There are many who know that trying to start a family is not always as straight forward as biology lessons would lead us to believe. One in seven couples in the UK experience problems conceiving.
The number of couples who conceive within a few months of trying is low; it is more likely to take up to a year before a woman gets pregnant. Even then, pregnancy is not guaranteed. Many couples find they are still waiting for the patter of tiny feet some 18 months after first dispensing with contraception.
Advertisement
One of the best ways to put a couple’s mind at ease during what can be a stressful and difficult time is knowing their fertility status. A new fertility testing product called Fertell allows couples to asses whether they need further help in the comfort of their own home.
ITV football presenter Gaby Logan and her husband Kenny Loggan, the Scottish rugby international, have experienced at first hand the stresses and strains of trying for a family. The couple tried for three years to have a baby and went through a series of tests before successfully conceiving their twins through IVF.
Logan says that she and Kenny would definitely have used Fertell if it had been available when they were trying for a baby. She says: “I like the fact that it’s a test for both of you and that it gives you answers at home. It’s a great first step that doesn’t involve doctors.”
Advertisement
“This test can be reassuring,” adds Logan. “If everything is OK, then you can feel relaxed about trying for a bit longer. But if it’s not, you can go back to your doctor and talk about starting some tests straight away.”
Charles Kingsland, consultant gynaecologist at Liverpool Women’s Hospital, developed the Fertell female test. It measures the level of the follicle-stimulating hormone, which is an accurate indicator of ovarian responsiveness. The test is conducted in a similar way to a pregnancy or ovulation prediction testing kit using a urine sample. The result is available within 30 minutes.
The Fertell male fertility test, developed by Professor Chris Barratt of the University of Birmingham, assesses the concentration and quality of semen produced by measuring the ability of sperm to swim through a human cervical mucus substitute. All the man has to do is place a sample of semen into the collecting well of the male kit and the result is available within 80 minutes.
Advertisement
Kenny Logan says he has had three sperm tests over the past three years and while he doesn’t feel it’s embarrassing, it can be uncomfortable. “But,” he says, “It would have been so much easier to do it in private at home rather than in a room at a clinic, which wasn’t a great experience. With Fertell, the results are instant so there’s no agony of waiting.”
For peace of mind, Fertell offers a free telephone information service staffed by qualified nurses. It’s open Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm and Saturday to Sunday, 10am to 4pm. For all customers living in the UK, the number to dial is 0800 731 8267. For those living in the Republic of Ireland, the number is 1800 882 367.
The Fertell fertility kit is available over the counter at Boots. For more information, and helpful advice for both healthcare professionals and couples, visit www.fertell.co.uk