Infertility support and guidance

[TheTicklishHedgehog]

Hi, I was wondering if anyone else has found the support and guidance about fertility lacking? Currently we’ve been TTC for two years and now on the IVF path (private as already have a DC who took us a year to conceive).

Recently I asked my GP if there was anyone we could talk to about our fertility apart from going down the private route and was told to Google things to help us get pregnant.(not particularly helpful)

There are so many supplements and I appreciate everyone is different but just feel like there could be more support and guidance.

Questions:
Do supplements actually help?
Does vaginal PH have any indicator on whether sperm survives?
Does speed at which ejaculation happens have any affect? (Oozes compared to shooting out)
Orgasms after conception window?
Ovulation cramps and cramping after?

Thanks in advance.

1. No
2. Evidence base around this is poor, probably not, no
3. No
4. No
5. No

Robert Winston's 'the essential fertility guide' is an excellent, evidence based resource worth reading. His website the genesis research trust is also good, as is the HFEA site. It is a real minefield but I would encourage you to stick to reputable sources of info and avoid blogs/highly marketed books etc. I think part of the challenge is even within the field there are winding ranging opinions of best treatment. A review with a fertility consultant might help but I'd encourage you to do your own reading as well, as sadly there are lots of unscrupulous clinics just looking to make money, to make the situation even more complicated! Once you've found one you trust though, it tends to get a bit easier. Good luck.

Sorry, to be more specific, the answer to 2. technically is of course yes, as pH affects the ability of anything to survive at extremes! But I think you're referring to the area of reproductive medicine that relates to the microbiome, which has limited research to support it.

@SErunner thank you. It is such a minefield with so many companies pushing their product and they get you as you’ll do anything to get pregnant.

I’ll have a read of his work.

thanks again.

GPs have very limited knowledge when it comes to fertility. In my experience at least. You could have a consult with a fertility specialist before you start ivf. Write a list of any questions you may have. And ask. That’s how I usually prepared. Google is a very controversial friend.

I like this website as well:

https://www.remembryo.com/