Fertility Blog

Archive for category 'IVF'. Page 1 of 5

  • 9th
    Dec
    2011

    Over 40 and want IVF? What you need to know

    New figures released by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority has revealed that one in five IVF cycles performed in 2010 were on women aged over 40.

    The number of older women now seeking IVF has almost doubled in the last 13 years. The average age of women having IVF has also increased, from just over 33 years old in 1991 to just over 35 years old last year.

    What this tells us is that more women are now having fertility treatment later in life. But when statistics show that fertilit...

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  • 4th
    Nov
    2011

    NHS IVF Funding - Who's Most Deserving?

    The NHS IVF ‘postcode lottery’ was back in the news again recently, when an investigation by the Daily Telegraph revealed that almost a fifth of primary care trusts (PCTs) are offering single women IVF funded by the NHS.

    It sparked huge debate, largely because in some areas of the country, single women can get NHS-funded IVF, whilst in other areas couples are being denied treatment simply because of where they live, or because of other criteria, such as one partner already having ch...

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  • 12th
    Oct
    2011

    Why weight matters for IVF

    A new study has confirmed that your weight can affect whether IVF treatment is successful or not.

    A team from Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust  found that being even slightly overweight is a risk factor for the outcome of IVF, following their study of more than 400 women undergoing treatment at the Assisted Conception Unit.

    In the study, the team looked at patients’ Body Mass Index (BMI) and results of treatment. The chance of having a live birth for women who a...

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  • 28th
    Sep
    2011

    What really affects your chance of IVF success

    Above all else, there’s one thing that truly influences whether your IVF treatment is a success. Whilst health, weight, lifestyle are all thought to play a part, the main thing which affects your outcome is your age.

    Age is the biggest factor in IVF success rates. In women aged 35 and under, the rates are significantly higher than in women over the age of 40. The reason is simply down to nature.  As we age, our fertility declines. Women are actually the most fertile in their 20s, but...

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  • 21st
    Sep
    2011

    When IVF fails

    Although assisted reproductive technology has come a long way, sadly there are times when it doesn’t work. Simply, IVF and fertility treatment isn’t a guarantee of a baby, even when science actually puts the sperm and egg together, and even when a sperm is injected directly into the egg in an ICSI procedure.

    Failure isn’t something that IVF clinics like to talk about, because making exaggerated promises about treatment success can bring more people through the door. The f...

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  • 2nd
    Jun
    2011     Why you should view 'high' success rates with caution

    Why you should view 'high' success rates with caution

    When deciding where to have private infertility treatment, clinic results are always crucial.

    But one of the things we always tell prospective patients is that they should exercise caution when comparing results between providers, especially if one clinic appears to have much greater success than others.

    And it seems the HFEA shares this view. The fertility watchdog is now planning a crackdown after some private IVF clinics came under fire for misleading patients about their chances of success...

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  • 26th
    May
    2011

    Sperm freezing and IVF for soldiers

    The Ministry of Defence recently announced that soldiers suffering from serious genital injuries will receive three cycles of IVF under a new Military Covenant.

    This is great news for the UK’s veterans, which comes on the back of Government support for a campaign which encourages soldiers to freeze their sperm before going to war.

    The campaign was started by Sgt Rick Clements, who not only lost both his legs in an IED bomb blast in Afghanistan, he lost his fertility as well and not can&r...

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  • 18th
    May
    2011

    Why a reduction in the number of IVF multiple births is good news

    Official figures released by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) has shown that fewer twins and triplets are being born through IVF.

    Why? In 2007 the fertility authority introduced new guidelines for fertility clinics aimed at reducing the number of IVF multiple births, with a target of just 15% by April 2012. New figures show it continues to fall, with the biggest decrease in multiple pregnancies in women under 35 years of age.

    Fertility clinics, both NHS and private, hav...

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  • 12th
    May
    2011

    Does stress really affect IVF outcomes?

    There have been many studies on whether stress levels really affect the outcome of IVF. Some say there is no link – others say there is.

    Now the latest study from America shows that women going through IVF who enrolled on a stress-management course achieved a higher pregnancy rate than those who didn’t.

    But the fact is that IVF and infertility in itself is stressful. First, you have to cope with and come to terms with the fact that you need help to conceive. Then you’ve got t...

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  • 3rd
    May
    2011

    Can intralipids dietary supplement really improve IVF success?

    There has been much reported in the media about the use of an intralipids supplement and its success in helping a couple to conceive their children where they had previously been told there was no hope.

    So can a dietary change really help improve your chances of IVF success? There’s no doubt that maintaining a healthy lifestyle and diet is important for your own health, and it’s common sense to ensure you’re at your best before embarking on any fertility treatment.

    In the cas...

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