Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) affects around 1 in 10 people with ovaries (1). Despite being named as an “ovarian” syndrome, PCOS has both reproductive and metabolic characteristics. Your metabolism describes the chemical processes that take place to keep you alive and your organs functioning normally, such as breathing, repairing cells and digesting food. Many PCOS sufferers are prescribed a drug called metformin to help treat symptoms of the condition. Metformin…
Knowledge Center
Structural Infertility: What Are the Causes?
Read moreGetting pregnant and carrying a baby to term involves multiple, often arduous, stages, which can make your fertility journey feel a bit like a marathon. Structural issues within the female reproductive tract can cause a physical barrier to your fertility, much like coming across a 10-foot wall not long after you cross the starting line. Structural infertility can be caused by lots of different things and the management of it…
Understanding the Causes of Infertility
Read moreDespite what we may have been led to believe by our teachers and society, getting pregnant is often not as easy as we may think. For many, the journey to parenthood can be a challenging process, both physically and emotionally. As many as 1 in 7 heterosexual couples experience infertility in the UK, yet the causes are sometimes preventative, or treatable. We’re here to help you understand the different causes…
Alcohol and Fertility: How Drinking Affects Your Conception Chances
Read moreMonitoring your ovulation, reducing your caffeine intake, taking folic acid… If you are currently actively trying to conceive these recommendations will most likely sound familiar. Chances are you will also have been recommended to stop drinking alcohol. But how are alcohol and fertility linked, and can drinking impair your chances of conceiving? In short, yes. However, new research has now indicated that both the timing in your cycle at which…
Clomid – Is it really a cure for infertility?
Read moreWhether it is from browsing online or from talking to a friend about your infertility, the name ‘Clomid’ often seems to make an appearance. You may have read many success stories on fertility blogs, but what do experts and clinicians have to say about Clomid, and is it an infertility cure? Here’s what you need to know. What is Clomid? Clomiphene Citrate AKA Clomid is a drug often prescribed to…
Exercise and Fertility: Is There Really a Link?
Read moreWe all have different feelings about exercise. Some of us can’t go a day without it and some of us simply can’t bear it. Whichever team you’re on, there’s no denying that exercise comes with health benefits and some of these benefits extend to your fertility. At the same time, too much exercise can be damaging and finding the right balance for you can be difficult. So we’re here to…
IBS & Period Poos – Let’s Talk About It…
Read moreIrritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and tricky bowel movements are thick as thieves and equally unwelcome. Unfortunately, they have managed to break their way into some of our lives and just when you think you’ve finally got a handle on managing your IBS symptoms, your period comes along, bringing with it Period Poo. Yup, period poo. It’s not just you, we all get it. But it’s understandable to think you’re the…
Secondary Infertility: What Causes It?
Read moreStruggling to conceive might come as a shock if you already have a baby. You might not think of infertility affecting those who already have a family but just because someone has a child doesn’t mean they’re in the safe zone when it comes to having more kids. Secondary infertility is a real concern for many women and couples and we’re here to tell you that you’re not alone. Quick…
Donor Eggs and Donor Conception
Read moreThere are lots of reasons people choose to conceive by a donor egg, also known as donor oocyte. If you’re thinking of going down this route it’s important to take the time to think about your options and whether donor conception is right for you. It’s a good idea to talk through your feelings with friends and family. Whether you’re going through your journey alone or with a partner, you…
Understanding Primary Ovarian Insufficiency
Read morePrimary ovarian insufficiency (POI) goes by lots of names. You might have heard of it referred to as premature ovarian insufficiency or premature ovarian failure. These all mean the same thing – when the ovaries stop working normally before the age of 40. Getting a primary ovarian insufficiency diagnosis can be worrying at first, but that doesn’t mean you don’t have options, and luckily, we’re here to guide you through…
