Is something wrong with us?
When individuals and couples are struggling to conceive, they often assume that something is drastically wrong – that one or other of them has a condition that is preventing them from falling pregnant. However, the way we live can also have a huge impact on how fertile we are. This includes what we eat and drink, how much weight we are carrying, how much exercise we do, and whether we smoke. Making small changes in how we live our daily lives can sometimes have a profound effect on our ability to conceive.
We’ll guide you through the steps you can take to optimise your fertility
Diet and lifestyle factors
As part of your initial fertility assessment, we will look at a range of diet and lifestyle factors to see if some of your daily routines and habits could be contributing to your fertility issues. We will then provide specific advice on what changes you and your partner can make to optimise your fertility and increase your chances of falling pregnant naturally. Fertility optimisation strategies might include consuming caffeine in moderation, exercising regularly and maintaining a healthy weight – all of which can contribute to your overall reproductive health.
For more information on fertility optimisation and how diet and other lifestyle factors can affect your fertility, read this article from our knowledge hub.
Timing intercourse
Well-timed intercourse can also improve your chances of falling pregnant naturally. By helping you recognise the signs of ovulation (the release of an egg from your ovarian follicles), we can help you pinpoint when you are most fertile each month and should try to conceive naturally. Timing sexual intercourse during this fertile window can help create the right conditions for natural conception.
Additional assessments
Alongside a thorough clinical assessment, your fertility specialist may also ask you to undergo some fertility testing. There is a range of tests that can help us understand more about your fertility needs, including:
- Evaluation of the male partner: A semen analysis is the primary test for male fertility. It provides an assessment of overall sperm health by looking at semen volume, sperm concentration and count, sperm motility (movement) and sperm morphology (shape).
- Evaluation of the female partner: There are several different tests that can be used to investigate female fertility. These include basic blood tests and imaging studies that help us assess your ovulation patterns and ovarian reserve. Where appropriate, we may also recommend diagnostic procedures like a laparoscopy or hysteroscopy, which may also provide an opportunity for immediate treatment, e.g. removal of endometriosis lesions, tubal flushing.
All of these tests can be performed at our flagship treatment centre in Box Hill, with some tests also available at our other Melbourne-based clinics in Clayton and East Melbourne.
