You may have come to this page as you may be worried about being able to have children in the future. Maybe you’re already receiving or thinking about getting help with fertility. Going through this can be difficult even though many people experience it you can sometimes feel isolated and lonely. It can affect both your body and your feelings.
Please note we also have helpful resources for pregnancy loss which can be accessed here.
When To See Your GP
For some people it can take longer to get pregnant, however it is recommended to see your GP if you have not conceived after a year of trying. If you are over 35, have had previous difficulty conceiving or have conditions that you know may affect your fertility you can see a GP sooner. Your GP can send you for specialist testing, and if needed, you can then discuss your options for accessing fertility treatment.
You Are Not Alone
1 in 6 couples experience fertility struggles, and there are an estimated 68,000 fertility treatment cycles carried out each year in the UK.
Fertility Treatment
Fertility treatment is a complex process, involving regular healthcare appointments, medication, injections, and assisted conception procedures, such as in-vitro fertilization (IVF) and intrauterine insemination (IUI).
The healthcare professionals caring for you and your fertility journey will have discussed the treatment plan and their potential side effects. We recognise that along with the need to attend clinic appointments that some of the side effects may impact your attendance and performance at work. Physical side effects may include:
- Changes in mood
- Bloating
- Tiredness
- Headaches
- Hot flushes
- Sore or swollen areas at injection sites
The psychological effects are also often significant and can be difficult to manage, such as stress, hopelessness, guilt, shame, depression and anxiety.
If you are or have been affected by fertility challenges please complete the checklist attached.