Information for the public

Questions to ask

Questions to ask

These questions may help you discuss your condition or the treatments you have been offered with your healthcare team.

Fertility problems

  • Can you explain more about how my age affects my fertility?

  • Are there any useful national or local support organisations I could contact about fertility problems?

  • Can you provide some written information for me about fertility problems and their treatment?

  • What fertility treatment might I be able to have on the NHS?

  • How do I face the uncertain future and make a plan for the outcome of my fertility treatment – whether that's by having a child or accepting that I will not?

Fertility tests

  • When and where can these fertility tests be carried out, and how long does it take to get the results?

  • Can we still conceive naturally despite a low sperm count?

  • Can you explain more about the different tests for examining the fallopian tubes and which one I will need?

  • What happens next if no problems are found in our fertility tests?

Treatments

General

  • Can you tell me why you have decided to offer me this particular type of treatment?

  • What are the pros and cons of this treatment?

  • What will it involve?

  • Are there any risks associated with this treatment?

  • What are my options for taking treatments other than the one you have offered me?

  • Is there some other information (like a leaflet, DVD or a website I can go to) about the treatment that I can have?

Treating the causes of fertility problems

  • I am unable to ejaculate: can you explain the treatment options available to help me?

  • I have an ovulation disorder: can you explain which type of ovulation induction treatment would be most suitable for me?

  • What are my chances of having a multiple pregnancy with this treatment?

  • Can you explain more about laparoscopic ovarian drilling and whether this may help me?

  • If I have endometriosis, can I still conceive naturally? What are the treatment options to help me?

  • Is there any treatment we can try for unexplained infertility?

Intrauterine insemination

  • If the man's sperm count is low would IUI help us to conceive?

  • Can you explain more about the procedures involved in using donor sperm for IUI?

IVF treatment

  • What are my chances of having a baby through IVF?

  • Can you explain more about the relative merits of using ICSI or donor insemination?

  • Can you tell me about the risks of fertility treatment and pregnancy in women aged over 40?

  • How many embryos should I have transferred?

  • Can you explain more about the risks of multiple pregnancy?

  • Can you give me more information about the long‑term risks of IVF?

  • Can you give me some other information (like a leaflet, DVD or a website I can go to) about IVF?

  • If IVF does not work, can we choose to try IVF with ICSI?

  • Are there any long‑term safety risks of using ICSI?

Freezing sperm, eggs and embryos

  • Should I delay my cancer treatment long enough to have my eggs or embryos collected for cryopreservation?

  • If I do not have my eggs or embryos collected what are my likely options in the future for having children?

  • Will having my eggs collected make my illness worse?

  • Information Standard