Category: Fertility and Treatment
15 Posts
Ice, Ice, Baby: What is egg freezing and is it right for me?
Read moreKey takeaways As people with ovaries, we’re born with all of the eggs we’ll ever have, but our egg quality and quantity decline with age. Egg freezing is what’s known as a ‘fertility preservation method’, which involves removing healthy eggs from our ovaries and freezing them for future use. Many people might benefit from egg freezing, like those with medical conditions that affect their ovarian reserve, or those of us…
How to support employees going through fertility treatment in the workplace?
Read moreStill, a hushed and taboo topic – almost 1 in every 6 couples have fertility issues in the UK-that’s about 3.5 million. The global infertility rate is increasing as people choose to have children later in their lives, with the average age to have a first child now 30.7 years in the UK. This means that fertility treatment is becoming more and more common. Infertility and the fertility treatment journey…
Why should reproductive health be a part of your mental health benefits?
Read moreCOVID-19 and the shift to remote working has catalysed the demand for mental health benefits – it is now a “must have” for employers in 2021. In fact, in a recent survey, 91% of respondents stated that a company’s culture should support mental health. It is no coincidence that mental well-being is included in how reproductive health is defined by the World Health Organisation, stating that “Reproductive health is a…
How to support LGBTQ+ employees
Read moreDeciding to start a family is never an easy process, but for some employees who identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community, their journey to parenthood might need some more support. Being a 21st-century employer means establishing an inclusive, progressive and supportive work environment to attract and retain employees. A 2017 study by Mercer found that 33% of UK respondents do not offer equal benefits to LGBTQ+ employees because they…
Metformin and PCOS: A treatment right for you?
Read morePolycystic 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…
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…
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…
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 Premature Ovarian Insufficiency
Read moreYou may have heard of Premature Ovarian Insufficiency (POI) being referred to as premature ovarian failure or premature menopause. They refer to when the ovaries stop working normally before the age of 40. Getting a POI 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 them. What is Premature Ovarian Insufficiency? Let’s start with the basics. In…