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If you are struggling with fertility, you're not alone. The NHS estimates that 1 in 7 couples will have difficulty conceiving.
At Circle Health Group, we understand how huge the impact of infertility can be. Fertility struggles can damage your emotional and psychological health, leading to stress, grief, depression and loss of confidence and self-esteem. Relationships can become strained, not just with your partner but also with your friends and loved ones.
If you are struggling with fertility and want specialist support, our team of experts is ready and waiting to help you. We can diagnose and treat a wide variety of fertility issues, while at the same time offering support with the emotional and psychological toll that infertility can have. You'll experience consultant-led, personalised treatment from talented multidisciplinary teams, delivered in our peaceful private hospitals.
We can help to investigate unexplained infertility, stimulate ovulation, investigate and address problems with eggs or sperm, and do everything we can to boost your chances of getting pregnant. Our multidisciplinary teams offer everything from medications to surgery, as well as counselling services to support you through your journey.
If you would like to learn more about private fertility treatment, call us directly or book online and you could be having your initial consultation within as little as 48 hours.
Infertility is often defined as not being able to get pregnant after a year or more of trying, though this will be different for some people depending on their personal circumstances.
The most common causes of infertility include:
Blocked or damaged fallopian tubes
Fallopian tubes can become blocked as a result of uterine fibroids, or can be damaged by a condition such as endometriosis or pelvic inflammatory disease. If you have blocked or damaged fallopian tubes, you might be advised to have IVF treatment to help you conceive.
Ovulation problems
Ovulation refers to the monthly release of an egg from your ovary. Irregular ovulation or an egg not being released at all can affect your fertility. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one common cause of this. If you have ovulation problems, intrauterine insemination could help you conceive.
Abnormal semen
Sperm with an abnormal shape or having a low sperm count can cause abnormal semen (the fluid that contains your sperm). Intracytoplasmic sperm injections (ICSI) can help treat male fertility problems caused by a low sperm count.
An absence of sperm in your semen
This is known as azoospermia. It can be caused by an obstruction to your epididymis (the tube that carries your sperm cells from your testicles) among other problems. If an absence of sperm in your semen is identified, you can have surgery to help your partner conceive.
At Circle Health Group, our infertility treatment is always consultant-led, and you'll be seen by the same experienced specialist from start to finish. Your treatment will typically be led by a consultant gynaecologist, who will be supported by a multidisciplinary team comprising of different specialists that work together to provide well-rounded healthcare. This might include nurses, pain management specialists, or consultants from other disciplines such as urologists or obstetricians.
We will start by getting to know you and your partner, both personally and in terms of your medical histories. From here we will begin to make our diagnosis, and we'll quickly arrange any tests or scans we need for this. Even if you have been diagnosed elsewhere, we like to be as thorough as possible.
Once we know what is at the root of your fertility problems, we will discuss treatment options. Your consultant will talk you through all the available options, giving recommendations on which they think are best for you and why. They'll talk you through everything from success rates to side effects, to the potential risks and complications. It's important to us that you are informed and involved throughout.
Together with your consultant, you will decide on the best course of treatment for your individual circumstances. With your input, they'll build a bespoke treatment plan to improve your chances of conceiving.
Our fertility specialists offer a wide variety of infertility treatments to support you through your fertility problems, with common treatments including:
Fertility drugs
Fertility drugs are most commonly used to help with irregular ovulation (often as a result of PCOS), fertility problems caused by hormone imbalances, or sperm problems. Some are used in combination with other treatments, while others are effective on their own.
In-vitro fertilisation (IVF)
In-vitro fertilisation (IVF) involves removing an egg from your ovaries. This egg is then fertilised with your partner or a donor's sperm in a laboratory. The fertilised egg, also known as an embryo, is transferred into your womb. IVF can also be performed using donor eggs.
Intrauterine insemination (IUI)
Intrauterine insemination is when sperm is inserted directly into your womb. If you decide to use your partner's sperm, they will be asked to provide a sperm sample through masturbating into a specimen cup. A speculum will be inserted into your vagina. Your Consultant will pass a catheter (a flexible tube) through your vagina and into your womb. Your partner's sperm sample is transferred into your womb through the catheter.
Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI)
During intracytoplasmic sperm injection, a single sperm is injected into the centre of your egg. This sperm can either be from a sperm donor or from your partner. The fertilised egg is then transferred into your womb.
Surgical sperm recovery
If sperm is absent in your semen, surgery can be performed to extract sperm from your testicles. A micro epididymal sperm aspiration (MESA) involves making a small cut in your scrotum to expose your epididymis (the tube where your sperm is stored) and remove your sperm. Alternatively, a percutaneous epididymal sperm aspiration (PESA) involves injecting a thin needle into your epididymis to remove sperm.
You can access treatment for infertility problems using your private health insurance, or you can pay for treatment yourself. If you do have insurance, treatment won't always be covered by your policy, so speak directly to your provider.
If you choose to pay for your own treatment, you can take advantage of our flexible payment options, which allow you to spread the cost with monthly instalments over a period of up to five years.
To start your fertility treatment journey with Circle Health Group, book a consultation with one of our many experienced consultants. You can do this online using our easy online booking portal, or you can call us to speak directly to one of our advisors.
When you choose to go private with Circle Health Group, you can expect:
- Flexible appointment times and locations to fit your routine
- The freedom to choose which hospital and consultant suit your needs
- Personalised, consultant-led treatment plans tailored to your individual needs
- Comfortable and safe private facilities maintained by expert multidisciplinary teams
- Private ensuite rooms as standards and delicious healthy meals
- Affordable, fixed-price packages with aftercare included
- Flexible payment options to help you spread the cost of your care
If you would like to learn more about this procedure, book your appointment online today or call a member of our team directly on 0141 300 5009.
Content reviewed by Circle in-house team in March 2023. Next review due March 2026.
- Infertility, World Health Organisation
- Infertility, NHS
- Infertility FAQs, CDC
