Is a vegetarian diet good for fertility?

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It’s National Vegetarian Week, and the latest figures show there are just over 3 million vegetarians and vegans, with 4.5% of the UK population having a vegetarian or vegan diet.

Traditionally, meat was the star of a meal, but more and more of us are cutting back or cutting it out together, whether you’re a ‘classic’ vegetarian, lacto or ovo vegetarian, pescetarian or flexitarian. The health benefits of a vegetarian diet can be myriad, from boosting heart health, lowering blood pressure and cholesterol, preventing diabetes and managing your weight to keeping your brain sharp and reducing the risk of cancer.

In our latest blog, we focus specifically on whether a vegetarian diet is good for fertility and explore how other popular diets, ranging from keto to vegan, affect fertility and IVF outcomes.

Does vegetarianism impact your fertility?

The first question should be, does diet affect your fertility? The reasons that couples are unable to conceive range from a woman’s ovaries not producing healthy eggs or blocked fallopian tubes that prevent the egg from moving to the womb to the egg’s inability to attach to the lining of the womb successfully. Male infertility can be the result of poor sperm quality, including motility, morphology and sperm count.

Even after tests, the cause of infertility may not always be clear, as about 15% of infertility cases remain unexplained.

No individual food or supplement can fix these potential issues, but there have been multiple studies into the positive and measurable influence of diet and other related lifestyle choices on fertility.

If done correctly, a vegetarian diet is at least as healthy as one that involves meat. It is important to clarify that any diet—whether plant-based or meat-focused—must be well-planned and varied in terms of nutrients and avoid ultra-process food (UPF). The popularity of plant-based meat alternatives has seen staggering growth in recent years.

In fact, it might be even better, as a 2015 study into IVF couples found that men’s meat consumption could affect the outcome of fertility treatments. Although poultry consumption had a positive impact, processed meats such as bacon and sausage, with men who ate the most processed meats, with an average of 4.3 servings a week, had just a 54% chance of achieving pregnancy with their partner.

What about other popular diets?

A recent study published in Nutrients journal examined the impact popular diets have on fertility. It analysed the Mediterranean diet, the DASH diet, the keto diet, and plant-based diets such as vegetarianism and veganism.

  • Mediterranean diet: Rich in fruit, vegetables, nuts, whole grains olive oil and other heart-healthy fats, this diet is routinely described as the gold standard for health and there is growing evidence it could also be beneficial for fertility.
  • Dash diet: This diet was devised to lower blood pressure. It heavily features fruit, vegetables, and nuts with low meat and salt consumption. It’s been found to be beneficial for PCOS patients.
  • Vegetarianism and veganism: Excluding meat and potentially all animal products, these diets can have many health benefits but could cause nutritional deficiencies if poorly planned.
  • Ketogenic diet: high fat and low-carb diets have proven very successful in diabetes management or reversing obesity and have also shown significant benefits for women suffering from PCOS.
  • Western diet: high in ultra-processed foods and chockfull of sugar and salt, this diet is linked with rising BMIs and associated health risks. Studies have also shown a negative impact on sperm quality and embryo development.

If you’re looking for more advice on nutrition and fertility, please visit our Support Hub, where we provide links to experienced and empathetic dieticians who treat couples and individuals undergoing fertility treatment. To arrange a consultation with one of our fertility experts, call +44 (0) 203 263 6025 or email admin@ariafertility.co.uk.

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A hostile environment: male infertility and pollutants

Breathing in air pollution in the form of fine particles produced by road traffic and construction and which hang in the air could increase the risk of male infertility by 25 per cent, a new study warns.

Published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ), the Danish study also found that women face a different threat with UK traffic noise levels, leading to a 14% increased risk of infertility.

Researchers analysed data on over 500,000 men and nearly 400,000 women in Denmark aged between 30 and 45 who had fewer than two children. They looked for patterns linking reproductive health and air and noise pollution prevalent in their location.

In terms of air pollution, the study’s authors specifically looked at PM2.5s. These are tiny particles, less than 2.5 micrometres in diameter, created by road traffic and the burning of fossil fuels.

Danish men exposed to an annual average of 2.9 micrograms of fine particles of pollution per cubic metre had a 24% increased risk of infertility. Yet, worryingly, levels in our UK cities are nearly double that figure.

Female fertility and pollutants

The study found that PM2.5 exposure did not have a similar effect on women’s fertility, but it did note that noise pollution had an impact. This is thought to be due to the link between noise pollution, increased stress and disturbed sleep patterns.

The research, published in the BMJ, is observational, meaning it cannot directly establish that pollution causes infertility. Lifestyle factors were not considered.

Professor Allan Pacey, an expert in andrology at the University of Manchester, commented on the study: “It is possible that the real cause of this association lies with something that it was not possible to measure.”

Lifestyle factors in male infertility

It is challenging to avoid exposure to environmental pollution, particularly if living and working in urban areas, but there are modifiable lifestyle factors that we know impact our overall health and, by extension, the health of our sperm.

Here are 7 lifestyle factors that could affect male fertility and sperm health:

  1. Smoking: smoking can impact sperm quality, by giving you a lower sperm count, poorer sperm movement and can affect your DNA fragmentation.
  2. Alcohol: we know that women are advised to abstain if they are trying to get pregnant, but is there a ‘safe’ amount for men?  A 2023 meta-analysis of 40 studies found alcohol intake reduced semen volume during each ejaculation.
  3. Steroid use: anabolic steroids are recognised as one of the causes of male infertility. Even things like testosterone supplements can act as a male contraceptive, and it may take some time to reverse their effects.
  4. Stress: chronic stress can cause hormonal imbalances within the body, affecting sperm production.
  5. Lack of sleep: research has found a lack of sleep may be a factor in male infertility. A study published in Fertility & Sterility, which followed almost 700 couples for a year, found that men who slept less than 6 hours a night were 31% less likely to get their partner pregnant.
  6. Being overweight: having a too high BMI is associated with many different health risks, and it is recognised as a common cause of male infertility. Studies show that it can affect hormone levels, causing reduced sperm production, and there may also be a link between obesity and reduced sperm motility and morphology.
  7. Poor diet: good nutrition supports all our bodily functions, including producing healthy sperm. Diets high in processed meat, caffeine, saturated fatty acids and trans fats are linked to low-quality semen. Conversely, antioxidant-rich diets are linked to better sperm quality.

Male infertility affects up to half of couples having problems starting a family. Our Male Fertility MOT test will check your sperm count, shape, movement, and other characteristics and help diagnose and treat male infertility causes.

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What’s the difference between IVF and IUI?

Different methods of assisted conception have come under the spotlight recently as Democrat vice-presidential candidate Tim Walz speaks out about his family’s struggle with fertility.

Walz and his wife have been open about their “journey with IVF” but were then forced to clarify that they had relied on a different process known as intrauterine insemination, or IUI.

It is common for patients to conflate the two under the umbrella of ‘IVF’, but what’s the difference?

What is IUI?

During intrauterine insemination, or IUI, sperm is placed directly into the uterus. This increases the chance of the sperm reaching the egg as it reduces the distance it must travel.

Furthermore, the semen is separated from the seminal fluid before it is injected, significantly increasing the number of sperm in the uterus compared to through intercourse.

If you have irregular ovulation, we can use fertility drugs in combination with IUI.

How is IUI performed?

The sperm sample is injected through a fine catheter into the uterus at the time you are ovulating. The patient may be prescribed fertility medication to stimulate egg production.

The procedure is relatively quick and painless. In preparing for the IUI procedure, you will visit the clinic to monitor the eggs’ development before ovulation.

Who is IUI suitable for?

IUI may be recommended for:

  • Couples with unexplained infertility, often as a first-line treatment
  • Mild male factor infertility, such as low sperm count, sperm motility, or other mild sperm abnormalities
  • Cervical factor infertility as IUI bypasses the cervix
  • Use of donor sperm
  • Male and female conditions that make full penetrative sex difficult, such as vaginismus or erectile

What is IVF?

IVF or in-vitro fertilisation involves fertilising the egg with a sperm outside the body. Embryos are developed in the laboratory before they are transferred to the uterus, where they will hopefully implant successfully and lead to a full-term pregnancy.

IVF maximises the chance of fertilisation, and we can use embryo selection techniques, including time-lapse monitoring and preimplantation genetic screening, to choose the embryo with the highest potential for pregnancy.

How is IVF performed?

IVF involves several steps. First, ovarian stimulation medication produces multiple eggs in one cycle. These are then retrieved through a minor surgical procedure performed in our Marylebone fertility clinic. Our embryologists then fertilise the eggs with sperm in our lab to create embryos.

The embryos are carefully monitored for a few days before the healthiest ones are selected. At this stage, they can either be frozen, or one or two are transferred to the uterus, with the rest frozen for possible use later.

The IVF process involves several visits to the clinic over four weeks for monitoring, egg collection and transfer.

Who is IVF suitable for?

IVF is suitable for the following fertility patients:

  • Couples with infertility issues
  • Same-sex couples wishing to use donor eggs, sperm or embryos
  • Single individuals using donor eggs or sperm to conceive
  • Patients with ovulation disorders such as PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome)
  • Individuals with genetic disorders as embryos can be screened before implantation
  • For fertility preservation as IVF can be used to freeze embryos, eggs, or sperm for future use

Regarding success rates, there are many factors to consider, such as age and underlying fertility issues. Typically, IVF has higher success rates, but IUI can be a viable option for couples with minor fertility issues as a first-line treatment.

During your fertility consultation, our experts can thoroughly explain each procedure’s benefits and drawbacks and advise you on the most appropriate treatment option.

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Sorting fibroid myths from the facts

Fibroids are estimated to affect up to 50% of women of reproductive age, yet despite being such a common female complaint, there are many misconceptions.

Here are six common myths about fibroids:

Myth #1: Fibroids can be cancerous

Fact: Fortunately, this is untrue, as fibroids are benign growths and are not linked to uterine cancer. Although they can affect quality of life, they are not usually life-threatening.

Myth #2: Fibroids can impact your fertility

Fact: Most women with fibroids have normal fertility and pregnancy outcomes. Depending on size and location, some types of fibroids may impact fertility as they can obstruct the journey of a sperm or fertilised egg. Larger fibroids in the uterus may affect foetal growth. Treatment should be able to improve your chance of preventing conception from occurring and a healthy, successful pregnancy.

Myth #3: Once removed, fibroids can’t come back

Fact: Unfortunately, new fibroids can develop after treatment. If fibroids reoccur, you may need to explore a new treatment option for shrinking or removing your fibroids.

Myth #4: If you have fibroids, you will experience heavy menstrual bleeding and pain

Fact: Heavy or painful periods are a common symptom of fibroids, but not all women experience this or any symptoms.
When symptoms do occur, alongside heavy and painful menstrual bleeding, women may experience pelvic pain, frequent urination, and pain during intercourse. Depending on the size and location, it can cause constipation, and if the fibroid is pressing on a nerve, you may even experience back or leg pain.

Myth #5: Fibroids are genetic

Fact: Although it is not known exactly what causes fibroids, there does seem to be a genetic link. If you have a family history of uterine fibroids, you are three times more likely to develop them yourself.

Fibroids are also linked to the hormones produced by the ovaries, oestrogen and progesterone. They usually develop and grow as long as the ovaries produce these hormones and tend to shrink when hormone levels fall, such as after menopause.

Myth #6: If fibroids are untreated, they will continue to grow.

Fact: Not all fibroids get bigger if left untreated. Many women have small fibroids that do not grow or cause any symptoms or may stop growing when they reach a certain size.

If your fibroids are causing significant symptoms, Aria Fertility gynaecologist Miss Amanda Tozer can advise women on a range of tailored treatment options, including lifestyle changes, medications, hormone treatments and, if required, minimally invasive gynaecological surgery.

Call +44 (0) 203 263 6025 or email admin@ariafertility.co.uk to arrange a consultation.

 

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Recurrent implantation failure explained

Repeated embryo implantation failures pose a challenge for women and couples who wish to start a family, as well as for fertility experts. It is estimated that between 70% and 75% of embryos created, either through natural conception or via IVF, fail at some stage in their development before implantation occurs.   

There are many reasons why an embryo doesn’t attach or implant, and fertility expert Ms Srividya Seshadri explains how we investigate repeated implantation failure (RIF) at Aria.

Q: What is the definition of recurrent implantation failure?

There are numerous medical definitions in the literature of recurrent implantation failure or repeated failed IVF cycles, but generally, it is defined as two unsuccessful transfers of two good-quality embryos.

Q: What are the causes of recurrent implantation failure?

There are multiple causes of recurrent unsuccessful IVF cycles. I segregate them into two main parts. Is it the embryo, or is it the womb itself that’s resulting in an unsuccessful cycle?

Let’s look at the embryo. We all need to remember that the embryo is formed in the laboratory. I believe the success of any fertility clinic is largely dependent on the lab. Aria has a bespoke laboratory with cutting-edge technology and highly skilled embryologists that have the patient’s success at heart.

Then, there is the endometrium, or the lining of the womb. Multiple factors can result in a failed or unsuccessful IVF cycle, and one of them could be endometrial receptivity. Are we getting the timing right of the transfer, and is there any delay in the receptivity window that’s resulted in the unsuccessful cycle?

Or could it be selectivity that the lining doesn’t seem to recognise this beautifully normal, good-quality embryo? Could other anatomical factors, such as fibroids, endometriosis or hydro-salpinges, which means water in the tubes, interfere with success rates?

Q: How soon can we try again after a failed IVF cycle?

Regarding how long it takes to wait before you start again, I always advise couples that it is an individual choice. I’ve had patients who have struggled with the side effects of drugs from their previous cycle and who are emotionally drained. Do not let medicine dictate to you when you need to start.

In essence, though, once you’ve had a withdrawal bleed after an unsuccessful cycle, you can start the transfer process immediately. However, I always tell my patients that we need to find out why something has not worked out before we rush into another transfer because, quite often, this will result in another unfortunately unsuccessful cycle.

Q: What tests are required after an unsuccessful IVF cycle?

The tests that must be performed after an unsuccessful IVF cycle depend on the individual couple’s history. I could list pages and pages of tests that we could order, but are they all necessary?

The tests could include thrombophilia, which checks whether you have an inherent capacity to overclot rather than underclot, which may be easily treated with heparin injections before and during treatment.

Or should you check to see if the lining has an infection from a previous loss or any previous operations you have undergone?

Is immune testing necessary? Absent evidence does not mean the absence of evidence. We all believe immunology plays a role in kidney, heart, gut issues, and even early dementia. But, when it comes to reproduction, everybody gets very nervous. Please look on the UK’s fertility regulator website for more information or discuss this with one of the consultants at Aria.

A detailed history, evaluation, and discussion with your consultant to discuss all possible causes and necessary tests are essential stages of managing recurrent implantation failure. Contact us to arrange a consultation.

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Optimising your egg freezing 

After supporting IVF and fertility preservation patients for many years, dietitian Ro Huntriss recently underwent egg freezing herself, giving her a personal insight into undergoing fertility treatment. She explains the steps she took to prepare.

When we coach somebody through an IVF journey, we focus on improving sperm and egg quality and then also look at implantation. With egg freezing patients, we focus more on what we can do to support ovarian reserve markers and what we can do in terms of improving egg quality.

We know that an egg matures between 90 and 100 days before either ovulation or retrieval, so that’s the window of opportunity.

An excellent foundation is the Mediterranean-style diet. It’s great for fertility outcomes in general, but one of its key benefits is that it’s rich in antioxidants. One reason the quality or health of eggs can be quite poor is oxidative stress, which can rise as we get older and because of lifestyle factors.

To prepare for my egg freezing, I focused on antioxidants, so I ate lots of plant-based foods, such as fruit, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and olive oil. My plate was as brightly coloured and varied as possible. I saw every portion of fruit and vegetables as a win.

Alcohol consumption and egg freezing

I reduced my alcohol content but didn’t cut it out entirely in the three months leading up and then abstained when I started the injections. This was a personal choice as it would be for anyone. The advice to women undergoing IVF and trying to conceive is to abstain if possible because there are extra elements to consider, e.g. implantation of the embryo and then sustaining the pregnancy. The advice is of course to abstain when you could be pregnant due to the ill effects it could have on the unborn child. When you’re egg freezing, the treatment stops at egg retrieval, so there are much fewer risks.

For egg freezing, you shouldn’t be drinking excessively, but if you want an occasional drink such as a glass of red wine that is high in antioxidants, it is unlikely to do any damage, and could even help!

I also didn’t want to put myself in prison for three months! It was about making good choices and healthy adjustments. Generally, I eat healthily but I allow for balance and follow the 80/20 rule, eating and living well at least 80% of the time. While preparing for my egg freezing, I probably took a 90/10 or 95/5 approach. But I didn’t want to deny myself everything as that in itself can become stressful.

Certainly, for the fertility patients I support, I create sustainable programmes for them to follow.

Supplements and egg freezing

The fundamental change was in the supplements I was taking. I recommend patients take a prenatal supplement in the run-up to egg freezing. You may not be attempting to conceive, but these contain all the essential antioxidants, such as vitamin C, vitamin E, selenium and zinc, in reasonable quantities.

It can be challenging to make your diet nutritionally complete and this is one of the ways in which prenatal supplements can help, and there’s research that suggests that taking prenatal supplements can increase AMH levels.

Ro Huntriss on improving egg qualityMaking these changes in the run-up to egg freezing has no downside and could have a significant positive impact. We have supported several women who have had unsuccessful egg freezing rounds and collected no eggs towards outcomes they were really happy with. They have made changes to their diet and lifestyle and have been able to collect viable eggs on their next round.

For anyone that’s looking to optimise their fertility for the future, whether that be for egg freezing or not, we have created a programme called Fuel your Future Fertility.

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Egg freezing and me

Award-winning dietitian and founder of Fertility Dietitian UK Ro Huntriss has been supporting individuals and couples undergoing fertility treatments for many years. Recently, she embarked on her own fertility journey when she decided to freeze her eggs at Aria Fertility.

I’ve worked in the fertility sphere for a good few years now, and I’m very aware of egg freezing and its potential benefits.

I am 37, and I love my career, travelling, and spending time with my friends, so I had considered egg freezing. However, I was in a long-term relationship and out of nowhere, the relationship broke down very suddenly. I made the swift decision to freeze my eggs.

Making the choice to freeze my eggs

I don’t know what the future holds for me with regards to children, but I wanted to make a very positive decision in the middle of an uncertain time. Egg freezing represented an empowering choice. If I want to go on and have children, I’ve done what I can to facilitate that.

Preparing for my egg freezing treatment

Through my work, I’m seeing more and more patients who are about to embark on egg freezing, as there is so much you can do through your diet and lifestyle to influence your outcomes, including increasing the quality of your eggs and also the number collected.

Some women may have had an unsuccessful round and want to improve their chances, but there is also a growing awareness about the importance of preparation before they even begin. Egg freezing is a significant investment in time and money, so delaying your procedure for three months to improve egg quality and quantity makes absolute sense.

Stress and other lifestyle factors are also things to consider as there are many things that can affect our fertility so it’s wise to look at things from several angles.

So, I did everything I could do from a diet and lifestyle perspective to optimise my chances. This was very holistic, as everything I was doing made me feel better and did good things for my body. There’s no downside to making these positive changes.

My egg freezing journey

My egg freezing process went smoothly. I had the advantage of working in the industry, so I understood the process better than most people going into it. The most important part of it is finding a clinic that you like and that you’re comfortable with.

You are with that team for some time and want to feel cared for and seen as a person with a story and not just a number.

I knew of Aria beforehand and had met the clinicians, so that was a positive for me. But after speaking to the team members, I just felt very comfortable and supported.

I wasn’t sure how I was going to be with needles; I’m not needle-phobic, but I wasn’t sure how painful it would be. However, it was fine. I felt bloated towards the end, which makes sense as you have so much more fluid there, so it wasn’t unexpected. It does feel like your life is on hold for a bit.

They collected 13 eggs. The optimal number is 15 to 20, but this was still a pretty good result for my age from one cycle so I decided not to repeat the procedure because I was so close to the optimal number, and the quality of eggs was good. I’m also in a place where I’m not sure I want to have children, so I felt very happy with what I’d achieved and ready to move forward with the rest of my life.

Egg freezing was a positive step for me and I’m really glad I did it. It increases my chances of having children should that be my path, so I’d encourage others to consider it if they find themselves in similar positions, or who may be considering having children later in life.

You can watch Ro’s journey as the BBC’s Anna Collinson meets the people taking the chance to try and preserve their fertility in Egg Freezing and Me.

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Stress and fertility explained

The relationship between stress and fertility has been a hot topic for discussion for years. It is well documented that women experiencing infertility report elevated layers of stress, anxiety and depression. However, whether stress causes infertility is inconclusive.

Women get pregnant every day in very stressful conditions, but we know that elevated levels of cortisol, the stress hormone released by the body, can have a negative impact on the body as a whole, especially when experienced for extended periods. This can lead to inflammation which in turn affects menstruation, ovulation and embryo implantation.

One study found women who had high levels of an enzyme that indicated stress known as alpha-amylase in their saliva, took 29% longer to conceive compared to those who had less.

Similarly, studies have suggested there could be a link between stress and sperm quality, affecting sperm concentration and motility as well as abnormally- shaped sperm.

Steps to managing stress when undergoing IVF

Stress is a normal part of everyday life, but the emotional rollercoaster of IVF treatment on top of usual stressors can be overwhelming.

Moderate, short-lived stress actually has several benefits: it can enhance alertness, boost performance and improve memory function. When your stress response includes oxytocin, it can literally strengthen your heart, according to a recent study.

Unfortunately, long-term and unmanaged stress can have a hugely negative impact on your mental, emotional and physical health and dealing with infertility and undergoing fertility treatment is often a source of chronic stress.

Tips for thriving during your fertility treatment include:

  1. Get informed: one of the best and most practical ways to deal with the stress of IVF is to know and understand what is taking place and each step of your fertility journey.
  2. Be open to emotional support: we ensure all patients are aware of the physical demands of IVF before they embark on treatment, whether that’s the blood tests or injections required or the procedures they’ll have to undergo, but we also offer individuals and couples access to counselling options that can help them cope with the emotional impact of IVF.
  3. Prioritise yourself: IVF can be both physically and emotionally draining so it’s important you do not take on new commitments that could overwhelm you. Do not be afraid to say no to requests, whether that’s from work or friends and family.
  4. Take control of what you can control: there are so many aspects of IVF that are beyond your control, whether that’s the number of eggs harvested or embryos that would result. It is essential to focus your energy on what you can control, which could be working on your coping mechanisms so you can face each challenge as it arises.
  5. Reframe negative thoughts: negative thinking can be a significant source of stress but learning how to control these thoughts can increase your emotional resilience and reduce anxiety.

At Aria Fertility, we offer patients the opportunity to access counselling support from the very beginning of their journey and in our  Support Hub, we provide a guide to some of the organisations and practitioners offering fertility support, advice and information.

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Reciprocal IVF: What should my partner and I consider?

Emily Patrick and Kerry Osborn recently made UK history by being the first to give birth to each other’s babies in a process known as simultaneous reciprocal IVF. Ezra was conceived using Emily’s fertilised egg and carried by Kerry, while Elvis, born just a few weeks earlier, was carried by Emily using Kerry’s egg. The same sperm donor fertilised both eggs.

What is reciprocal IVF?

Reciprocal IVF is also referred to as shared motherhood, co-maternity, shared parenthood or intra-partner egg donation. It is a fertility treatment option that allows both partners in a same-sex female relationship to participate in the experience of conception and pregnancy.

If you choose to undergo reciprocal IVF, eggs are collected from one partner and fertilised in our lab using donor sperm. The most suitable embryo is then chosen for transfer into the other partner. Considerations include:

Choosing which partner will be the donor and which will be the carrier

At the beginning of your journey, both you and your partner will undergo a fertility check. The partner donating her eggs should have a good ovarian reserve, which is assessed by an ultrasound scan showing the number of follicles on each ovary, the small fluid-filled sacs that can potentially release an egg. Blood tests are also performed to measure certain hormones, such as anti-müllerian hormone (AMH). Low AMH levels can indicate a low ovarian reserve.

A pelvic ultrasound scan will also be performed to check the health of your and your partner’s uterus to facilitate a successful implantation.

These factors can highlight who is most suitable to be the donor or carry the pregnancy. However, if both of you have no fertility issues, it is up to you to make a personal choice, and we can provide you with our expertise and support when making that decision.

Understanding the risks

Neither role is free of risk as you’ll both be taking fertility medications, and both may experience side effects. Then, one partner will be going through pregnancy and childbirth.

As in the case of Emily Patrick and Kerry Osborn, if you are undergoing simultaneous or concurrent reciprocal IVF, then this may also mean unforeseen challenges as you may have very different experiences of pregnancy and childbirth.

Choosing the right sperm donor 

You can either use sperm from a known donor or from a sperm bank. At Aria, we provide the facility for sperm donors to donate their sperm on a known basis to either a friend, family member or someone else known to them.

We also work with several established sperm banks and can help advise and support you through the process. We will also inform you on when you should order donor sperm in advance of your treatment.

Understanding the legal implications

Understanding the legal implications of using a sperm donor and reciprocal IVF is vital. For example, if you and your partner are married, you are both the legal parents to the child born. However, you must consent to legal parenthood if you are not married before receiving treatment.

If you use sperm through a sperm bank, there are strict regulations regarding donors. A sperm donor can request confirmation of the number of children born, inducing gender and year of birth, but otherwise, the identity of the child and mother will remain anonymous. The donor will have no legal or financial rights or obligations in relation to the child. At the age of 18, your child will have the right to basic information about their sperm donor if they wish.

Using a known donor can be more complicated, so it is vital to obtain legal advice and consider a donor agreement. While they are not legally binding, they record the intentions of all involved.

Our team is here to answer any questions you may have and support you through the process of reciprocal IVF.

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Can I still get pregnant if I have endometriosis?

The good news is that if you’re suffering from endometriosis, it is still possible to conceive without intervention. It is estimated that 60 to 70% of women with mild to moderate endometriosis can get pregnant spontaneously. However, there is a link between endometriosis and infertility although it is not clear exactly why women with this condition may have a harder time becoming pregnant.

What is endometriosis?

Endometriosis is a very common, chronic gynaecological condition. The endometrium is the lining of the inner uterine wall and sometimes it can grow outside of the uterus. The most common places affected are the ovaries and fallopian tubes, but it can also affect the pelvis, bladder and intestines.

Even outside of the uterus, these abnormal tissue growths respond to the hormonal changes that occur during your menstrual cycle. This means that in women of a reproductive age, the growths thicken and then break down. As the tissue cannot leave the body in the normal way, pain and scarring occurs.

Reasons why you may have difficulty conceiving

Although the exact cause has not been identified, there are several reasons why approximately 40% of women with infertility have endometriosis:

  • Scarring can make it harder for the ovary to release an egg or block the egg from reaching the fallopian tube to be fertilised
  • Ovarian endometriosis can affect ovulation and the number of mature eggs that are released
  • Inflammation creates an inhospitable environment that affects both the egg and sperm, making fertilisation and subsequent implantation more challenging

Endometriosis and infertility: your next steps

Endometriosis can affect women of any age and can present from very early on. If you have been diagnosed with endometriosis, seeing a fertility specialist is recommended even if you’re not considering getting pregnant at that point.

A fertility specialist can assess the quantity and quality of your viable eggs, known as your ovarian reserve, as well as check the condition of your fallopian tubes or tubal patency. They will also assess your uterine cavity. This combined with the severity of your symptoms and your age, will be critical in determining the best treatment option.

These include laparoscopic endometriosis surgery, but this can reduce your ovarian reserve. When ready to start trying to conceive, IVF is often recommended although the success rates of IVF for those with endometriosis is about half that for those with other fertility issues.

Egg freezing is also an important treatment option to consider if you want to start a family in the future as endometriosis often gets progressively worse coupled with a natural decrease in fertility as you age.

If you’re worried about endometriosis and infertility, call +44 (0) 203 263 6025 to arrange a consultation with one of fertility experts. Consultant gynaecologist, Dr Amanda Tozer leads the Aria Women’s health clinic and provides bespoke gynae services. She has spent more than 20 years assisting couples experiencing infertility and trouble conceiving.

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