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Should we try another treatment cycle?

One more cycle

The majority of couples who go through fertility treatment eventually succeed. In most cases, multiple cycles are necessary before pregnancy is achieved. At some point, you or your partner – or the two of you together – may wonder whether to:

Go ahead with another cycle.
Take a break, or
Abandon treatment altogether.

These four questions may help frame your discussion

1. What are our chances of getting pregnant?

If you’re not sure about your chances of conception, discuss your doubts with your doctor. It’s important to know that there is no absolute success rate for treatments. Much depends on your age, the cause of your conception difficulties and the expertise of your medical team. The good news is that there is a large number of potential treatments available. Read more about the success rate of fertility treatments.

2. Is another treatment cycle asking too much of my body?

If you’ve found treatment physically demanding you may question whether you should start another cycle. Discuss any concerns you have about your physical condition with your doctor. Simple lifestyle changes can improve your wellbeing.

3. Are my stress levels too high?

If you feel overwhelmed by stress or are afraid that further treatment might be too much for you, professional psychological support may help. Don’t let a stressed state of mind stand in the way of achieving your pregnancy goal when it can be helped. Use the Fertility Compass to discover if you’re too distressed to continue treatment and whether you should see a psychologist.

4. Can our relationship withstand another round of treatment?

Fertility treatment is a stressful event that not only affects you as an individual, but also as a couple. You may fear that the stress of another cycle will add fresh strain to your relationship.

You may disagree over how many more treatment cycles to attempt.
The support you were expecting from one another may not be there.
Small habits or minor disagreements may become a source of greater friction.
You may question if your partner shares the same commitment to achieving pregnancy.
The balance of your life may seem lost. Fertility issues may seem to dominate every conversation.

It’s natural for couples to experience these kinds of problems. You may both be suffering distress, while at the same time looking to each other for support. It may seem difficult to understand how the other is feeling, or how best to help your partner.

You can’t force one another to react in a particular way. However you can discuss your expectations and how friends or professionals can add support. Use the Fertility Compass to see how your relationship will fare in another cycle.

Remember, the treatment journey belongs to you. Use the Fertility Compass to help organise your thoughts as you decide on another treatment cycle with your partner.

Fallopian tube

A funnel-shaped passage through which sperm are guided towards the egg, and fertilized eggs are conveyed to the uterine cavity.

Fertilization

The moment of conception when the genetic material contained in the sperm and egg combine to create an embryo. Fertilization usually occurs inside the fallopian tube. It may also occur in vitro during a clinical process. See also In Vitro Fertilization.

Fertility treatment

Any procedure used to enhance fertility or to help couples achieve pregnancy.

Fertility psychologist

A health specialist with professional qualifications in psychology and counselling relating to fertility issues.

Fibroid tumour

A benign (that is, not malignant or life-threatening) tumour made up of fibrous tissue that may form in the uterine wall. Fibroid tumours may be present without any symptoms, or may cause abnormal menstrual patterns or infertility.

Follicle

A fluid-filled sac in the ovary, which contains the egg released during ovulation. Each month a new egg matures and travels to the fallopian tube.

Follicle Stimulating Hormone

A hormone released by the pituitary gland in both sexes. In women, FSH stimulates the growth of the ovarian follicle necessary for egg production. In men, FSH stimulates and supports sperm production. Elevated FSH levels are associated with gonadotrophin failure in both men and women.

Freezing

(See Cryopreservation)

Cervical mucus

A natural lubricant produced by the female body that aids the transportation of sperm and helps protect against infection.

Cervix

The cervix or neck of the uterus is the lower, narrow portion of the uterus where it joins with the top end of the vagina.

Chlamydia

A sexually-transmitted infection, which may be asymptomatic or cause genital inflammation and discharge, pelvic pain and fever. Untreated, chlamydia can lead to Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) and fertility problems.

Chromosomes

Structures found in the nucleus of cells that contain genes and carry heredity information, such as eye colour, blood type and vulnerability to disease. Humans have 23 pairs of chromosomes. One set of 23 chromosomes is inherited from the biological mother via her egg and the other from the biological father, via his sperm. Each sperm cell contains either male or female sex chromosomes. As such, it determines the gender of the foetus. Genetic abnormalities occur when an individual is born missing a chromosome or has more copies of a chromosomal pair.

Clomiphene citrate

A prescription drug used to bring on ovulation. It comes as a tablet and is often used as an initial treatment for women with ovulation problems. Clomiphene citrate induces ovulation in 80% of women who have trouble ovulating on their own.

Conception

The moment of fertilization when the sperm meets and penetrates the egg.

Congenital abnormalities

Physical abnormalities present at birth.

Corpus luteum

A hormone-secreting mass within the ovary that forms from the remains of a follicle each time an egg is released. The hormones it produces prepare the uterus for embryo implantation. If pregnancy does not occur, the mass is shed during menstruation.

Cryopreservation

A technique used to store human tissue at very low temperatures. Embryos that are not used in an ART cycle may be preserved in this way for future use. Also known as “Freezing”.

Cryptorchidism

A condition usually detected at birth or childhood whereby the testicles fail to descend. When a male foetus develops in the uterus, his testicles normally form inside his abdomen and descend into the scrotum shortly before birth. Undescended testicles usually descend themselves by the sixth month of life, but are unlikely to descend after this period of their own accord.