Fertility treatment is also called assisted conception. This means the medical treatments that can be used to help people who have difficulty getting pregnant naturally. Fertility treatment covers a lot of different treatments.
getting fertility treatment
Your starting point for fertility treatment will usually be your GP. They may arrange for you to have some initial tests and will refer you to an NHS doctor specialising in fertility issues. You can ask to be referred to a private doctor if you like.
If you want to have treatment with a partner rather than as a single person, your partner may also need to have some basic fertility tests, which the GP can arrange. There’s no charge for these tests for NHS patients.
at the fertility clinic
The fertility clinic may be called the Department of Reproductive Medicine or Assisted Conception Unit. If you have already discussed your fertility and had any additional tests at one of your cancer check-ups, the test results will usually have been passed on to your GP. Your GP will send them to the fertility specialist.
At the clinic the specialist will discuss your situation with you. They will answer any questions that you have, arrange for some further tests and can tell you about any treatments that may be suitable for you.
which fertility clinic?
This depends on whether you’re an NHS patient or whether you want to pay for private treatment. If you are an NHS patient your GP will usually suggest a referral to a particular clinic. If you have already had contact with a fertility unit for sperm or embryo storage or to have your fertility checked, it may be possible for you to be referred back to the same clinic.
If you want to have private treatment you can choose which clinic to go to but you may need to get a referral letter from your GP.
You can get details of all the assisted conception clinics in the country by contacting the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority – HFEA. The HFEA has a free patients guide with advice about how to choose a clinic and questions to ask about the treatments.
will I have to pay for fertility treatment?
Some types of fertility treatment are free for people below a certain age, in some parts of the UK. Unfortunately, many people have to pay for treatment. Eligibility varies in different parts of the country.
Your GP or fertility doctor should be able to let you know whether you are able to have fertility treatment on the NHS. Although there are national guidelines about providing fertility treatment, there are still local variations.
If you’re not eligible for NHS treatment or are worried that you may have to wait a long time for treatment in your area, you might have to think about having private treatment. There are no standard charges for private treatment so you will need to contact clinics directly to find out how much the treatment costs.
Clinics should be able to give you information on treatments, including the success rates and costs. You can then make an appointment to discuss the treatment more fully.
can I have fertility treatment if I’m single or gay?
if you are lesbian or single
You aren’t automatically excluded from treatment if you are lesbian or single. However, it may affect your right to get free NHS treatment. Some private clinics don’t treat lesbians or single people – though others do.
Staff in fertility clinics will need to know if you’re a single woman or in a lesbian relationship. This is so that they can advise you about particular legal aspects that apply to becoming a parent.
if you are a gay man or in a gay relationship
There are currently no fertility treatments available in the UK for single gay men and gay couples. The only way for gay men to become legal parents is to adopt a child.
advice and support if you are lesbian, gay or single
If you are lesbian, gay or single, you can ask your GP about the issues around fertility treatment. You can also contact one of the national support groups for confidential advice, such as Infertility Network UK or Pink Parents.
