This page contains a Flash digital edition of a book.
HEALTH & WELLBEING


FERTILITY TREATMENT IN THE ARMED FORCES


In Vitro fertilisation (IVF) in itself can appear to be such a minefield, especially at a time when couples potentially feel vulnerable; unsure of what lies ahead. We approached Tim Child, Medical Director of Oxford Fertility Unit and


The Fertility Partnership to explain what to expect, along with Chief of Defence People’s Service Personnel Support team to better understand the support available to military couples undertaking any form of Assisted Conception Service1.


I 38


t is estimated that infertility affects one in seven couples in the UK and, according to the latest Tri-Service Families


Continuous Attitude Survey, there are just over 57,000 service personnel recorded as being married or in a civil partnership. That means that over 8,000 service couples may be finding it difficult to have a baby.


The main causes of infertility in the UK can be broken down into five main categories: 1. Unexplained infertility where there is no identifiable male or female cause


2. Ovulatory disorders where the woman has trouble releasing eggs


Envoy Summer 2015


3. Fallopian tube damage where eggs and sperm cannot successfully meet for fertilisation


4. Low sperm count 5. Pelvic disorders such as endometriosis or uterine fibroids


In about 40% of cases disorders are found in both the man and the woman so the treatment plan for every couple is different and tailored to their specific needs.


Tim Child, Medical Director at the Oxford Fertility Unit and the The Fertility Partnership told us that he understands the issues faced by military couples. “I grew up in an RAF family and well recall being posted every 6 months to 3 years and the instability to family life that this can cause. This can be a particular issue for couples who are having


www.raf-ff.org.uk


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56