Complementary therapies

Using ultrasound imaging, we can test if your fallopian tubes are open. Visit our East of England clinics, including those in Cambridge, Colchester, Norwich and Wickford, for expert fertility tests.

The fallopian tubes play a vital role in natural conception. They are the place where sperm and egg meet and where the embryo is nurtured for the first five days of its existence. We test them using the HyCoSy diagnostic test.

This involves placing a thin catheter into the uterus. A small balloon on the tip is inflated to seal the uterus entrance. Once in place, a small amount of effervescent fluid is injected into the uterus.

By ultrasound imaging the fluid can be tracked in real time as it passes from the uterus and through the fallopian tubes. If the fluid is seen spilling from the end of each tube, tubal patency is confirmed. If this fails to happen, the tubes may be damaged.

The procedure is similar to an internal examination like a smear test and is available at our clinics in Cambridge, Colchester, Norwich, Wickford and throughout the East of England. It is best carried out between day eight and day 15 of your cycle, although it can be done at any time after bleeding has stopped.

Health and lifestyle are an important factor when undergoing fertility treatment. We believe you should have every opportunity to optimise your health and lifestyle.

Supplements can help your chances of conception, but you need to take a fertility supplement that has been proven to help.

Impryl can boost your chances of conception and is suitable for both men and women. It provides balanced support to your metabolism, containing activated micronutrients that help every cell: from the biggest (eggs) to the smallest (sperm). This helps ensure that the egg or sperm are of the best quality to conceive.

For the best chance of success, take Impryl for at least three months.

If you have PCOS and are finding it difficult to conceive, Inofolic Alpha can maximise your chances of success by helping improve ovulation and egg quality. It also helps reduce your PCOS symptoms such as unwanted hair, acne and oily skin. It provides you with a unique formulation that contains myo-inositol, folic acid and alpha-lactalbumin.

Did you know that about 35-45% of people struggle to absorb myo-inositol? Myo-inositol absorption is helped by taking it in combination with alpha-lactalbumin which is in Inofolic® Alpha.

Inofolic® Alpha is available in sachet form and Inofolic® Alpha plus is available in capsule form and this is recommended for anyone with a BMI of over 25.

To give your body the best chance, take Inofolic® Alpha or Inofolic® Alpha for at least 3 months.

You can purchase both Impryl and Inofolic Alpa through our partner, Fertility Family or directly from our clinics.

Under normal circumstances, ovulation occurs once a month when a ripened egg which is ready to be fertilised is released from the ovaries. For couples who are trying to conceive, regular ovulation is incredibly important as this is when a woman is most fertile. If a woman isn’t ovulating properly, fertility drugs can be prescribed in order to boost the natural system and increase the chances of successful conception.

This leaflet provides an overview of how fertility drugs are used during your treatment.

One of the ways to find out is to take a look inside with a private hysteroscopy or uterus test, available at our IVF fertility clinic in Cambridge.

Normal structure and function of the uterus (womb) and its lining (endometrium) are essential for the success of natural and IVF assisted conception. A private hysteroscopy, also knows as a uterus test, is the detailed examination of the inside of your uterus to check the cavity and lining. Some uterine or endometrial abnormalities can contribute to the inability to accept an embryo or to miscarriage, and can be corrected.

It is a relatively simple procedure usually taking less than 30 minutes. In most cases, you have the examination without anaesthesia, although you may experience period-like pains.

You may need a hysteroscopy if:

• You have bleeding or spotting during your cycle, other than menstrual bleeding
• You have known endometrial abnormalities that have been noted on an ultrasound
• You have had a uterine intervention in the past, such as: termination of pregnancy; manual removal of the placenta; hysterotomy; or complicated caesarean section
• You have a history of recurrent miscarriage or failed implantation

Hysteroscopy is best done during the second half of your menstrual cycle, but can be performed at any time, as long as you are not having your period.

For further information, get in touch with us.

In the UK, you can receive NHS funding for IVF up to the age of 42 (if you meet the criteria). However, as a private clinic, Bourn Hall has no upper age restrictions. Cases are considered on an individual basis. We judge each case on the likelihood of success and, if a patient’s chance of success is very low, we would not recommend treatment. More information on IVF over 40 is available here.

There are many potential causes of infertility and fertility problems can affect either partner. But in a third of cases of infertility, these are caused by female factors.

These broadly include: ovulatory disorders (including PCOS); poor egg quantity or absence of eggs; blocked fallopian tubes; endometriosis; or physical problems with the uterus; and, in about a third of the cases, unexplained infertility.

Find out more about these major causes of female infertility.

We know that struggling to conceive is emotionally challenging, and that many patients feel their anxiety about fertility treatment has been amplified by the COVID-19 situation. We want all our patients to be able to access much-needed support during this truly difficult and uncertain time.

Our dedicated fertility nurses and patient Support Coordinators are available to support you and provide advice during your journey. Our nurses can also refer you to our independent fertility counsellors who are offering appointments by telephone, in-person or virtually.

One of our counsellors has also written several blogs to support your physical and emotional wellbeing including advice about coping with uncertainty to help you process your emotions.

Our Fertility Support Group, held virtually, is led by an independent fertility counsellor, and other members of our Bourn Hall family. Joining the group meeting gives you the opportunity to talk to other people experiencing infertility, with members supporting each other on what can be an emotional journey.

If you would like to join a group meeting, please register your interest via our events page and our In Treatment team will be in touch with further details of how to join.