According to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), one in seven heterosexual couples in the UK is affected by infertility. They also note that since their original guidelines on fertility were published in 2004, there has been an increase in fertility problems, and more people are seeking help and treatment. In Europe more widely, birth rate statistics have shown a fall for generations. While this may be due to social fact[...]

We should start with the good news straight away: ovarian cysts are quite common and most of them are not dangerous. They usually pass away of their own accord without presenting any adverse symptoms. However, in a minority of cases, an ovarian cyst can cause symptoms, may require treatment and may even be a threat to fertility. That’s why you need to know how to distinguish a [...]

It’s easy to assume that we all know the early signs of pregnancy, and everyone has heard about missed periods and morning sickness. But when it occurs to you that you may be pregnant, whether you don’t want to be pregnant or very much do, your baseline of general knowledge is no longer enough. It’s only natural to monitor your body closely for those tell-tale signs and keep an e[...]

As people prepare to become parents, it’s all too easy to focus on the woman’s health and her ability to conceive and maintain a healthy pregnancy. But these days we have a growing awareness that fertility difficulties also have to do with the male partner, and that there’s plenty that men can do to maximise their fertility and prepare for the best start in life for their baby. In this article we look at the issue of preconception health for men. We propose a few simple dos and don’ts, as well as offering some male fertility tips and answering frequently asked questions about protecting the quality and quantity of sperm. We look at lifestyle issues and where to get help if low fert[...]

This is considered to be one of the easier signs to detect of early pregnancy as bleeding can occur after implantation in approximately 3 out of every 10 women.   However, this phenomenon doesn’t always happen because of the implantation and it’s not normally associated with any problem with the pregnancy.  So why does it happen? ...

aaaaaa Preconception care: tobacco, alcohol and caffeine

It’s well known that refraining from drinking and smoking during pregnancy is essential. What is less known and understood is the fact that during the preconception period, say three months before conceiving, your lifestyle can also have a big impact on your future unborn child. An outstanding example of this principle is the need for an adequate intake of folic acid. In this article we look at smoking before pregnancy and exactly how it can have a detrimental impact, as well as issues around other lifestyle choices, for example whether it’s OK to consume caffeine before pregnancy, and sensible precautions around the consump[...]

Every man who has undergone a vasectomy in the UK is sure to have thought seriously about the decision, and to have been advised by his NHS or another medical practitioner that the procedure should be considered permanent. But the fact is that lives change, circumstances change, and a new social or personal dynamic can lead to a change of heart. In this article, we take a look at the realistic possibilities of pregnancy after vasectomy. We explain the broad principles of different courses of action and what you need to do if you or  your partner should find yourselves in this situation. How to get pregnant after a vasectomy? There’s no 100% certain solution, but there is plenty of help availa[...]