Couples should be referred for specialist review after regular unprotected intercourse over 12 months. Early referral should be considered for the following reasons:

For women,

• Over the age of 35 years
• Oligomenorrhoea or amenorrhoea
• Significant endometriosis or other pelvic disease
• Abnormal pelvic examination
• Recurrent miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy
• Early menopause

For men,

• Reduced semen quality (concentration, motility, morphology, anti-sperm antibodies)
• Abnormal examination, varicocele
• Previous genital surgery or pathology

Those patients who are being referred to MFC for fertility treatment should have the following tests completed prior to their initial fertility appointment:

• Progesterone (7 days before your next period)
• Rubella
• Day 3 – FSH & LH
• Prolactin
• Testosterone, SHBG, Androstenedione, TFT’s – only if clinically indicated e.g. suspect PCOS
• Smear test (completed within the previous two years)
• Semen Analysis at MFC (completed within the previous year)