Fertility Treatment

If you have been trying to conceive without success, a fertility assessment can help identify factors that may be affecting your chances of pregnancy. You may wish to seek advice sooner if there are known medical conditions, irregular or absent periods, previous fertility problems, concerns about sperm quality, hormonal symptoms or other reproductive health concerns. An initial consultation can help determine which investigations are appropriate.

Fertility investigations depend on the individual. For women, assessment may include hormone blood tests to investigate ovulation and other factors affecting fertility. For men, investigations can include semen analysis and hormone testing where clinically appropriate. NICE recommends semen analysis as an important part of assessing male fertility and recommends further investigation when abnormalities are identified.

Yes. Hormones play an important role in ovulation, menstrual cycles, testosterone production and sperm production. Conditions affecting hormones such as FSH, LH, testosterone, prolactin and thyroid hormones can sometimes contribute to fertility difficulties. Identifying an underlying hormonal problem can help determine whether treatment or further specialist investigation is appropriate.

Low testosterone can sometimes occur alongside conditions affecting male fertility, but the underlying cause is important. Testosterone and gonadotrophin testing can help identify hormonal abnormalities in men with abnormal semen results. Importantly, simply taking testosterone is not a fertility treatment, because external testosterone can suppress sperm production.

Yes. Testosterone Replacement Therapy can suppress the hormones that stimulate the testes and can significantly reduce sperm production. In some men, sperm production can stop altogether while using external testosterone. Men who are trying for a baby or who wish to preserve their fertility should therefore discuss this with a clinician before starting TRT.

In certain men, hCG may be considered as part of specialist hormonal treatment. hCG acts similarly to luteinising hormone (LH) and stimulates the testes to produce testosterone rather than replacing testosterone from an external source. Whether hCG or another treatment is appropriate depends on the underlying cause, hormone results and fertility goals and requires medical assessment.

Male fertility can be affected by a range of factors including reduced sperm count, poor sperm movement or morphology, hormonal disorders, varicocele, sexual or ejaculatory difficulties and certain medical conditions or medications. Lifestyle factors can also contribute. A proper assessment is important because treatment depends on identifying the likely cause rather than assuming that every fertility problem requires the same approach.

Female fertility can be affected by problems with ovulation, age-related changes, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), endometriosis, fallopian-tube problems, fibroids and other reproductive or hormonal conditions. Investigation is tailored to medical history, menstrual cycle and individual circumstances.

East Park Healthcare provides fertility and hormonal assessment and can help investigate potential factors contributing to difficulty conceiving. Where investigations indicate that assisted conception such as IVF or IUI or more specialist fertility care may be required, patients can be advised about appropriate onward referral.

East Park Healthcare provides private fertility and hormone assessments at our medical clinic at First Floor, 67 East Park Road, Blackburn, BB1 8DW. Our service can include clinical consultation, appropriate blood testing and further investigations based on your individual circumstances.