Fertility
1-minute read
Follow the links below to find trusted information about fertility.
Last reviewed: May 2018
Need more information?
These trusted information partners have more on this topic.
Top results
Fertility Factors - Alcohol on Vimeo
Ever seen drunk eggs and sperm trying to get together? No? Now's your chance... This video is part of the Fertility Factors series and the Your Fertility campaign.
Read more on Your Fertility website
Obesity and Fertility | myVMC
Obesity may be defined as a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher. It is a medical condition in which excess body fat builds up to the extent that the health of the individual becomes negatively affected. It is becoming increasingly common in both men and women in Western developed nations, including Australia and the US, and exerts significant financial pressure on health care systems.
Read more on myVMC – Virtual Medical Centre website
Preparing for conception on Vimeo
Fertility counsellor Cailin Jordan talks about preconception health and what men and women can do to give themselves the best chance of conceiving. This video is
Read more on Your Fertility website
Smoking and fertility
Read more on Your Fertility website
Smoking and fertility
Read more on Your Fertility website
Suspecting infertility | VARTA
Most people take their fertility for granted and do not expect to have problems conceiving.However, one in nine couples experience fertility difficulties. What to do if you suspecta problem If you have been trying to conceive for a year or more, it is time to seek medical advice.If you are over 35, you should see a doctor if you have been trying to conceive for six months or more.
Read more on VARTA - Victorian Assisted Reproductive Treatment Authority website
From the experts
Read more on Your Fertility website
Fertility | Redkite
The ability to have a baby in future is an important topic that every young cancer patient should know about. It doesnt matter if youre male or female, in a relationship, older or younger, or even if youve finished treatment already, you need to know what your options are.
Read more on Redkite website
Men and fertility
Read more on Your Fertility website
Fertility | Jean Hailes - Anxiety: Learn, Think, Do
We know that women experience anxiety more than men, but it makes life even more difficult if you are also struggling with fertility problems. If you would like to know more about worry and anxiety at this time in your life you have come to the right plac
Read more on Jean Hailes for Women's Health website
Top results
Effects of caffeine, alcohol and smoking on fertility
There is an increasing body of evidence that lifestyle factors affect fertility. As most lifestyle factors can be modified, providing advice and support in making healthy lifestyle changes can promote fertility. The evidence relating to the effects on fertility of caffeine, alcohol consumption and smoking are discussed here.
Read more on Your Fertility website
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are prevalent across Australia and the incidence of some STIs is rising. Some STIs can impact fertility in both men and women, affect a woman’s ability to carry a pregnancy, and influence child health outcomes.
Read more on Your Fertility website
Age, fertility and assisted reproductive technology
In most developed countries the age of childbearing is increasing. In Australia in 2000 the median age of women giving birth was 29.8 years. By 2006 this increased to 30.8 years and since 2007 has remained at 30.7 years.
Read more on Your Fertility website
The role of exercise in improving fertility, quality of life and emotional well-being
Being overweight or obese impairs male and female fertility and reduces the chance of spontaneous and assisted conception. Weight management is crucial in preventing and treating infertility. Exercise is a key component of weight management.
Read more on Your Fertility website
You’re in a relationship? It’s OK to use the ‘F’ word
Family. There, we’ve said it. Many couples put off discussing when to start theirs. But don’t wait too long. Fertility rates and the chances of having healthy children start to drop sooner than you might imagine.
Read more on Your Fertility website
Micronutrient (Zinc and Selenium) supplements and subfertility
Recent systematic reviews of the effects of micronutrients on male fertility have identified clear positive effects on basic sperm characteristics [1-3]. The vast majority of studies reviewed found that micronutrients, particularly those that are antioxidants or aid their function, significantly reduce sperm oxidative stress or DNA damage in subfertile males but greater evidence is required to clearly state whether these improvements translate to improved fertility [1-3].
Read more on Your Fertility website
Psychological and educational interventions for subfertile men and women | Cochrane
Background: Approximately one-fifth of all subfertile couples seeking fertility treatment show clinically relevant levels of anxiety, depression, or distress. Psychological and educational interventions are frequently offered to subfertile couples, but their effectiveness, both in improving mental health and pregnancy rates, is unclear.
Read more on Cochrane (Australasian Centre) website
Hormones for contraception (birth control) in men | Cochrane
Researchers have tried to develop contraceptives for men that would be like birth control pills for women. Hormone birth control for men has been hard to achieve. Giving sex hormones to men can lower the sperm produced. However, this approach also lowers the male hormone testosterone in the body, so some testosterone has to be 'added back.' This review looks at the randomized controlled trials of giving hormones to men to prevent their sexual partners from becoming pregnant.
Read more on Cochrane (Australasian Centre) website
Surgery or embolization for varicoceles in subfertile men | Cochrane
Varicocele is a dilatation (enlargement) of the veins along the spermatic cord (the cord suspending the testis) in the scrotum. Dilatation occurs when valves within the veins along the spermatic cord fail and allow retrograde blood flow, causing a backup of blood. The mechanisms by which varicocele might affect fertility have not yet been explained, and neither have the mechanisms by which surgical treatment of the varicocele might restore fertility. This review analysed 10 studies (894 participants) and found evidence (combined odds ratio was 1.47 (95% CI 1.05 to 2.05) to suggest an increase in pregnancy rates after varicocele treatment compared to no treatment in subfertile couples, in whom, apart from poor sperm quality, varicocele in the man was the only abnormal finding. This means that 17 men would need to be treated to achieve one additional pregnancy. However, findings were inconclusive as the quality of the available evidence was very low and more research is needed with live birth or pregnancy rate as the primary outcome.
Read more on Cochrane (Australasian Centre) website
Nonlatex compared to latex male condoms for birth control | Cochrane
The male condom can prevent pregnancy by keeping sperm out of the birth canal. Nonlatex condoms can be used by people who are allergic or sensitive to latex. Some people may not have used latex condoms because they did not like them. This review compared nonlatex condoms with latex condoms. The main issues were effect on birth control, whether the condom broke or slipped, and which condom people liked.
Read more on Cochrane (Australasian Centre) website
