For Patients

An estimated one in seven couples have difficulty conceiving. There are several possible reasons why it may not be happening naturally. Fertility can be affected in both men and women. Sometimes, the exact cause is never established. In the UK around one baby in 80 is born as a result of IVF treatment.

Share your story and help others

 

Have you had any of the following and want to share your story?

ICSI, PGS, IVM, egg sharing, using a donor in treatment, surrogacy, blastocyst transfer or single embryo transfer.

These stories will be used on our website and Guide to Infertility. If you are interested, email patientstories@hfea.gov.uk

Getting started

• About infertility: Worried about infertility? You're not alone-find out more about it.
• Your health: What can you do to maximise your chance of conceiving? Read our useful guide to making lifestyle changes.
• Where and when to get help: How do I get emotional support, are there support groups?
• Patient stories: People who have had treatment share their stories and pass on their tips.
• Patients' panel: Join our online panel and see what others are telling us
  

more about getting started

Fertility Treatments

• Treatments explained: Selecting a fertility treatment isn't as straightforward as you might think. We flag up the importance of your individual circumstances, and dispel the myths surrounding a one-size-fits all approach. 
• IVF Treatment Lifecycle: In vitro fertilisation (IVF) has helped thousands of people who otherwise couldn't have children. Read about the stages of IVF treatment. 
• Treatment FAQs: Can't find the information you're looking for? Read our frequently asked questions about treatment.
• FAQs about importing donor sperm or embryos from abroad 
• Risks associated with fertility treatment: Find out about the risks associated with fertility treatment.
• Fertility treatment abroad: Before beginning your treatment abroad, the HFEA advises that you find out about the standards and regulations in the country where you will be treated.
• Reproductive Immunology and fertility treatment: You may have read about new tests and treatments relating to the immune system, referred to as ´reproductive immunology', read more about it.

more about treatments

Funding

• Funding: How will your treatment be paid for? Find out whether you're eligible for NHS funding, or whether you'll have to pay for it.

more about funding

Fertility Clinics

• Choosing a fertility clinic: From location to special expertise, we take you through how to choose a clinic.
• Understanding success rates: What do clinic treatment success rates really mean? Find tips on interpreting statistics.
• Clinic finder: Looking for a clinic? Try our new tool to find HFEA licensed clinics in the UK.
• Complaints about licensed centres: How do I complain about a licensed centre? What is the process?
• FAQs about choosing a clinic:

more about clinics  

Read our publications for patients including the Guide to infertility, New patient factsheets and HFEA leaflets.

more about publications