Home
About
About Us Our Team
Our Services
All Departments Fertility Reproductive Surgery Recurrent Miscarriage Gynaecology Services
Pricing
Consultation Fees Fertility Assessment Packages Fertility Treatment Prices Investigations costs
FAQs
Contact us
Book an Appointment Send Message

JIVA Fertility

FAQs

What is infertility?

Infertility is a disease of the reproductive system, defined as ‘the failure to achieve a pregnancy after 12 months of regular unprotected sexual intercourse in a heterosexual relationship'.
‍
Infertility affects millions of people worldwide. The World Health Organisation estimates that approximately one in six individuals of reproductive age experience infertility.

What are our chances of conceiving?

It is estimated that if the female is under 40 years of age, has normal menstrual periods, and both partners do not have any medical problems, and are able to have regular (2-3 times per week), unprotected sexual intercourse in a heterosexual relationship, then at least 80 out of 100 couples in these circumstances will conceive within the first 12 months of trying. Half of the remaining couples will go on to conceive within the next 12 months.

When to seek help?

It is reasonable to request a private fertility clinic appointment at ANY TIME if you wish to gain a better understanding of your reproductive health for reassurance or to discuss fertility options.
‍
We encourage you to seek help after 12 months of trying if pregnancy has not occurred in a heterosexual relationship. However, we will be happy to see you sooner or even before trying if:
- The female partner is 36 years of age or older, or is known to have a gynaecological condition such as endometriosis, PCOS, fibroids, or has had a chlamydia infection or surgery on the ovaries or fallopian tubes.
- The male partner has a history of undescended testes, injury to or surgery on the scrotum, or mumps infection after puberty.
- Either partner has suffered a medical condition that required treatments affecting fertility, such as chemotherapy or radiotherapy.

I want to have two children, when should I start trying for pregnancy?

Fertility declines with age, both natural and assisted conception related. The below table is based on the information from a study. This gives you an idea of when to start trying for a pregnancy depending on the family size desired. This applies to natural conception and is different to assisted conception treatment. So, for you to be 90% certain of a two children family, you should start trying for pregnancy by the age of 27 years or sooner.
‍

3 Children

2 Children

1 Child

Chances of achieving family size

23 years

27 years

32 years

at least 90%

31 years

34 years

37 years

<= 75%

35 years

38 years

41 years

50%

Ref: Habbema, J. D. F., Eijkemans, M. J. C., Leridon, H., & te Velde, E. R. (2015). Realizing a desired family size: when should couples start? Human Reproduction, 30, 2215-2221.

What is a fertile window?

The fertile window is a specific time during each menstrual cycle when you have the best chances of conceiving, which is generally around the time of ovulation, i.e. when the egg is released from the ovaries.

It is predicted that most pregnancies occur if you have sexual intercourse starting from six days prior to ovulation and ending on the day of ovulation. As most women do not know when they ovulate, it is recommended that couples have regular sexual intercourse, at least every 2-3 days, throughout the menstrual cycle.

Should I be using ovulation kits or fertility tracking apps when trying to conceive?

There are many fertility tracking apps available for menstrual cycle tracking. You can use them to record your menstrual cycle, as they provide information about menstrual regularity.

There are also many ovulation kits available that predict ovulation by detecting certain reproductive hormones in the urine. However, we generally do not recommend using ovulation testing kits when trying to conceive, as you are likely to miss some crucial days in the fertile window. This may also add to the psychological stress caused by infertility. We recommend that heterosexual couples have regular sexual intercourse every 2-3 days throughout the menstrual cycle for the best chances of natural conception.

How can I optimise my chances of conceiving?

We encourage you:
To have regular sexual intercourse, at least 2-3 times per week
Make healthier lifestyle modifications:
    - stopping smoking,
    - maintain healthy weight
    - undertake moderate exercises regularly, at least 4-5 times a week
   - limit excessive alcohol consumption to 1 unit per week or even stop it
   - stop using recreational drugs
    - get enough sleep
    - manage stress effectively

Is there a diet that can help with fertility?

We recommend you to maintain healthy dietary patterns and eat a properly balanced diet with a high consumption of whole grains like brown rice, oats and wholemeal bread, monounsaturated or polyunsaturated oils, fruits and vegetables, oily foods such as fish, nuts and seeds and low salt intake.

We encourage you to avoid sugar, saturated fats from dairy products, fast foods rich in trans fats, processed meat/food and artificial sweeteners, and cut down caffeine intake.

We have a dedicated, independent Dietitian-Nutritionist who can provide appropriate guidance. Please visit https://yourgreekdietitian.com/ to book a Discovery Call with Maria Kolotourou.

Do you recommend any vitamin/food supplements?

The Department of Health recommends that all women planning a pregnancy take a daily supplement of 400 mcg of folic acid (Vitamin B9) starting three months before conception and continuing for the first 12 weeks of pregnancy to minimize the risk of the baby developing neural tube defects, such as spina bifida. Some women need a higher dose (5 mg/day), which we will advise at your appointment.

Public Health England suggests that everyone, including pregnant and lactating women, requires a daily intake of Vitamin D at a dose of 10 mcg per day (400 IU/day). The British Fertility Society suggests formal measurement of vitamin D levels, especially in high-risk groups, which we will discuss at your appointment.

We encourage men to stop using protein supplements or steroids.

We have a dedicated, independent Dietician-Nutritionist who can provide appropriate guidance. Please visit https://yourgreekdietitian.com/ to book a Discovery Call with Maria Kolotourou.

We have been trying to conceive for 24 months now, we have not conceived, what are the possible reasons?

The common causes of infertility are:
- Female age: Natural fertility declines with age.
- Problems with ovulation are responsible for infertility in 25% (one in four) of couples, damage to fallopian tubes in 20% (one in five) of couples, and in about 10% (one in ten) of couples, it is due to problems with the womb (fibroids or adenomyosis) or peritoneum (endometriosis).
- In about 30% (almost one in three) of couples, infertility is due to sperm abnormalities.
- A combination of factors in both the man and woman accounts for about 40% of infertile couples.
- Despite many tests, we are unable to find a cause for infertility in about one in four (25%) couples.

Can stress affect fertility?

Occasional stress is not likely to affect fertility, however chronic stress may cause hormonal imbalance and can cause problems with ovulation. Finding healthy ways to manage your stress can be beneficial for fertility.

What is an AMH test?

Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH) is a hormone produced by the cells of the primordial or pre-antral follicles (minute egg containing sacs) in your ovaries.

AMH can be measured through a simple blood test, which can be done at any point in your menstrual cycle.

As women get older, there is a reduction in the number and quality of eggs in the ovaries, which varies between individuals. AMH levels provide an indication of the number of eggs remaining in your ovaries (egg reserve or ovarian reserve) and help predict your ovaries' response to medications during fertility treatment. We use AMH levels to tailor treatment protocols to optimize the number of eggs retrieved and to minimize complications such as OHSS.

AMH levels can be affected by hormonal contraception, so we advise stopping contraception for 3-6 months for accurate results.

What is antral follicle count (AFC)?

Antral follicles are the egg-containing sacs (follicles) that can be seen in your ovaries during a trans-vaginal ultrasound scan (internal scan). AFC, like serum AMH is a good marker of your egg reserve.

Evaluation of Fallopian Tubes Patency

Fallopian tubes are two organs attached to the top of the womb (one on each side). They help in picking up the egg once released from the ovaries and then transporting it towards the womb cavity.

One in five women with infertility have problems in their fallopian tubes. The fallopian tubes can be damaged by vaginal/pelvic infection, inflammation due to endometriosis, previous surgery, or smoking, which can prevent the successful meeting of sperm and egg.

A HyCoSy (Hysterosalpingo-Contrast Sonography) is an outpatient procedure done to check the patency of the fallopian tubes. A small catheter is passed inside the womb cavity, and a contrast/foam is injected through the catheter. An internal (trans-vaginal) ultrasound scan is then performed to check the flow of the contrast/foam through the fallopian tubes into the pelvis if the tubes are open. Most people tolerate the procedure well, and we advise taking simple painkillers such as paracetamol and ibuprofen (if you are not allergic) one hour before the procedure.

An HSG (Hysterosalpingogram) is a procedure similar to HyCoSy, but x-rays are used instead of an ultrasound scan. This procedure is not available through JIVA Fertility.

Some may need a day-case surgical procedure called laparoscopy and dye test under general anesthesia, which will be advised either at the first appointment or after HyCoSy. This procedure will be offered through Mr. Harish Bhandari's private gynaecology practice at Nuffield Hospital, Leeds.

Semen Analysis - How do I prepare myself?

Semen analysis is a test to assess sperm parameters in semen, such as number (concentration or density), motility, and morphology, which provide crucial information about male fertility and reproductive health.

You must have a 2-5 day abstinence period prior to the day of your semen analysis. If you have had a fever within the last week or are on antibiotics for an infection, we advise you to wait two weeks before attending for semen analysis.

If the semen analysis is included in your chosen JIVA Fertility Assessment package, a detailed explanation of the results and appropriate advice will be given at your appointment. If not, please arrange an appointment (at an extra cost) to discuss the results with one of our consultants.

What is Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS)?

Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS) is a condition that can occur in women undergoing fertility treatments due to an exaggerated response to hormone medications used to stimulate the ovaries to produce eggs.

Symptoms of OHSS can range from mild to severe and generally start within a few days of using hormone medications, occasionally at a later date (late-onset).

The risk is higher if you are young, slim, have Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), or polycystic ovaries.

We at JIVA Fertility, are committed to reducing the risk of OHSS by using various strategies during fertility treatments.

What are the fertility treatment options for infertility?

We offer three types of fertility treatments for infertility:

‍Medical treatment: This involves the use of medications such as letrozole, clomifene citrate, or gonadotropins to induce ovulation if you are not releasing eggs regularly.

‍Surgical treatment: This includes procedures to improve fertility, such as:
- Laparoscopy for ablation of stage 1 or 2 endometriosis, removal or large ovarian cysts, repair of blocked fallopian tubes, or release of pelvic adhesions to improve natural conception or removal of badly damaged fallopian tube/s (hydrosalpinx) before IVF/ICSI treatment to optimise the chances of successful treatment.
- Surgical removal of fibroids (either through open surgery or hysteroscopy, depending on the location of the fibroids)
- Hysteroscopy for removal of endometrial polyps, release of adhesions (scarring) inside the womb cavity, or correction of womb cavity abnormalities.

‍Assisted Reproductive Technology: These include intrauterine insemination (IUI), in vitro fertilisation (IVF), and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).

What is Ovulation Induction (OI)?

Ovulation induction medications are used to stimulate follicles (egg-containing sacs) in your ovaries to produce and release eggs (ovulation) regularly. They are also used to control the timing of egg release, so intrauterine insemination (IUI) can be scheduled at the time most likely to result in pregnancy.
‍
Please refer to our OI Information Page for more details.

What is Intra-Uterine Insemination (IUI)?

Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) is a fertility treatment that involves placing sperm directly inside a woman’s uterus (womb) around ovulation to facilitate fertilisation.
‍
Please refer to our IUI Information Page for more details.

What is In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF)?

In vitro fertilisation (IVF) is a fertility treatment where eggs are retrieved from the ovaries after being stimulated with medications and fertilised with sperm in a laboratory. After a few days, one (very occasionally two if criteria is met) embryo is transferred into the womb for implantation, bypassing the fallopian tubes.
‍
Please refer to our IVF Information Page for more details.

What is Intra Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI)?

ICSI is similar to IVF treatment, but instead of allowing sperm to fertilise the egg naturally in laboratory, a good quality sperm is injected into the cytoplasm of the egg under microscope guidance.
‍
Please refer to our ICSI Information Page for more details.

What is Frozen Embryo Treatment (FET)?

Advances in embryo freezing (cryopreservation) technology have made frozen embryo treatment (FET) a fertility treatment option which will give you another opportunity to achieve pregnancy without having to undergo stimulation of ovaries or the egg collection procedure.

We can freeze good-quality embryos during an IVF/ICSI treatment cycle which can later be thawed and transferred inside the womb cavity, after suitable preparation of the endometrium (lining of the womb).

Please refer to our FET Information Page for more details.

Using donated sperm, eggs or embryos

We will discuss with you about using donor gametes or embryos if:
- You are in a same sex relationship
- You wish to have fertility treatment as a single parent
- You are not producing eggs or sperm of your own
- Your own sperm or eggs are not likely to result in a pregnancy
- You have a high risk of passing on an genetic condition

Before you make a decision about using a donor, we encourage you to read the information available on the Donor Conception Network, and we will arrange an Implications Counselling with our Senior Specialist Fertility Counsellor.

What is Surrogacy?

Surrogacy is a process when a woman carries and gives birth to a baby for another person or couple.

Surrogacy may be appropriate for women if they have a medical condition that makes it dangerous for them to conceive or give birth or if it is impossible for them to get pregnant, either due to absence or malformation of the womb or they have experienced repeated pregnancy losses or IVF failures.
It is an option for single-men wishing to father a child as a single parent or for male same-sex couples who want to extend their families.

What is Fertility Preservation?

Fertility preservation is a process which allows you to freeze your gametes (eggs or sperm) for future use, giving you the choice of when to start a family. The number and quality of eggs decline with age and the best time to freeze your eggs is before you are 35 years of age.

Please refer to our Fertility Preservation Information Page for more details.

What are treatment add-ons?

Treatment add-ons are optional, additional, non-essential treatments that may be offered along with proven fertility treatments (IUI/IVF/ICSI) for various reasons, with a view to:
- Improve chances of having a baby
- Reduce the risk of miscarriage
- Reduce complications of fertility treatment.

For most patients, treatment add-ons are NOT required; however the use of some of these may be justifiable in certain circumstances as part of the proven fertility treatment.

At JIVA Fertility, we only offer treatments that may be beneficial. We encourage you to discuss whether a treatment add-on would be appropriate for your personal circumstances.

Come & Visit Us

New York, NY 10001

123 Main Street

Apt 4B

Contact: +123 456-7890

Los Angeles, CA 90012

456 Elm Avenue

Suite 300

Contact: +122 555-1212

This site is for information purposes only and is not a substitute for medical consultation, diagnosis, or treatment. We suggest arranging a suitable specialist appointment if you wish to discuss your medical issues

Quick Links

Home

Appointment

Terms and Conditions

Our Clinic and Partner IVF Centres

JIVA Fertility

Living Care, Thorpe Park Clinic, 4600 Park Approach,
Thorpe Park, Leeds, LS15 8GB
Private.services@livingcare.co.uk
Telephone: 0113 539 4646
https://www.livingcare.co.uk/

Our Partner IVF Clinics

Clinic A

TBC

Clinic B

TBC

Clinic C

TBC

Contact

Email: hello@jivafertility.co.uk
WhatsApp (messages only):
(0044) 73 520 72459