The most important thing you can do when making decisions about fertility treatment is to ensure you are well informed. Get clear, impartial information on the different types of fertility treatments available and find out about costs and funding, the risks of treatment, using a donor and having treatment abroad.
Acronyms are common in the medical world, and it’s no different when it comes to fertility treatment. Don’t be outfaced by the jargon – read our clear explanations of the different treatment options, who they’re suitable for and the risks involved.
Explore fertility treatmentsPreserving your fertility involves freezing your eggs, sperm, embryos or reproductive tissue so that you can hopefully have a biological family in the future. Read about why you might want to preserve your fertility and the different treatment options available.
Find out about fertility preservationIf you have a serious inherited disease in your family, embryo testing and treatments can be used to avoid passing the disease onto any children you might have. Find out about your options and the things to consider.
Find out about embryo testing and treatmentYou might be thinking about going to another country for treatment because the price is often lower. Find out about the important issues to consider when thinking about this option and where to go for advice on finding a clinic.
Find out more about treatment abroad
Fertility treatments are generally very safe. However, there are some risks to be aware of, which range from mild discomfort to more serious conditions. Understand all the risks and what you need to look out for.
Find out more about risks of fertility treatment
If you can’t use your own eggs and/or sperm, you’re in a same sex couple, or you’re a single woman, you can have fertility treatment using donated eggs, sperm or embryos. Find out more about using sperm, eggs or embryos from a donor.
Find out more about using a donor
“The most important thing you can do when making decisions about fertility treatment is to ensure you are well informed.”
Your clinic may offer you optional ‘extras’ on top of your normal fertility treatment, often at an additional cost, but not all of these have been proven to be effective. Find out more about what these treatments involve and what evidence there is for them so you can make an informed decision.
Complementary and alternative therapies may be suggested to patients undergoing fertility treatment to help with relaxation or general wellbeing. This page explains what these therapies are and the costs of them.
Find out more about complementary and alternative therapiesIf you need to have fertility treatment you have two options: you can either pay for it yourself or you can see if you’re eligible for treatment on the NHS. Find out more about your options.
Find out more about costs and funding for fertility treatmentIf you’re travelling to, or have been to, a country or area with a risk for Zika virus transmission, there are some precautions you should take. Read the guidance from Public Health England.
Publication date: 20 June 2022
Review date: 20 June 2024
