Fertility Health and Wellbeing

Fertility is your natural ability to conceive and have a baby. Both male and female reproductive health play an equal part. For women, factors such as egg quality, hormone levels and the condition of the uterus and fallopian tubes all play a role. For men, fertility depends on producing healthy sperm that can reach and fertilise an egg. Sperm count, movement and shape all contribute to this.

For women, your menstrual cycle is also an important part of fertility. A typical cycle lasts around 28 days, during which your body prepares for the possibility of pregnancy. Each month, a mature egg is released from the ovary, and if sperm is present at the right time, fertilisation may occur. If not, the egg and the womb lining are shed during your period.

Hormones such as oestrogen, progesterone and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) guide each stage of the cycle. They influence how the egg develops, when ovulation takes place and how the womb prepares for implantation. Understanding these changes can help you recognise your most fertile days and notice any patterns that might affect your chances of conceiving.

What causes infertility in women?

Your fallopian tubes play a vital role in conception. They’re where the egg and sperm meet and where the first few days of embryo development take place. If the tubes are blocked or damaged, it can make conception more difficult.

Other factors that can affect female fertility include:

• Conditions that affect ovulation, such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
• Lower egg numbers or reduced egg quality
• Blocked fallopian tubes
• Endometriosis, where tissue similar to the womb lining grows outside the uterus
• Differences in the shape of the uterus that may influence conception

These conditions can affect how often you ovulate, how your eggs develop or how sperm and egg meet.

What causes infertility in men?

Male fertility problems can be caused by a range of factors, including:

• Low sperm count
• Poor sperm movement
• Abnormal sperm shape
• Absence of sperm
• Hormonal issues
• Genetic conditions
• Illness, injury or environmental factors

A semen test can identify many of these causes by assessing the number of sperm, how well they move and their shape, which can often guide the next steps quickly.

If any of these factors fall outside the expected range, it may reduce the chance of conception. You can provide a sample in one of our private clinic rooms or use one of our home test kits if you prefer. Ideally, you should avoid ejaculation for two to seven days before the test to help ensure the sample is as accurate as possible.