Fertility Referrals

You have been referred to the fertility clinic at Leeds Centre for Reproductive Medicine (LCRM) at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust (LTHT). Please read the information on this page carefully.

The information on this page will help you make the most of your appointment, help prepare you for a pregnancy and understand what to expect when you meet the doctor. Please also complete the relevant questionnaire(s) (insert links) and ensure you have had the tests required completed. Both partners need to complete the questionnaires if you are a couple. Each partner should complete the form relating to the sex they were assigned at birth. If these have not been done, this may delay progression to treatment if this is needed.

Who needs to attend clinic?

Both partners are required to attend the appointment. Before your appointment, you will be asked to complete a consent form to confirm if you are happy for your records to be combined on the LTHT records system. Please ensure that this is returned. If your partner does not attend, this may delay progression to treatment as they will need to be seen at a later date.

How can I prepare for the appointment?

  • Make sure you have completed and submitted the questionnaire for BOTH partners and completed the consent at the end of the questionnaire which will allow us to link your records together on the electronic records system. If you wish to withdraw this consent at any time please contact the LCRM (insert link to contact section).
  • Ensure you have an up-to-date weight and height for both of you.
  • If you are on any medication, please make sure you know the names and doses.
  • If you are under a specialist, please have their name available.
  • It is helpful to write down any questions before your appointment and check we have answered these.
  • There is lots of really helpful information on this website about our service and how to increase your chances of conceiving that you will find useful to browse.

What will happen in the appointment?

For most patients, your first appointment will be a telephone consultation. Your questionnaire will be checked, and you may be asked fertility related questions and questions about your general health and lifestyle. The results of your tests will be reviewed. We will then be able to explain to you your options for treatment if this is needed. Sometimes more tests are needed, and you will need further appointments in clinic. Occasionally the tests find problems that need managing, such as with an operation, before you can move on with treatment.

What can I do to ensure I am in the best of health for a pregnancy?

  • Maintain a healthy bodyweight for your height
  • No smoking or vaping
  • Minimal or no alcohol consumption
  • Confirmed vaccination against rubella for women (antibody test or a record of two vaccines)
  • In date cervical smear test
  • Preconception vitamins for women (folic acid 400mcg for most women; Vitamin D spray given under the tongue is recommended at 3000IU / day, purchased yourself

What tests do I need to have done before my appointment?

Please ensure that you have had your fertility tests completed by your GP. It is important that the hormone blood tests for the women are done in the first 5 days of your cycle (at the beginning of your period) if you have a regular cycle or any time if you have irregular or no periods. For the men, when producing the sperm for analysis, please abstain from ejaculation for 3 to 5 days beforehand. Less or longer than that may affect the sperm analysis.

If you have not been referred by your GP, please arrange these tests with your GP before your appointment. If any of these tests are abnormal, you may need treatment which your GP can arrange, and should be started as soon as possible to avoid any delays. If these tests are incomplete, it may mean there is a delay before treatment can be offered.

Further information about the tests needed before your appointment is provided below.

Test for female partner

This should be done on days 1-5 of your menstrual cycle. If you have irregular cycles, it can be done at any time.

This is to check if your thyroid gland is working properly.

This is to check if you are anaemic or if you have any problems with bleeding.

This is to check if you need a high dose supplement.

This can be a urine or vaginal swab test and is a test for infection.

Please make sure that your smear tests are up to date.

If you have had 2 vaccines for rubella (usually given as the MMR) there is no need to check if you have antibodies. If you are unsure and your GP does not know, then please check to make sure you are immune.

This is to check your ovaries and womb.

If you have a BMI >25 Kg/m2, you are older than 40, you have irregular menstrual cycles or if someone in your family has diabetes, the following test is needed:

This is to check if you have diabetes.

If you have irregular periods, the following hormone tests are also needed:

These need to be done on days 1-5 of your menstrual cycle. If your periods are very infrequent, they can be done at any time in your cycle.

If you are of Mediterranean, Asian, African, South American ancestry the following test is needed:

This is a test to see if you have or a carrier of thalassaemia or sickle cell disease. If this test is positive, then your partner will also need to be tested.

Test for male partner

All men will need the following tests:

This is to check your sperm count – please see your GP to ask for your test results as you may need another sample or more tests. This will need repeating if the first test is abnormal.

Early morning urine test for infections.

If your sperm analysis shows you have no sperm at all or a very low sperm count (<5 million/ml) then the following hormone tests are needed:

These are hormone tests for causes of a low sperm count.

If I need fertility treatment, will I be funded by the NHS?

We may recommend fertility treatments such as medications to help you ovulate (produce an egg) or IVF or treatment using donated eggs or sperm. Not everyone is eligible for NHS funding for these treatments, and if this is the case you may be able to self-fund your treatment.

The basic criteria to qualify for NHS funding are:

  • Neither partner should have any living children (this includes adopted children but not fostered) from your current relationship or with previous partners.
  • Women up to your 40th birthday.
  • For women aged between 40 years and your 43rd birthday, you will qualify if your blood tests and scan results meet specific criteria.
  • Women should have a BMI greater than 19 Kg/m2 and less than 30Kg/m2. (You may self-fund treatment up to a BMI of 35 Kg/m2). Use the BMI calculator to work out your BMI.
  • Neither partner should be smoking (this includes vaping).
  • The NHS will not fund treatment if either partner has been voluntarily sterilised.
  • You need to have been in a stable relationship for 2 years and living together (we will need proof that you live at the same address).
  • We need to be sure that there are no concerns about the welfare of any future child in your home.
  • We will need to check your visa status.

Questions?

If you have any questions at any time, please contact the team – e-mail: leedsth-tr.leedsrmuenquiries@nhs.net or call 0113 206 3264.

Male patient referral form

Female patient referral form



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