or injury
- Varicocele (where enlarged viens in the testicles cause an excess of heat, affecting sperm)
- Some medications
- Chemotherapy
If you have been trying for pregnancy without any success and want to look for the reasons, a sperm test will help.
What happens if a sperm tests shows there are problems?
If your test reveals that there are problems with your sperm - either a low sperm count or low motility (movement) - you may want further investigation, such as ultrasound scanning, to assess any blockages or structural abnormalities. Your blood can be checked for hormonal imbalances and accordingly you may be referred to a specialist.
You may choose to try natural measures, such as nutritional supplements, to balance your hormones and improve your sperm quality. If you choose this we recommend you are guided by a nutritionist experienced in using nutrition to boost sperm quality, and you return for medical tests regularly. It's also important that your partner is given a full check by our consultant, so that your treatment can be personalised to maximise your chances of success while you try for a baby.
You may consider assisted reproductive techniques, such as IVF (in-vitro fertilisation) or ICSI (intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection). At Viveka any assisted reproduction treatment such as IVF, IUI or ICSI is performed as a satellite arrangement. This means that the consultations, drug stimulation protocol and ultrasound scans are all prepared and carried out at Viveka by Mr. Shawaf. For the actual egg collection and embryo transfer you would attend one of the licensed centres that we use (see our fertility pages).
At Viveka we are committed to supporting couples during what may be a stressful time. We have psychotherapists and family therapists with many years experience, and a range of complementary therapies that may help you keep stress to a minimum.
Fertility - How often is it down to problems with sperm?
It's not always possible to pinpoint the cause of fertility difficulties. Broadly speaking, around one third of fertility problems are due to a problem with the sperm; about one third are related to female issues; and one third are a combination, or unexplained.
For more information on fertility care at Viveka, please follow this link.
