Fertility Road Issue 12

THE WORLD'S NO.1 FERTILITY MAGAZINE 

ISSUE 12 | OCTOBER - NOVEMBER 2012 £3.95/€4.95 

YOUR PATH TO PARENTHOOD 

T R AV E L 

WIN 

AN IVF 

HOLIDAY! 

F O R 

T R E AT M E N T 

N• LIFE-CHANGING COMPETITIO 

• 

WWW.FERTILITYROAD.COM 

THE 

NAKED 

TRUTH 

The main causes 

of male infertility 

and what you can 

do to prevent it 

LETTER 

FROM THE 

HEART 

Sarah Johnson on 

her quest to end 

the IVF postcode 

lottery ruling 

ISSUE 12 WWW.FERTILITYROAD.COM 

Marcia Cross 

From primetime 

to family time 

PCOS EXPLAINED COOKING TO CONCEIVE TIME AWAY FOR TWO

Leaving our mark 

for over 20 years. 

We love memories, but more importantly we love 

beginnings. We’ve been pioneering infertility treatment, 

sperm and egg donation, and gestational surrogacy with 

same sex couples for over 20 years. Under the leadership 

of Dr. Gad Lavy, New England Fertility can help you begin 

your family – and start your own memories. 

Dr. Gad Levy will be speaking and providing free consultations at the “Men Having Babies” Conference, April 29 – May 1 

in Catalonia, Spain. This conference is part of the LGBT Families 2nd Annual European Conference. Book your free 

consultation now by emailing mwelch@nefertility.com. Skype consultations are also available. 

Visit nefertility.com or call +001.203.325.3200 

Conveniently located just north of New York City in Stamford, Connecticut.

F E R T I L I T Y R O A D O C T O B E R - N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 2 

ISSUE 12 CONTENTS 

12 

WIN 

AN IVF 

HOLIDAY! 

22 

13 

26 

36 

13 A GIFT FROM GREECE 

Thessaloniki based fertility clinic, Embryolab is offering one lucky 

couple the chance to win a free round of IVF and a Grecian holiday. 

Be sure to enter for your chance to win. 

16 THE NAKED TRUTH 

Nearly 40% of couple’s fertility issues are due to men's 

infertility. We find out the most common causes and what 

lifestyle changes and treatments can help prevent it. 

22 HOLLYWOOD TO HOUSEWIFE 

TV star, Marcia Cross left it late to become a parent, she shares 

how giving birth and becoming a Mum at 44 has changed her. 

26 UTOPIA IN THE UK 

Chase those winter blues away by treating yourself to a spa day 

with a friend or loved one, guaranteed to revive and refresh. 

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE: 

POLYCYSTIC OVARY SYNDROME EXPLAINED 

PCOS affects 1 in 4 women, we explore the causes, symptoms 

and possible treatment of this devastating disorder. 

NUTRITION 

Fertility expert, Emma Cannon, cooks up some hearty winter 

recipes that not only taste delicious but also boost your fertility. 

SUCCESS RATES 

Paul Serhal from CRGH explains about success rates and what 

you should be looking for when you choose a fertility clinic. 

LETTER FROM THE HEART: 

Sarah Johnson tells us her quest to change the IVF postcode lottery 

ruling, allowing couples fair and consistent access to IVF on the NHS. 

OCTOBER - NOVEMBER 2012 | WWW.FERTILITYROAD.COM | 

03

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F E R T I L I T Y R O A D 

C O N T R I B U T O R S 

ISSUE 12 OCT - NOV 2012 

CHECK OUT OUR NEW YOU TUBE 

CHANNEL FOR GREAT FERTILITY 

RELATED VIDEOS & INTERVIEWS 

YOUTUBE.COM/FERTILITYROAD » 

FERTILITY ROAD 

ISSUE 12 OCTOBER - NOVEMBER 2012 




WIN 

AN IVF 

HOLIDAY! 

T R AV E L 

F O R 


LETTER 

FROM THE 

HEART 





GROUP MANAGING DIRECTOR: 

PJ Mack 

CONTRIBUTING PUBLISHER: 

Jeff Crockett 

CONTRIBUTING MANAGING EDITOR: 

Giorgio Severi 

IT DIRECTOR: 

Tone Jarvis 

ART EDITOR: 

Damian Browning 

CONTRIBUTORS: 

Emma Cannon, Louisa Ghevaert, 

Sarah Johnson, Dr. Mark Leondires, 

Dr. Paul Serhal 

WEBSITE & ONLINE PRESENCE: 

Giraffic Media Ltd 

www.girafficmedia.co.uk 

EUROPEAN SALES: 

Susan Calatayud, Pier Minole 

ACCOUNTS MANAGER: 

Jennifer Gardner 

LEGAL ADVISOR: 

Buckworth Solicitors 

Berkeley Square House, Berkeley 

Square, Mayfair, London, UK W1J 6BD 

PRINTED IN THE UK BY: 

The Magazine Printing Company using 

only paper from FSC/PEFC suppliers 

www.magprint.co.uk 

ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES: 

sales@fertilityroad.com 


THE 

NAKED 

TRUTH 





Marcia Cross 



PCOS EXPLAINED COOKING TO CONCEIVE TIME AWAY FOR TWO 

CONTACT DETAILS: 

Mack Media Group 

Suite 27, Westcroft Court, New Road, 

Broxbourne, Herts EN10 7LT 

Tel: 0843 2895337 

Email: info@fertilityroad.com 

FOLLOW US ON TWITTER 

TWITTER.COM/FERTILITYROAD 



Welcome to our latest Issue of Fertility Road. 

In this issue we learn about Marcia Cross’ path to 

parenthood, her race against her biological clock, 

and becoming a mum to twins at 44. We also discuss 

what the main reasons for male infertility are, find 

out about PCOS and its symptoms and we explain success rates 

and what you need to know when looking for a fertility clinic. 

Taking time out is vital not only for your fertility but also for your 

mind and it’s amazing what can be achieved with a positive attitude, 

so we have found some great spas around the country guaranteed to 

relax you and help get you back on track. We will also be launching 

our very own app for the iPhone and Android in the next few weeks so 

you can read your favourite fertility magazine where ever you may be. 

We also catch up with Sarah Johnson and her quest to end the 

postcode lottery ruling and how her petition is gathering pace! 

And finally, be sure to enter Embryolab's fantastic competition for 

a chance to fly to Thessaloniki, Greece for free IVF treatment combined 

with a relaxing holiday with hotel and flights included.....Good luck!! 

So until next time – stay warm, relax and enjoy our magazine… Giorgio 

OUR WRITERS... 

OUR FERTILITY EXPERT... 

Emma Cannon practises complementary therapies and acupuncture 

and specialises in fertility and women’s health; gynaecology, IVF support, 

conception, pregnancy and postnatal care. She is Director of Emma 

Cannon Ltd and author of The Baby-Making Bible and You and Your Bump. 

www.emmacannon.co.uk 

OUR MALE FERTILITY EXPERT... 

Dr. Mark P. Leondires, medical director and lead physician with Reproductive 

Medicine Associates of Connecticut (RMA of CT) in the U.S., is board 

certified in both Obstetrics and Gynaecology and Reproductive Endocrinology 

and Infertility. He was recently selected for Best Doctors in America, in 

2011-2012 representing the top five percent of physicians across in the U.S. 

Louisa Ghevaert is internationally recognised as a leading expert in UK fertility 

and parenting law. Her expertise covers international and UK surrogacy, donor 

conception, co-parenting, embryo storage and testing, children and parenting. 

She is a partner with Porter Dodson, www.porterdodsonfertility.com. 

Mr. Paul Serhal is medical director and founder of The Centre for Reproductive 

and Genetic Health (CRGH). He has vast experience of male and female infertility 

and has published numerous articles in leading fertility journals and has 

appeared on TV and radio debating different issues relating to women's health. 

Sarah Johnson lives in Portsmouth with her husband Levi. She is currently 

campaigning to stop the IVF postcode lottery ruling and is lobbying to change the 

NHS criteria to be a valid candidate for IVF in the UK. She has also featured on TV 

and in press sharing her story and the issues she faces on her journey to conceive. 


05


T H E L A T E S T F R O M T H E W O R L D O F F E R T I L I T Y 

NEWS 

GO 

NUTS! 

A FISTFUL OF WALNUTS A DAY MAY HELP 

keep the fertility doctor away, new research 

suggests. Eating 75g of the nuts daily was found 

to improve the health of sperm in men aged 

21 to 35. Scientists in the US split 117 healthy 

volunteers into two groups, one of which had 

walnuts added to their diet. The nuts are rich in a 

natural plant source of omega-3, a type of fatty 

acid thought to be critical to sperm development. 

Researchers tested various indicators of the 

quality of participants’ sperm. At the end of three 

months, men consuming walnuts had significantly 

increased levels of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty 

acids in their blood. Their sperm also showed 

improvements in concentration, vitality, motility 

and morphology (shape). Walnut-eaters also had 

fewer chromosomal abnormalities in their sperm. 

FERTILITY 

ROAD APP 

COMING 

SOON! 

FERTILITY ROAD IS NOW AVAILABLE IN BOTH 

digital and print format. In the digital age of 

apps we decided it’s time to have everyone’s 

favourite path to parenthood, the Fertility Road 

magazine as a downloadable app. Available in 

the next few weeks on both iTunes and Android, 

you can now read Fertility Road from your 

favourite location on your chosen mobile device. 

TV’S LONGEST RUNNING SOAP, ITV’S CORONATION STREET 

IS CURRENTLY SCREENING A SURROGACY STORY, THE SOAP 

IS WELL KNOWN FOR FEATURING CURRENT AND SOMEWHAT 

CONTENTIOUS ISSUES WITHIN IT’S STORYLINES AND PLOTS 

A REPORTED 8.9 MILLION TV VIEWERS ARE 

tuning in to follow the latest storyline along 

the famous cobbled street. It is the first time 

that the soap has included a plotline about 

surrogacy, and it has been receiving a very 

positive reaction from its fans with many on 

line forums and blogs being created to openly 

discussing individual and personal views on 

the subject. As with all soaps, the question is, 

will it all go according to plan? Tune in to find 

out what happens next! 

06 | WWW.FERTILITYROAD.COM | OCTOBER - NOVEMBER 2012

need an Afro Caribbean egg there is no time limit on how long you can wait. 

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The team at Barbados Fertility Centre are dedicated to helping you realise your dream 

of having a family, please visit our stand at The Fertility Show, to be held at Olympia, 

London on Nov 3 & 4, here you will meet Dionne Holmes our IVF Donor/Recipient 

Coordinator and can find out more about our donor egg programme that has no 

waiting list even for Afro Caribbean eggs. 


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Organization Accredited 

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T H E L A T E S T F R O M T H E W O R L D O F F E R T I L I T Y 

NEWS 

FOOTSTEPS 

FOR 

FERTILITY 

SIX HUNDRED CHILDLESS COUPLES TOOK PART IN A FIVE 

kilometer run in Draper, Utah recently with the hope of 

winning 1st prize - one round of IVF. The Footsteps for Fertility 

run places all runners into a raffle, and one couple wins free IVF 

treatment courtesy of the Utah Fertility Center. 

The raffle winners were Brian and Ramsi Stoker who had 

90 friends running for them. The couple had already tried 

artificial insemination and a round of IVF in the four years 

since they began trying to become pregnant. 

Mrs Stoker said: “We had five good years just as a couple and 

loved every second of it. And then we realized we were ready 

for the next step and we really thought that the second that we 

stopped preventing it, it would happen”. It didn’t, so now they’re 

hoping more IVF will give them the baby they so desperately want. 

THE REPORTED COST OF A GENDER SELECTION PROCEDURE IN THE U.S. 

Gender selection is now a multimillion 

business in the US with an 

estimated 6,000 procedures being 

performed annually and couples 

paying upto $40,000 to ensure 

they have their baby of choice. 

BOOK REVIEW 

GOTCHA DAY 

A Carried in My 

Heart Adoption 

Story for Children 

ADOPTIVE PARENT AND AUTHOR REBECCA TABASSO’S NEW 

release is a loving, and fun way to talk to children about 

adoption. Her story is a heartfelt portrait of the special place 

an adoptive child’s ‘Gotcha Day’ holds in their family’s history. 

Full of laughter and love, Gotcha Day is perfect for families 

to share with their child their own adoption story and joy 

their child brings to the family. 

Also included is a removable Gotcha Day certificate that 

families can personalise their child’s name and the date they 

became a family - “Let it hereby be known that your Gotcha 

Day is a very important date in our family history and how 

happy we are to have Gotcha!” 

Available from Amazon.co.uk 

TRYING TO CONCEIVE? THE FERTILITY SHOW AT LONDON OLYMPIA 

aims to take you through all the key issues of a healthy pregnancy 

and birth. With exhibitions, expert seminars and information on both 

conventional treatments, medicines and complementary alternatives. 

Regardless of whether you’ve just begun to think about having a baby 

or have been trying to get pregnant for a while, the Fertility Show, 3-4 

November, provides plenty of pregnancy advice and fertility related 

information. With experts including; Zita West giving top tips on how to 

get pregnant, Marilyn Glenville on fertility boosting nutrition and Charles 

Kingsland on preparing for pregnancy, there will be plenty to think about 

with priceless resources, tips and expert opinions to take home with you. 

www.fertilityshow.co.uk 


Follow us @FertilityRoad 

to help you on your path to 

parenthood and for all the 

latest fertility related news, 

views and reviews :) #hope 

#inspiration #ttc #IVF 

FOLLOW US AT: 

TWITTER.COM/FERTILITYROAD 

THE 

DA VINCI 

CODE OF 

FERTILITY 

THE ‘GOLDEN RATIO’ OF 1.618, WHICH WAS POPULARISED BY 

Dan Brown’s novel, The Da Vince Code, could reveal which women 

have the most fertile wombs, according to a gynaecologist. 

Dr Jasper Verguts, from the University Hospital Leuven in 

Belgium, theorised that women would be most fertile if they had 

a uterus of perfect proportions – a womb where the ratio of 

length to width is 1.618. He found that the ratio is around 2 at the 

time of birth but decreases as women age to 1.46. Verguts also 

found the age when women are most fertile between the ages of 

16 to 20 - the ratio was 1. 

1.618, the golden ratio of the Fibonacci sequence, named after 

Italian mathematician Leonardo Fibonacci, is said to be the key 

to everything - from encrypting computer data, to the numbers 

of spirals on a sunflower head and there has been speculation 

that Da Vinci used the sequence as the proportions of the Mona 

Lisa’s face. Many claim that the most aesthetically pleasing 

people have faces that fit these ratios. 

Get expert 

fertility 

information 

and support 

online with 

Boots WebMD 

Let us support 

you in taking the 

first step. 

Visit Visit www.bootswebmd.com 

and and search search ‘fertility’. ‘fertility’. 

feel good 

feel good


C E L E B R I T Y N E W S 

A-LIST 

FAMILY 

MATTERS 

We take a look at fertility 

issues in celeb-land, with 

all the gossip and rumours 

on who’s undergoing ivf, 

who’s adopting or who’s 

thinking about surrogacy! 

etail guru, Mary Portas, is celebrating the birth 

of her first child with partner Melanie Rickey. 

The couple recently conceived their baby through 

IVF. The happy news comes just weeks after 

Melanie fainted in the street and broke her ankle 

which resulted in her needing an operation. 

Melanie, an editor at fashion magazine Grazia, is said to have 

wanted children for a long time. Fashion entrepreneur Ms Portas, 51, 

has two teenage children by her former husband Graham Portas. She 

met Melanie nine years ago at a Royal College of Art dinner and 

entered into a civil partnership in May 2010. They live in Maida Vale, 

London, with Portas’s children. 

Across the pond, adoption in Hollywood has been a hot topic 

this summer as Tori Spelling reveals she and her husband Dean 

McDermott would consider adopting a child in the future, despite 

already having four kids. The Beverly Hills, 90210 actress gave birth 

to her fourth child Finn Davey on August 30 and while she insists 

she is done with being pregnant, she hasn’t ruled out expanding her 

family in other ways. 

Tori, 39, said, “I never say never but I think this is our last. I want to 

focus on the kids I have now and I don’t want to spread myself too 

thin. I’ve had C-sections with each baby. It puts the body through 

trauma. I don’t think I could do it again.” 

“I’m all for adoption. It’s such an amazing blessing and we 

would totally do it. My friends adopted my goddaughter Simone 

who’s two and having seen the process through their eyes, I’m 

definitely a believer.” 

“ 

I’m all for adoption. It’s such 

an amazing blessing and we would 

totally do it. My friends adopted my 

goddaughter Simone who’s two and 

having seen the process through 

their eyes, I’m definitely a believer. ” 

Mum of four, Tori Spelling on not ruling out adding to her family in the future. 

Tori would also prefer to adopt from inside the US, unlike 

numerous other celebrities who give homes to kids from overseas, 

as she would like to help kids from her own country. 

The reality TV star told In Touch Weekly magazine, “I think we’d 

probably try to adopt from the US. I know a lot of people go outside 

the country and that’s great but there are plenty of kids here that 

could use our help and support.” 

In August Star magazine reported that 50-year-old Demi Moore 

was also having baby fever and was planning to adopt a baby of her 

own. A friend close to Demi tells Star that life has been ‘awful’ for 

the actress; “At this point she wants to run away from all her pain, 

her refuge has always been her home in Idaho and she’s been 

contemplating moving full time. She would love to build a new life 

without all of this drama.” 


The Zita West 

Clinic 

““I don’t want to have one( a child). 

The The Zita I don’t West want Clinic is to is the have the six. I don’t want 

UK’s largest to have integrated any, they’re precious to look 

clinic for at for and reproductive I love them; we have nieces 

health, 

and combining 

I love them very much. But I 

don’t want ‘em. 

the the latest medical ” 

Ellen DeGeneres quashes rumours of her searching sperm donor. 

thinking with expert 

The desire for a 

complementary treatments. 

“She really wanted to adopt a child with Ashton, but he wasn’t 

up for it. Now that she’s single and can make her own choices, 

child she’s seriously is looking one into it.” of life’s 

In other news Ellen DeGeneres insists all rumours are not 

Each year, our our specialist team of of doctors, 

midwives, nutritional therapists and and 

complementary practitioners help help hundreds 

of of couples driving to to get get pregnant, both both forces 

naturally and and 

through assisted means - - most of of whom have tried 

previously CRGH has for for been months assisting and and years couples without with success. specialist 

We We advice also also help that help and 

she many treatment 

and Portia more, are who who for 

in search are are over of going twenty 

a sperm through years, 

donor. IVF, IVF, to to 

improve obtaining their outstanding chances of of success results, through which expert place preparation us 

and and as leaders support. explaining amongst her stance fertility on the subject.” clinics in the UK. 

true and she hasn’t changed her mind about not wanting children. 

The TV host married Portia de Rossi in summer 2008, and 

there has been much speculation surrounding whether the pair 

will start a family or not. Ellen appeared on The Tonight Show 

with Jay Leno, where she was asked about the ongoing rumours 

“I’m here for your sperm,” she said to the host, before 

“That is not true. I don’t know why people want this. I’ve said it 

Fertility, At CRGH 

so conception, we provide 

many times: We pregnancy environment 

are not going and and to birth have are a are where 

child. whole-body you 

And they say that 

events will feel and we’re and comfortable, an an looking integrated the relaxed right approach donor. and to to Although, supported preparing you for would for by them our be can, a can, good 

we we experienced believe, donor, pay pay so team I’ll dividends, keep of it staff, in mind, helping and just to we to in improve tailor case. I every mean, not not just it detail just would your your of have 

fertility, your treatment but but your your pregnancy to suit your and and individual the the long long circumstances, 

term health and and 

potential of your baby too. 

beautiful blue eyes, and a good sense of humour, and a good shot 

potential giving at you a of NBC your the show. very baby We best too. would chance do well.” of success. 

Ellen loves being around kids. Although the star would never 

want a family of her own. 

How WHY USE we CRGH? can help: 

“I don’t want to have one. I don’t want to have six. I don’t want 

How we can help: 

• Just • Just Pre-implantation decided to to try? try? Genetic Diagnosis 

• Boost State your your of the fertility Art and Laboratory and improve your Techniques 

your pregnancy 

• Phenomenal Success Rates 

• • Want to to know how how fertile you you are? are? 

• Individual Treatment Regimen 

Take Take our our tailor-made fertility MOT MOT 

• Donor Egg and Sperm Banks 

• • Finding 7-day-a-week it it difficult Service to to get get pregnant? 

• Identify Centrally and and help Located help resolve your your problem 

• • Planning on on having IVF? IVF? 

Help Help increase your your chances of of success 

to have any,” she said. “They’re precious to look at and I love them; 

we have nieces and I love them very much. But I don’t want ‘em.” 

And finally congratulations to Bill and Giuliana Rancic who 

welcomed their first child, son Edward Duke Rancic, on August 29, 

the couple announced via Twitter, “The ‘Duke’ has landed! Edward 

Duke Rancic was welcomed into the world last night at 7lbs 4oz,” 

Bill wrote. “G & I feel blessed beyond words… We did it!” 

It’s been a long road to parenthood for the couple! After years 

of trying for a baby on their own, one miscarriage and a diagnosis 

of breast cancer, the reality TV stars have welcomed their first 

child with the help of a gestational carrier. 

• • If If IVF IVF fails fails 

Help Help with with next next steps. How How to to move on on 

The New Wing 

• • Eastman Suffering Dental from Hospital 

recurrent miscarriage? 

Help 256 Help Gray’s to to find Inn find Road a way a way through 

London WC1X LD 

Services we we offer: 

t. 020 7837 2905 

t. 020 7837 3675 

f. 020 7278 5152 

e. info@crgh.co.uk 

• • Gynaecology • • Nutrition 

• • Counselling 

• • Midwifery • • Acupuncture • • Massage 

• • Embryology • • Hypnotherapy • • Fitness 

See us at THE FERTILITY SHOW / STAND 13 

Nov 4th & 5th 2011, Olympia, London 

Zita Zita West Clinics Ltd Ltd 

37 37 Manchester Street, London W1U W1U 7LJ 7LJ 

Tel Tel 0207 0207 224 224 0017 0017 Fax Fax 0207 0207 224 224 0062 

www.zitawest.com 

www.crgh.co.uk 

TO TO MAKE AN AN APPOINTMENT: 020 7224 0017 

1 in 10 

Get expert 

women in the UK live 

fertility with PCOS, it’s the 

information 

leading cause of 

infertility in women 

and support 

online with 

Boots WebMD 

Let us support 

you in taking the 

first step. 

Do you have any of the following? 

irregular periods 

Visit Visit www.bootswebmd.com 

and and search search weight ‘fertility’. ‘fertility’. problems 

acne and oily skin 

mood swings 

hair loss 

excess hair 

If you do, then you could have Polycystic Ovary 

Syndrome (PCOS), and should make an 

appointment to talk to your GP 

Verity is the UK charity for women with PCOS, 

for more information and support: 

www.verity-pcos.org.uk 

blog.verity-pcos. 

org.uk 

twitter.com/ 

veritypcos 

facebook.com/ 

veritypcos 

youtube.com/ 

veritypcos 

Charity No.1097599 | Company No. 04404798 

verity-pcos.org. 

uk/forum 

feel good 

feel good


T R A V E L F O R T R E A T M E N T 

'Travelling for Treatment' is now a 

viable option for couples with fertility 

issues, here Dr. Nikos Christoforidis, 

Lead Gynaecologist at Embryolab, 

explains why couples are travelling 

abroad for procedures and why he is 

offering free IVF to one lucky couple. 

a gift 

from 

Greece 

ver the last few years 'Medical tourism' has 

become a global industry, fuelled by the popularity 

of the internet, ease of travel, shorter waiting 

times for appointments and greater international 

sharing of medical advancements and innovations. 

Many couples are now opting to travel abroad for fertility treatments 

that may not be available to them in their own countries, either 

financially or legally. 

As Lead Gynaecologist at Embryolab I have met many couples 

from all over the world, whose lives have been changed by having 

fertility treatment and effectively giving them the gift of life, and 

have seen the joy that it brings. As well as the joy I have also seen 

the pain, as there are so many couples in need of help to conceive, 

and every one of them has a unique and compelling story. I was 

reading an article recently in Fertility Road where a couple in the 

UK could not afford IVF and were not eligible for NHS treatment 

and were left with very few options, this really pulled on my 

heart-strings. 

If you do not meet the criteria of your local Primary Care Trust, 

then the only option is to go private, and these out of pocket 

expenses for fertility treatments make it very difficult, if not 

impossible, for couples to achieve their dreams of expanding their 

family in their home country. 

WIN 

AN IVF 

HOLIDAY! 

» 


13


T R A V E L F O R T R E A T M E N T 

ENTER AT 

FERTILITY 

ROAD.COM 

/WINIVF 

» 

Because of these compelling stories, here at Embryolab we 

have decided to make the dream of having a family come true for 

one lucky couple, by offering a full round of IVF, combined with 

a relaxing Grecian holiday in our life changing competition. 

About us: 

Here at Embryolab, we pride ourselves in looking after couples 

who are experiencing fertility disorders, providing them with an 

accurate diagnosis and then offering immediate and tailor made 

treatment to meet each patient’s needs in order to help the couple 

conceive. We strongly believe that customized care is crucial in 

order to serve the individual needs of our patients. 

Since the conditions under which oocytes and embryos 

develop is imperative to a successful treatment outcome our lab 

has developed a highly successful vitrification protocol which 

guarantees high survival rates for both oocytes and embryos. 

We ensure our laboratory is an industry leader, by a continuous 

updating of assisted reproduction systems coupled with the 

support provided by our state-of-the-art equipment thus achieving 

our high success rates we have enjoyed so far. 

We also have a fantastic team here, from our experts in the 

fertility field, right down to our receptionists. We all spend time 

getting to know each and every couple, understanding their 

needs, answering their questions, and supporting them every 

step of the way on their path to parenthood. 

Our clinic is situated in Thessaloniki, the second-largest city 

in Greece. Also known as Salonika or Saloniki, which has given 

Greece some of its greatest musicians, artists, poets and thinkers. 

It also has some of the most beautiful beaches and some of the 

finest hotels and best restaurants in northern Greece. 

Built near the sea, at the back of the Thermaïkos Gulf, it is a 

modern metropolis bearing the marks of its stormy past and 

cosmopolitan character, giving it a special beauty and charm. 

Gastronomy, world-class heritage sites and fantastic shopping 

are some of the things that visitors can indulge in. For more 

information on Embryolab please visit www.embryolab.co.uk 

How to enter: 

For your chance at winning a full IVF treatment here at 

Embryolab all you have to do is visit www.fertilityroad.com/ 

winIVF. Where you simply have to complete a form for the 

chance of winning this amazing opportunity. 

The winning couple will receive: 

• Flights from their home town to Thessaloniki. 

• Accommodation at a luxury hotel in Thessaloniki. 

• All transfers from airport to hotel and Embryolab clinic. 

• Full round of IVF treatment. 

• Dinner at a top restaurant on the first night. 

• Complimentary acupuncture treatment. 

Competition closes on 13/02/13 and the winning couples' names 

will be randomly selected on the 14/02/13 and announced on 

the Fertility Road website, Facebook and Twitter accounts. 

• Preliminary tests of suitability may be required. 

Please see www.fertilityroad.com/winIVF for full terms and conditions. 

COMPETITION TERMS & CONDITIONS: 1) Information on how to enter forms part of the terms of entry. Entry into this competition is deemed acceptance of these terms and conditions set out by 

Embryolab. 2) By entering this competition, entrants agree to be bound by these Terms & Conditions. (and by any other requirements set out in the promotional material) which may be amended 

or varied at any time by Embryolab. 3) Entry can be made online via www.fertilityroad.com/winIVF 4) Embryolab is the promoter of this competition. For more information on this clinic please visit 

www.embryolab.gr 5) Entrants must enter their own name. Embryolab reserves the right request the winner to provide proof of identity in order to claim the treatment. In the event that a winner 

cannot provide suitable proof, the winner will forfeit the prize in whole and no substitute will be offered. 6) The competition closes on 13/02/13 at midnight. 7) Entry is open to any couple older than 

18 and fall within the categories stated in the criteria for entry. 8) The winning couple will receive a full IVF treatment. 9) The winning couple will receive accommodation during this time. 10) The 

winning couple will receive return fl ights from Thessaloniki. 11) The winning couple will receive transfers from airport to Hotel and vice versa. 12) All food and incidentals will be covered by the winning 

couple. 13) To submit a complete and valid online entry, entrants will be required to provide various personal details including full name, email address, residential address, contact phone number/s, 

age, and date of birth for the purpose of verifying eligibility. Any contact details entered incorrectly shall invalidate the entry. Online entry is free, however internet connection rates apply. 14) The 

winning couple will be drawn on 14/02/13 and will be contacted via telephone on 14/02/13. 15) The winning couple will be announced publicly through Fertility Road’s Twitter and Facebook networks 

and on www.fertilityroad.com, in any publicity relating to the competition and will feature in future issues of Fertility Road. magazine 16) The prize is as stated and is non-transferable or exchangeable. 

No cash alternatives will be offered. 17) Privacy statement: We will only use and store your personal information for the purpose disclosed to you in this competition. Full T&C's available at fertilityroad.com 


C 

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M A L E I N F E R T I L I T Y 

Many couples visit fertility clinics to discuss why the 

female partner isn’t getting pregnant. However, infertility 

affects couples – not just women. These same couples 

are surprised to learn that approximately 40 percent of 

the time, the male partner is either the sole cause or a 

contributing cause of their sub-fertility. So gents its not 

a time to be embarrassed, but time to man-up and face 

the issues and possible treatment together as a couple. 

The 

Naked 

Truth 

esearch shoes that male infertility cannot be overlooked. If a couple WORDS BY 

DR. MARK LEONDIRES 

has been trying unsuccessfully for one year to get pregnant (or six 

months if the couple is over 35 years old), both the man and woman 

should see a fertility specialist for diagnostic testing. For men, this 

includes sperm analysis and a complete medical history. Male infertility can be a 

result of producing too few sperm, a high percentage of abnormally shaped sperm (sperm morphology), 

sperm that do not move properly (motility), or a blockage in his reproductive tract that prohibits release. 

Men’s reproductive health can also be impacted by medical conditions and treatments such as 

diabetes or chemotherapy and radiation treatment for cancers. Many cancer treatments can lead to 

DNA breakage and affect the ability to produce functional sperm that can fertilise an egg. All cancer 

patients should be encouraged to freeze sperm prior to any treatment. This forethought can help 

ensure that cancer survivors are able to have the family they desire after treatment. 

Men have a biological clock just like women, it just ticks more quietly. Most male infertility issues 

relate back to sperm production within the testes. Sperm production is driven by testicular health 

and testosterone levels, which decline as men age. Sperm quality begins to deteriorate by the age of 

40 and significantly after 60 years of age. It is well documented that men as young as 40 are less 

fertile than their 20 year counterparts. Men who want children need to protect their fertility by 

staying in good overall health and avoid damage to their testes by making wise choices. The article 

covers some of the health and lifestyle choices that will help protect testicular health and fertility. 

» 


© Richard Wilkinson/www.richard-wilkinson.com 


17



NUTRITION & WEIGHT 

Population studies have demonstrated that obese men 

and their wives have more fertility problems, are at a higher risk for 

miscarriage, and their children will have an increased risk for 

obesity. These findings are persistent even when couples pursue 

high tech fertility treatments such as in-vitro fertilisation (IVF). For 

men, obesity is related to lower sperm counts, more sperm motility 

problems, lower testosterone levels and therefore, decreased or 

diminished fertility. Obesity is defined as having a body mass index 

(BMI) of greater than 30. A body mass index is calculated by using a 

combination of height and weight. There are many BMI calculators 

on the Internet for patients to calculate their individual index. 

Nutrition is more than avoiding excessive calories. It’s about 

nutrients. Men trying to conceive need vitamins, minerals, protein 

and sustenance to improve their fertility. Eat a balanced diet that 

includes vegetables, fruit, whole grains, lean protein and heart 

healthy fats. For patients who find nutrition and diet challenging, I 

recommend seeing a nutritionist. Working with a nutritionist is 

like having a coach who can help identify foods that are hindering 

reproductive health, as well as foods that will help. 

In addition, I recommend that men consider taking a daily 

multivitamin to make sure they're getting adequate supplies of 

both fat-soluble (Vitamins A, D, E, and K) and water-soluble 

vitamins (Vitamin C). There have been many studies that have 

linked vitamins and supplements to sperm quality, motility and 

morphology. Unless you eat a perfect diet your sperm could 

probably benefit from a good quality vitamin. 

QUIT SMOKING 

There is no getting around this one. Quit smoking! 

Whether it’s tobacco, marijuana or another substance, smoking is 

detrimental to everyone’s general health, and especially men’s 

sperm count and sperm motility. Smoking decreases fertility and 

is related to higher miscarriage rates in couples. It has a negative 

effect in both women AND men. Smoking introduces toxins into 

the body that can damage DNA in the developing sperm and can 

decrease a man’s fertility. 

There are an overwhelming number of studies that show 

repercussions to the female even when only the male partner 

smokes: pregnancy rates are lower, miscarriage rates are higher, 

chances of success with fertility therapy – even in vitro fertilisation 

(IVF) success rates – are decreased. Therefore choosing to quit 

smoking for a period of three to four months prior to conception 

should be every male smoker’s minimal commitment to helping his 

partner conceive and have a healthy pregnancy. If both male and 

female partners are smokers, then they should try to quit together. 

EXERCISE 

Exercise is important for maintaining a healthy weight, 

circulation, body function, increasing testosterone levels and it 

can boost sex drive. Testosterone, which influences sperm 

production, is at much higher levels in the testes than anywhere 

else the body. Exercise can be a great way for couples to improve 

their health together. So, take a walk, go for a hike, get out there 

and get active. 

“ 

Whether it’s tobacco, marijuana 

or another substance, smoking is 

detrimental to everyone’s general 

health, and especially men’s sperm 

count and sperm motility. ” 

In general, all forms of exercise are safe for men. One caveat: 

men who are active cyclists need to be careful because the 

pressure of the bicycle seat on their prostate can lead to a 

decrease in sperm count and function. 

ALCOHOL 

Alcohol – whether it is beer, wine or liquor – can be 

considered a reproductive toxin. There is a recent report that 

followed thousands of patients trying to conceive. The findings 

from that study were that men should not consume more than six 

alcoholic beverages per week in the months prior to conception. It 

is important to remember that the sperm that are produced the 

day of a fertility procedure (IVF, intrauterine insemination) have 

been developing within the man's body for approximately three 

months. Therefore this has to be a consistent behaviour change. As 

we discussed above, testosterone is essential for healthy sperm 

production and function. Alcohol use lowers testosterone levels 

and therefore male fertility as well. 

TOXINS 

At home and in the workplace, we are exposed to 

toxins, often without even realising it, that have a negative effect 

on sperm. Sometimes a man's hobbies can lead to regular 

exposure to fumes that can be harmful to sperm production and 

sperm function. Men who do a lot of work around the yard, on 

their vehicles, or in the work place who are exposed to the same 

fumes, pesticides, herbicides and fertilisers should make sure they 

follow the proper safety procedures and wear the proper 

protective equipment to protect themselves and their sperm 

count. Exposure to petroleum products can happen by repetitive 

exposures to gas or oil fumes. Heavy metals are often found in 

higher concentrations in predator fish (tuna, swordfish, marlin), as 

well as some fish from polluted bodies of water. 


Porter Dodson’s Fertility and Parenting Law team provides 

bespoke cutting edge legal help and solutions to people 

across the UK and abroad. We can help create, support 

and protect your much wanted family no matter where in 

the world you are based. 

We offer the latest 

testing for male 

infertility 

The Team is headed by Louisa Ghevaert. 

Internationally recognised as a leading 

expert in UK fertility, surrogacy, parenting 

and children law, Louisa has pioneered the 

practice of fertility and parenting law in the 

UK. Her expertise covers international and UK 

surrogacy, donor conception, co-parenting, 

embryo storage, children and parenting, and 

gay and lesbian parenting. 

Contact Louisa Ghevaert 

Telephone: +44 (0)207 222 1244 

Email: louisa.ghevaert@porterdodson.co.uk 

@LouisaGhevaert 

www.porterdodsonfertility.com 

The human desire to have children is at 

the heart of our being. If couples find it 

hard to get pregnant, it can be one of the 

most distressing times of their lives. 

www.lewisfertilitytesting.com 

info@lewisfertilitytesting.com Tel: +44 (0)28 9063 3987 

 

 

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» 


Beyond theses lifestyle changes there are treatments for male 

factor infertility, some of which require seeing a urologist who 

specialises in male factor infertility. Following are assisted 

reproductive technology (ART) and surgical treatment options. 

» Intrauterine insemination (IUI) 

Also called artificial insemination, this is the starting point of 

treatment for most couples with male factor fertility problems 

such as low sperm count and poor motility. Most sperm never 

make it to the end of the fallopian tube, partly because the female 

reproductive tract actively breaks down sperm. In fact most 

sperm are broken down either by the fluid in the vagina or the 

mucus and antibodies in the cervix. During an IUI a high 

concentration of motile sperm is released at the top of the uterus 

thus improving the chance that sperm actually find the egg. 

» In-vitro fertilisation (IVF) 

During IVF, the motile sperm are separated out after the male 

partner has produced a semen specimen. Then inside the laboratory 

we place approximately 10,000 of his sperm around the eggs 

in the petri dish in order to promote a fertilisation rate of approximately 

70%. Therefore, even if a man’s sperm count is low using 

IVF we need less sperm to complete fertilisation. This laboratory 

technique can dramatically improve the chance for fertilisation as 

we have manually put sperm and egg next to each other. 

» Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) 

If there are concerns about the quality of the sperm and the 

ability of the sperm to complete fertilisation within the IVF 

laboratory, we sometimes use a procedure called intracytoplasmic 

sperm injection (ICSI). This technique involves the embryologist 

individually choosing moving, healthy-appearing sperm and 

injecting one sperm into one egg. 

This procedure is considered for men who have very low sperm 

counts, whose sperm have abnormalities, who have failed to 

fertilise eggs in the past or who have congenital or acquired 

absence or obstructions of the ejaculatory ducts. This is also how 

men who have had a vasectomy or unsuccessful vasectomy 

reversal and men with spinal cord injuries can achieve pregnancies. 

This procedure has been a life changing fertility advancement 

which has allowed previously sterile men to achieve a conception 

and hopefully have a child with their partner. 

» Varicocele Repair 

Varicoceles, a common problem related to male infertility, are 

enlarged veins which have prolapsed into the scrotum. The testes 

and epididymis which holds mature sperm become overheated 

because blood does not drain properly. Even one degree rise in 

temperature in the scrotum can have an adverse effect on 

testosterone levels, sperm production and sperm morphology. In 

addition, varicocele repair can improve testosterone production 

and lead to decreased sperm DNA fragmentation, or the breaking 

up of DNA strands into pieces. It is the DNA which is the key to 

fertilisation and a healthy embryo being formed. 

There are several approaches to varicocele repair; microsurgery 

has the highest success rates and least likely chance of 

complications. Patients see positive effects on their sperm 

three to six months after surgery. 

“ 

Varicoceles, a common problem 

related to male infertility, are 

enlarged veins which have prolapsed 

into the scrotum. The testes and 

epididymis which holds mature 

sperm become overheated because 

blood does not drain properly. ” 

» Comprehensive Chromosomal Selection (CCS) 

Most people are not aware that chromosomal abnormalities are 

the cause of greater than 60% of miscarriages, as well as the most 

likely reason that patients do not get pregnant from an IVF cycle. 

The purpose of CCS is to analyse, select and transfer only 

embryos that do not have abnormalities in their number of 

chromosomes. These abnormalities may come from the male or 

female partner. Screening embryos in advance can help achieve 

higher implantation rates and fewer pregnancy losses. 

The utilisation of CCS is particularly important for patients 

over 40 years old, as well as those patients with a history of 

multiple miscarriages, termed Recurrent Pregnancy Loss (RPL). 

This technology provides clinicians with the ability to pre-screen 

embryos for chromosomal errors such as Down’s syndrome and 

other similar aneuploidy conditions. 

CCS, which is a technically-advanced form of pre-implantation 

genetic diagnosis (PGD), is conducted in conjunction with IVF. 

During CCS, we obtain 5-10 cells on a day 5 or 6 embryo called a 

blastocyst. Biopsying the embryo at this advanced cell stage 

dramatically increases the accuracy of this testing. The new 

analytical technology involves quantitative real-time polymerase 

chain reaction (qPCR) and allows for the evaluation of all 23 pairs 

of human chromosomes from several embryonic cells (versus 11 

chromosomes in more traditional techniques). Based on current 

data the error rate is less than one percent. 

The application of qPCR won the general prize paper at the 

2010 American Society for Reproductive Medicine (www.asrm.org) 

meeting as the first prospective, randomised trial to demonstrate 

a significant improvement in ongoing pregnancy rates using 

aneuploidy screening. This is the highest research honour in 

reproductive medicine in the United States; RMA of CT is one of handful 

of fertility practices in the United States that performs CCS. 

We know more about infertility than any other generation, and 

part of this knowledge is first recognising the prevalence of male 

infertility, as well as being able to improve our fertility through 

non-invasive methods as well as medically advanced treatment. 

This should empower patients and help them fulfil their dreams 

of having a family. 

Dr. Leondires is medical director and lead physician with the 

Reproductive Medicine Associates of Connecticut (RMA of CT) in 

the U.S. and is board certified in both Obstetrics and Gynecology 

and Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility. He was recently 

selected for Best Doctors in America 2011-2012, . www.rmact.com 



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FERTILITY ROAD 

ISSUE 12 OCTOBER - NOVEMBER 2012 


T R AV E L 

F O R 







Marcia Cross 



PCOS EXPLAINED COOKING TO CONCEIVE TIME AWAY FOR TWO 


• 6, Turton Street, Off Commercial Ave, Sabo-Yaba, 

Lagos. Tel: 01-7913537, 01-7744893 

• 5 Erhuvwu Club Street, Off Summit Road, by Havilla 

Hotels Asaba, Delta State. Missouri. Tel: For 056-871371 more information about his procedures 

please contact the center on (314) 576-1400 or visit 

www.infertile.com 

web: www.nordicalagos.org 

Ovarian transplantation in 

humans is a robust procedure, 

even after cryopreservation, 

vitrifi cation might be more 

effective than slow freezing 

If the tissue used had thickened by contracting after thawing, 

it was pared down once again to less than 1 milimeter 

under an operating microscope with microsurgical scissors 

before the transplantation takes place. 

The chief significance of this long-term study of ovarian 

tissue transplantation is not so much for the twins who are 

discordant for POF, which will always be rare, but for young 

cancer patients needing fertility preservation. Ovarian tissue 

banking for a future transplantation provides another fertility 

option for these patients, and sometimes the only one available. 

At least 1 in 250 women of reproductive age is a cancer 

survivor, and nowadays 90% of them become long-term 

survivors depending on the type of disease. 

However, their treatments are likely to reduce their fertility 

or in some cases, render them completely sterile. Most such 

women with cancer are anxious www.irm.com.ua 

to preserve their potential 

ExpectMiraclesSurrogacy.com for having children genetically related to them rather than 

resorting to eggs from an unrelated donor or adoptions, 

which are not always available or desirable. 

While pediatric patients may not understand the full 

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implications of cancer treatment for future parenthood, fertility 

preservation is equally important for them, as they do not 

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have the option of using IVF technology for oocyte or embryo 

banking. Another indication for fertility preservation is ageing, 

iPad, iPhone, and Android 

particularly for women with a family history of POF, but also 

Fi 

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about the right remedies and the possibilities at your disposal. age-related decline, as evidenced by the high pregnancy rates 

At Nordica Fertility Centre, Lagos we see a child as the in women of advanced reproductive age who use oocytes 

greatest gift that life can bestow; it brings the most 

donated by younger women. 

exquisite joy that one will ever know. 

Whereas the twin series involved histo-compatible donor 

tissue instead of an autograft, and healthy individuals rather 

That’s why we help couples believe, conceive, and deliver than cancer patients, this is the largest series of ovarian 

this great gift. All you may ever say is ‘thank you’ as you transplants to date with the largest number of pregnancies 

break down in tears of pure joy at the sight of your baby and live births. It provides rare information for guiding fertility 

preservation practices and counseling patients about the 

We are Nordica Fertility Centre, Lagos. 

likelihood of success. All the surgical procedures and analyses 

of spare biopsy tissue were approved by the Ethics Review 

• Comprehensive Gynaecological Assessment • Endoscopic Surgery • In Committee Vitro Fertilization and the • Surgical Institutional Sperm Review Retrieval Board • Egg of St. Donation Luke’s 

• Artificial Insemination • Embryo Donation • Laser Assisted Hatching Hospital, • Sperm and Donation both donors • Intracytoplasmic and recipients Sperm gave their Injection written 

informed consents. 

Dr. Sherman Silber is based at The Infertility Center of St. Louis, 

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C E L E B R I T Y S P O T L I G H T 

For some, falling pregnant and having a baby is easy. For others, 

it can be a long and arduous journey, fraught with disappointment 

and difficulty. Having a baby in your forties adds a further layer of 

complexity to the equation as TV star Marcia Cross found out. 

Hollywood 

Housewife 

est known for her hit TV 

roles as perfectionist Bree 

Van De Kamp in Desperate 

Housewives and vengeful 

Dr Kimberly Shaw in 

Melrose Place, Marcia Cross’ portrayal of 

these determined and powerful women 

suggests that she is used to getting what 

she wants. In real life, Cross is no less 

determined and from a young age she was 

always clear that she wanted a baby after 

she had established a successful career. 

Cross’ difficult path to motherhood is, 

in many respects, not dissimilar to that of 

many other women juggling life, work and 

wondering how a family fits into it all as 

well. Cross has had her fair share of heartache 

too, falling in love with an older man, 

losing her partner through illness, having 

to start from scratch in her thirties to find 

Mr Right with whom to have a family and 

then battling her way through fertility 

treatment. Many women can identify with 

Cross’ life experience and this, combined 

with her determination to speak out about 

pregnancy and motherhood in your forties 

makes her a role model for the increasing 

numbers of women wanting to become 

mothers later in life. 

Early life 

Cross was born in 1962 in Marlborough, Massachusetts, 

USA. She grew up with her mother, a teacher, and her 

father, a personnel manager, and her two sisters. Aged 

17, she won a scholarship to the prestigious Juilliard 

WORDS BY 

LOUISA GHEVAERT 

performing arts school in New York City where she graduated in 1984. 

Cross began her career in television in 1984, working her way 

through various soap operas and TV films, before landing the role 

of Dr Kimberly Shaw in US primetime soap opera Melrose Place 

in 1992. From there she made appearances in popular TV show 

including Ally McBeal, Spin City and CSI. She also featured in films 

including Bad Influence (1990) and Always Say Goodbye (1996). 

In 2003 she returned to education and earned a Master’s Degree 

in psychology from Antioch University Los Angeles, something 

which has remained a life-long interest for her. 

Career success 

In 2004, Cross’ career blossomed when she was cast in ABC’s 

Desperate Housewives. A year later her portrayal of character Bree 

Van de Kamp earned her a nomination for a Primetime Emmy 

Award for Outstanding Lead Actress, Comedy Series and a Golden 

Globe nomination for Best Actress, Television Series Musical or 

Comedy 2005 – 2007. Cross continued her lead role in Desperate 

Housewives until the eighth and final season this year. 

The show enjoyed huge success and captured the public’s imagination 

as it portrayed the lives, loves and losses of a close-knit 

group of American women and their families. Women all over the 

world identified with Cross’ portrayal of Bree Van de Kamp, aspiring to 

her emulate her grace, determination and strength of character. » 



23


C E L E B R I T Y S P O T L I G H T 

Personal life 

Despite her considerable career success her personal life has 

been a very different story. Cross fell in love at 23 with a man 

twenty five years her senior, actor Richard Jordan. She became 

his companion until he died from a brain tumour in 1993. 

Aged 31, Cross faced life as a single woman and had to start 

over. In June 2006, she married stockbroker Tom Mahoney whom 

she had dated for a year and a half. She was so keen to start a 

family aged 44 that she skipped her honeymoon to start IVF 

treatment straight after her wedding. 

Fertility treatment and motherhood at 40 

Cross was lucky enough to conceive following her first round of 

IVF treatment. She was then placed on precautionary bedrest in 

January 2007. However, this did not stop her from continuing 

her Desperate Housewives filming schedule, arranging instead 

for the cast and crew to shoot some scenes from her bedroom. 

On 20 February 2007, Cross gave birth to twin girls, Eden 

and Savannah, just before her 45th birthday. Due to complications 

including preeclampsia, the twins were delivered 4 weeks early 

by an emergency c-section. Luckily, the twins were healthy and 

they were allowed home with Cross and her husband 4 days later. 

Cross was the first to admit that it was not easy becoming a 

mother at 44 and that it had been a difficult path to follow. During 

a magazine interview she said “We decided to skip our honeymoon 

and try IVF after the wedding. I had already been through 

infertility treatments. It’s very, very difficult to get pregnant in 

your 40s. It’s costly and tough on your body and your relationship”. 

She went on to say “I wish that I’d had my girls in my 30’s. Then I 

could be around longer for them. But they’re an incentive for me 

to stay healthy, take care of myself, and live as long as possible”. 

However, Cross was determined to speak even more openly 

about the reality of trying for a baby in your forties and her own 

personal experience of this. During another magazine interview 

she said “I don’t like the average woman being misled into thinking 

that fertility is something that goes on forever. When a woman 

gets older, they get a donor egg, which doesn’t make the baby any 

less beautiful or perfect. One’s own eggs only last so long, and 

sometimes, at 43 or 44 you can have your own baby, but 

statistically it’s very difficult. You don’t want to wait too long”. 

Unlike other celebrity women in Hollywood, Cross was also 

honest enough to admit that she conceived with donor eggs. 

In an industry where youth is prized and celebrities strive to 

perpetuate this in many different guises, it was a brave admission 

to make. Cross’ decision to share her story so openly was a 

deliberate one because she did not want to give other women in 

their forties false hope that they would be able to conceive easily 

or that they would be lucky enough to have a biological child 

of their own. She did not want women to be lulled into a false 

sense of security or undergo expensive fertility treatment with 


“ 

I don’t like the average woman 

being misled into thinking that 

fertility is something that goes on 

forever. When a woman gets older, 

they get a donor egg, which doesn’t 

make the baby any less beautiful or 

perfect. One’s own eggs only last so 

long, and sometimes, at 43 or 44 

you can have your own baby, but 

statistically it’s very difficult. You 

don’t want to wait too long. ” 

© 2010 American Broadcasting Companies, Inc. / Florian Schneider 

unrealistic expectations of a baby at the end of it all. Statistics 

show that there are virtually no pregnancies from IVF in women 

over 45 who use their own eggs. The pregnancy rates in women 

over 42 using their own eggs is in very low single digits and this 

is not always understood or fully appreciated. Cross said in 

another interview “Your forties is not the time to be thinking 

about getting pregnant”. 

Legal issues 

Having to resort to fertility treatment in your forties to have a 

baby can raise other legal and practical issues too. If you conceive, 

as Cross did with donor eggs, you will need to manage sensitive 

issues surrounding the identity of your donor and the fact that 

your donor conceived child may well have numerous genetic halfsiblings 

living in other families. You will need to think about how 

best to discuss this with your child and wider family, the timings 

of this and the longer term implications if your child wishes to 

make contact with his or her donor or half-siblings later in life. 

Putting in place a specialist Will is also important for any 

parent. This can help to ensure that your child is properly cared 

for in the event of your death by the right people and that your 

financial resources are protected for your child’s benefit. 

Unlike Cross, if you are unable to carry a pregnancy, you may 

want to consider surrogacy as a means of having a baby that is 

genetically related to you or your partner. You may also wish to 

combine surrogacy with the use of donor eggs or sperm. UK law 

has not kept pace with the increasing demand for surrogacy. 

Other countries take varying legal approaches to surrogacy 

and there is currently no legal harmonisation around the world. 

This can create complex legal issues if you cross international 

borders for fertility treatment and surrogacy, which can leave 

surrogate born babies stranded abroad without a passport and 

intended parents lacking the legal status they need to legally 

parent their child when they get home. 

Parenthood at 40+ 

There is no doubt that parenthood in your forties is tough. As 

Cross is so keen to point out, a woman’s fertility does not last 

forever and if you leave it too long you may find you’ve run out 

of time. In an age where women can look younger for longer and 

enjoy greater career and financial success than ever before, it’s 

easy to lose sight of the medical reality that you can’t cheat your 

biological clock. 

Fertility treatment, including IVF, is not an easy option. It’s 

expensive, time consuming, stressful and there are no 

guarantees it will work. It can be punishing both emotionally and 

physically and it can place great strain on your relationship. In 

these tough economic times, it can also create huge financial 

debts that can take years to pay off. 

For those that strike gold and become forty-something 

parents, it’s not all plain sailing either. Parenting a young child is 

tiring and parents’ energy levels decline with age. Life as a 

family is a big quantum shift from life without children. It’s far 

less easy to be spontaneous, to enjoy a raging social life or 

holiday in glamorous far flung places with a young child. Yet, the 

rewards of parenthood are immense and women like Cross 

prove that with determination and dedication its can be possible 

to have a baby later in life and that motherhood is no less 

special even if that child is not biologically your own. 

Louisa Ghevaert is a leading expert in UK fertility, surrogacy, 

parenting and family law and a passionate supporter of parents, 

children and families. She is a partner with Porter Dodson 

Solicitors & Advisors, www.porterdodsonfertility.com. 


25


T I M E A W A Y F O R T W O 

There’s only one thing more wonderful than a little selfindulgence, 

and that’s a lot of self-indulgence! Why not treat 

yourselves and escape the stresses of your hectic lifestyle 

to be pampered at a relaxing spa day for two? We’ve found 

some great places guaranteed to unwind and relax you. 

» 


SPA AT BLYTHSWOOD 

SQUARE HOTEL 

»Glasgow, Scotland 

The 10,000 square feet Spa at Blythswood Square 

has been designed as a discreet haven for the 

hotel’s residents and day guests. Created to reflect 

the glamorous style of the hotel and the sociable 

personality of Glasgow’s community, the Spa houses 

a number of exclusive features including the UK’s 

first indigenous Scottish treatments designed by 

the Spa Director, Matt Laird. 

There are nine spacious and tranquil treatment 

rooms including a double suite where you can 

enjoy a full range of face, body and holistic 

treatments. The Spa's signature treatments are 

centred around a ‘Turus’ (Gaelic word for journey) 

which combine the natural benefits of Scotland’s 

purest ingredients including Scotch Thistle 

extract, seaweed and sea lavender, with healing 

therapies to provide a complete body and mind experience. 

The Spa at Blythswood Square also offers a Rasul, a traditional 

Arabian cleansing ritual which will leave you feeling pure and 

calm and your skin beautifully exfoliated. There is also a fantastic 

spa lounge where you can peruse the spa menu and choose from 

an array of beautifully presented, locally sourced, organic dishes 

created by the hotels award winning Executive Chef, Daniel Hall. 

This is the ideal venue for a weekend of relaxation and 

restoration, with a friend or loved one. 

LEARN MORE: www.townhousecompany.com/blythswoodsquare/spa 


27



ESPA LIFE AT CORINTHIA 

» Whitehall Place, London 

Underneath the new five-star Corinthia Hotel, on the edge of the 

River Thames, the ESPA Life Spa is simply breathtaking, offering 

fully integrated wellness approach alongside a luxury spa experience. 

Globally acclaimed, holistic health professionals, influential specialists 

and outstanding spa therapists are on hand to guide you 

through the wide choice of revolutionary lifestyle programmes, 

therapies, spa treatments and fitness. 

Spread over four floors and covering a staggering 3,300 square 

meters, the enormity and grandeur will take your breath away. The 

ethos of the spa is to integrate a holistic outlook with a luxury 

beauty experience. There are 17 treatment pods, a futuristic lounge, 

state-of-the-art gym, nail studio and a Daniel Galvin hair salon. 

Most dramatic of all is the 'thermal floor', where there is a black mosaic 

steam room, a steel swimming pool and an invigorating vitality pool. 

LEARN MORE: www.espalifeatcorinthia.com 

COWORTH PARK SPA 

»Ascot, Berkshire 

Coworth Park is a 70-room luxury country house hotel and spa set in 

240 acres of picturesque Berkshire parkland just 45 minutes from 

central London and 20 minutes from Heathrow airport. The Spa at 

Coworth Park is an architectural wonder, with its upper floor taking in 

breathtaking views of the surrounding English parkland. The Spa’s Living 

Roof is a garden of thyme, lavender, chamomile and other fragrant herbs 

that are all used for the Spa’s natural treatments, with a range of 100% 

organic treatments available along with other luxurious product brands. 

Built over two floors the upper floor has 8 treatment rooms 

(including 2 doubles), a manicure/pedicure salon and relaxation rooms. 

Whilst on the lower ground level there is a gym and indoor pool with 

glass walls leading on to a sun terrace. And if you feel peckish after a 

dip in the pool, you can enjoy a healthy bite in the Spa restaurant. 

LEARN MORE: www.coworthpark.com/spa 


29



THE HERB HOUSE SPA 

AT LIME WOOD HOTEL 

» New Forest, Hampshire 

LEARN MORE: www.limewoodhotel.co.uk 

RAGDALE HALL 

»Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire 

Located in the rolling Leicestershire countryside, Ragdale Hall combines 

state-of-the-art facilities with the charm of traditional Victorian architecture 

to create one of the most luxurious and relaxing health spas in the 

country. Whether you are looking for total relaxation, me-time and pampering 

or to kick-start a healthier lifestyle, Ragdale Hall is the perfect 

choice. Feel the fantastic therapists work their magic in one of the 60 

treatment rooms, or why not enjoy a unique dry flotation therapy. Their 

great selection of spa days and spa breaks include something for everyone, 

and offer a wide range of spa treatments to suit every need. 

The spa has won a steady stream of awards over the last ten years, 

many of which have been voted for by previous guests. So why not relax, 

unwind and rejuvenate at one of the ultimate health spa resorts in 

England, where you’ll be truly pampered from the moment you arrive. 

LEARN MORE: www.ragdalehall.co.uk 

30 | WWW.FERTILITYROAD.COM | OCTOBER - NOVEMBER 2012 

Opened in 2010, the Herb House Spa is the latest addition to the 

boutique country house hotel Lime Wood, in the heart of the 

New Forest. Spread over 22,000 square feet, the spa is dedicated to 

natural wellbeing and inspired by its forest surroundings, offering 

an assortment of holistic treatments from organic brands, and wet 

and thermal facilities with forest views. The Herbery, a beautiful 

rooftop garden, offers an ideal setting for pre or post-spa 

meditation and contemplation amid the tranquillity of the forest. 

The elegant, simple layout offers a haven with meditation 

spaces and secluded seating overlooking the forest. The 

experience is enhanced by the imaginative use of touch and smell 

to stimulate the senses, incorporating an extraordinary variety of 

herbs which can also be found in the healthy dishes and infusions 

available in ‘Raw & Cured’, the Herb House Spa’s own food bar.

Fertility Plus offers a bespoke complete fertility service in the heart 

of London. We are ethical and unique as we offer a fixed price 

package for a full range of infertility investigations and fertility 

treatments to couples, same sex-couples and single women. 

We offer the following 

fertility treatments: 

ovulation induction 

intra-uterine insemination (IUI) 

using partner’s sperm 

intra-uterine insemination (IUI) 

using sperm donor 

in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) 

intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) 

sperm freezing 

surgical sperm recovery 

egg freezing 

egg donation 

surrogacy 

embryo donation 

for detailed information please visit our website 

www.fertilityplus.org.uk


P C O S 

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome or PCOS is often called the ‘thief of womanhood’ 

because of the devastating effect the symptoms can have on a woman’s 

appearance and self-esteem. PCOS is one of the leading causes of fertility 

problems in women. Here, PCOS charity, Verity, explains all about this 

complex disorder that affects millions of women in the UK and worldwide. 

POLYCYSTIC OVARY SYNDROME 

PCOS 

explained 

What is Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)? 

Polycystic ovary syndrome is the name given to a condition in 

which women with polycystic ovaries also have one or more 

additional symptoms. The condition was first described in 1935 by 

Doctors Irving Stein and Michael Leventhal, and for many years it 

was known as the Stein-Leventhal syndrome. 

The term ‘polycystic ovaries’ describes ovaries that contain many 

small ‘cysts’ (about twice as many as in normal ovaries) and are 

usually no bigger than 8 millimetres each and are egg-containing 

follicles that have not developed properly. These are not cysts as 

you may imagine them to be; they don’t cause pain and aren’t 

harmful to you (so no surgical removal is needed) and they don’t 

lead to ovarian cancer. 

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) Facts: 

• it affects millions of women in the UK and worldwide 

• it runs in families 

• is one of the leading causes of fertility problems 

• has long term health risks 

• can affect quality of life and self esteem 

What causes PCOS? 

Each woman with PCOS is different, and you don’t have to have all 

or even most of the symptoms to have the condition. Some women 

may only have a couple of symptoms that are mild, while others 

may have a wider range of symptoms that affect her more severely. 

The cause of PCOS in not fully understood, though it is 

commonly accepted now that PCOS runs in families. It may be that 

there are several causes, which could explain why different women 

have such different symptoms. 

What they do know, is that the symptoms of PCOS are associated 

with abnormalities in the hormones that control your menstrual 

cycle. All women produce testosterone from their ovaries, however 

if you’re a woman with PCOS, you will typically produce higher than 

average amounts. It’s this excess testosterone that results in many 

of the symptoms, such as excess hair and hair loss. 

It is also thought that another hormone – insulin – may be 

involved in the development of PCOS. Many women with PCOS 

have been found to have a condition known as insulin resistance, 

and it seems that these high levels of insulin affect the ovaries, 

contributing to the abnormal hormone environment. 


33


PH CE OA SL T H & F E R T I L I T Y 

What are the symptoms and how is it diagnosed? 

Symptoms usually start in adolescence, although some women do not develop them 

until their early to mid twenties, and can include one of more of the following: 

WHAT 

IS 

VERITY? 

• irregular periods, or a complete lack of periods 

• irregular ovulation, or no ovulation at all 

• unwanted facial or body hair (hirsutism) 

• oily skin and/or acne 

• thinning hair or hair loss from the scalp (alopecia) 

• weight problems – being overweight, rapid weight gain, difficulty losing weight 

• depression and mood swings 

PCOS is usually diagnosed using a combination of an ultrasound scan to check for 

polycystic ovaries and blood tests to detect hormonal abnormalities. Your doctor 

should also check your blood pressure level and, if you are overweight, your blood 

sugar level. Once a diagnosis has been made, your doctor may refer you to a specialist 

– usually a gynaecologist (a doctor specialising in caring for a woman’s reproductive 

system) or an endocrinologist (a doctor specialising in the hormonal system). 

“ 

PCOS can be treated but treatments 

cannot currently offer a ‘cure’ for PCOS, 

so they tend to be aimed at managing the 

symptoms, if you are trying to get pregnant 

and are not ovulating, your doctor 

will refer you to a fertility specialist 

and there are a number of treatments 

available to help stimulate ovulation. ” 

What are the health risks and can it be treated? 

There are two clear risks to health that women with PCOS must be aware of. These 

are the risk of developing cancer of the womb lining (endometrial cancer), and the 

risk of developing diabetes in middle age (type 2 diabetes) which also puts you at an 

increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease. 

PCOS can be treated but medical treatments cannot currently offer a ‘cure’ for 

PCOS, so they tend to be aimed at managing the symptoms. For example, if you are 

trying to get pregnant and are not ovulating, your doctor will refer you to a fertility 

specialist and there are a number of treatments available to help stimulate ovulation. 

Or, if your primary concern is treating excess facial and body hair or acne, you 

might be referred to a dermatologist to look at the most suitable treatments for you. 

The good news is that many of the symptoms and the health risks can be 

managed successfully without medical intervention, through good nutrition, 

exercise and adopting a generally healthy lifestyle. 

VERITY 

THE PCOS SELF HELP GROUP 

Verity is the UK’s only charity for women 

with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and 

provides information and support for women 

with PCOS and their loved ones. It was 

founded in 1997 and is run entirely by a 

team of volunteers. In addition to publishing a 

range of information booklets covering all 

aspects of the condition, Verity runs twice 

yearly conferences where delegates get the 

chance to hear from some of the UK’s 

foremost PCOS experts. 

The charity also publishes In Touch, a biannual 

members newsletter full of the latest 

news, information and research on PCOS. 

Verity also provides advocacy, awareness 

and education to the healthcare profession 

through PCOS UK, Verity’s medical education 

arm, that was established in 2005. 

For more information on Verity and PCOS 

please visit our website, blogs and foums at 

www.verity-pcos.org.uk 

The PCOS Diet Plan 

- Hillary Wright, £13.99 

PCOS And Your Fertility 

- Colette Harris & Theresa Cheung 

£9.99 

The PCOS Workbook 

- Angela Grassi & Stephanie Mattei 

£18.99 


Questions About 

Your Fertility? 

We Have Answers. 

About Boston IVF 

A global leader in cutting-edge fertility treatments, Boston 

IVF compassionately assists individuals and couples achieve 

their dream of starting a family. With more than 50,000 

babies born since 1986 and each of our physicians on staff 

at Harvard Medical School, we are one of America’s most 

experienced centres. 

Cutting Edge Treatments 

Our new Frozen Donor Egg Program allows for patients 

to perform a cycle within 1-2 months! Donors have already 

been screened and completed their egg retrieval. Their eggs 

have been frozen and are ready to be selected, so you can 

cycle at a time that works best for you. 

Other Services Include: 

• IVF with Donor Egg 

• Gender Selection 

• Same Sex Couple Options • Fertility Preservation 

• Gestational Surrogacy • Array CGH (superior to PGD) 

Your Personal Doctor 

Dr. Moragianni is a Clinical Instructor at 

Harvard Medical School and Director of the 

International Patient Program at Boston IVF. 

She speaks Greek, French, Italian and Albanian. 

International Concierge Service 

Dr. Moragianni is personally available to all of her patients via 

email and cell phone, to help answer their questions and 

guide their treatment in a highly compassionate manner. 

In addition to her direct access, our international 

“concierge” package includes car transport, boutique 

hotel reservations, tourism packages and more. 

Receive answers quickly via Skype and 

telephone consultations with Dr. Moragianni! 

Our monthly online chats at bostonivf.com 

offer direct access to the country’s 

most experienced fertility experts! 

Since 1986, Rhonda’s been a great 

option for those with questions about 

their fertility. Contact her by calling 

001 781-434-6500 or by visiting 

www.bostonivf.com/AskRhonda 

888.300.BIVF (2483) www.bostonivf.com 

Over 25 Years and More than 50,000 Babies. 

@BostonIVF 

Boston IVF


N U T R I T I O N 

Winter is never the best time of year, especially in the UK. Temperatures 

drop and the days get shorter and our energy levels can be low. 

Luckily fertility expert Emma Cannon is on hand to serve up 

some hearty dishes perfect for the upcoming months that not only 

taste delicious but will also promote and protect your fertility. 

winter 

warmers 

PEAR CRISP WITH 

ALMONDS AND WALNUTS 

Of all the fruits, pears are the most phlegm clearing and of all the 

nuts almonds and walnuts do the same job. This makes a great 

breakfast as well as a hearty, but healthy, pud 

INGREDIENTS: 

• 4 pears, ripe but firm 

(cored, peeled and sliced) 

• 200g (1 cup) ground almonds 

• 90g ( ¾ cup) walnuts 

• 1 vanilla pod 

(halved and scraped) 

• 30ml (2 tbsp) lemon juice 

METHOD: 

1. Preheat the oven to 215 degrees C (425 F). 

• 30g (2 tbsp) butter, chilled 

(plus a little more for baking) 

• 2–4 tbsp of agave syrup, or 4-6 

tbsp brown sugar (depending 

on desired sweetness) 

• 100 ml (3/8 cup) water 

• ½ teaspoon salt 

2. In a large pan, over medium to high heat, melt 1 tbsp butter then 

add the pears and vanilla. 

3. Sauté for a minute or two and then add 1 to 2 tbsp of agave, or 

2 to 3 tbsp of sugar, followed by half the water. Sauté for a few 

minutes more; the pears should caramelize a bit, and then add 

the rest of the water. When the pears are lightly golden brown 

and the liquid is syrupy take them off the heat and set aside. 

4. Add the ground almonds to a mixing bowl with the salt. Stir. 

Cube 15g (1 tbsp) butter into tiny pieces and add them to the 

ground almonds. 

5. Add 1 or 2 tbsp of agave, or 2 to 3 tbsp of sugar, to the almond 

and butter, mix together with your hands, lightly crumbling it 

between your fingers until you have a nice crumbly mixture. 

6. Crush the walnuts gently with a rolling pin – it’s helpful to keep 

them in a bag as you do this – you don’t want powder but a nice 

variety of different sized pieces. Add the walnuts to the mixing 

bowl and stir in. 

7. Place the pear mixture in a 20cms square (8" x 8"), or a 23cms 

(9") round baking dish, or individual Pyrex bowls and add the 

almond and walnut mixture – covering evenly and pressing it 

around the edges with your fingers. Dot the top with little 

slivers of butter. 

8. Bake for 15–18 minutes, until the crisp top is brown and the 

pear mixture is bubbling. Remove from the oven and let sit for 20 

minutes before serving. 

Makes 6 servings 



37


N U T R I T I O N 

CHICKEN MINESTRONE 

WITH ADZUKI BEANS 

It can also be made without the chicken as a vegetarian option. The 

red adzuki beans will turn the outside of the chicken pieces a deep 

pinkish purple while cooking. 

INGREDIENTS: 

• 8 skinless and boneless 

chicken thighs 

• 200g (1 cup) adzuki beans, 

soaked overnight 

• 120g (1 cup) peas 

• 110g (1 cup) green beans 

• 3 small carrots, chopped 

• 70g (1 cup) rinsed, chopped kale 

• 2 onions, sliced 

• 8 large or 12 small garlic cloves, 

peeled and halved or crushed 

• 3 bay leaves 

• ½ tsp ground turmeric 

• ½ tsp ground allspice 

• ½ tsp cayenne pepper 

• 2 tsp dried rosemary 

• 2 tsp dried thyme 

• 1½ tsp dried basil 

• 1½ tsp dried oregano 

• 2 tsp sea salt (less if using 

stock or bouillon – add to taste) 

• 2½ pints (6 cups) chicken stock 

chicken or vegetable bouillon, 

• Olive oil 

METHOD: 

1. Drain and rinse the beans and set aside. Slice the chicken thighs 

into large chunks – 2 or 3 per thigh. 

2. Add 2 or 3 glugs of olive oil to a large stockpot on high heat. Add the 

chicken pieces so that each piece touches the bottom of the pot 

when the oil is hot – to sear the meat. After a minute or two turn 

each piece with tongs, letting them sear on the other side. Take off 

the heat and remove the chicken pieces from the pot and set aside. 

3. Returning the pot to the heat, add the garlic, onions and sauté for 

a couple of minutes then add the peas, green beans, carrots and 

kale, with some more olive oil if you like. Add all the herbs and 

spices while stirring to lightly sauté while still on a high heat. 

4. Add the stock and the adzuki beans and bring to a boil with the lid 

on. After 5 minutes, add the chicken pieces and any liquid with them. 

Bring to a boil again and simmer for 40 minutes with the lid on. 

5. Remove the lid and increase the heat to reduce the liquid – for 

another 10 to 20 minutes, depending on how thick you want the 

soup. Season to taste and serve with toasted bruschetta or crostini. 

Makes 4 large bowls or 8 small ones 

SLOW-ROASTED 

LEG OF LAMB 

This is one of my life saving recipes. I usually make it when I have 

people staying and want to join in the fun without being tied to the 

kitchen sink. Lamb and rosemary are the greatest of companions in 

the kitchen. Lamb is actually considered the most heating of meats 

which is why it is often served with mint or yoghurt which are 

cooling so off set some of the heating effects of lamb, which is 

desirable in countries such as Greece. For this recipe we are going 

all out on the warmth for winter. 

INGREDIENTS: 

• 1 leg of lamb 

• 4-6 large potatoes, scrubbed and thickly sliced 

• 1 onion, thinly sliced 

• 6-8 cloves of garlic, peeled and sliced 

• A few twigs of rosemary 

• About 600ml stock 

(use half stock and half dry white wine if you prefer) 

METHOD: 

1. Preheat the oven to 200c/180 fan. 

2. Make little incisions all over the lamb and push the slivers of 

garlic into each hole followed by a little twig of rosemary. Season 

the lamb with salt and pepper. 

3. Grease the casserole with a little butter and layer the potatoes and 

onions at the bottom of the dish, season with a little salt and pepper. 

Pour the stock over the top of the potatoes to just cove them and sit 

the lamb on top of the potatoes. Pop the casserole into the oven. 

4. Roast for about 15-20 mins on this high temperature (200c/180 

fan) until the casserole and the contents are piping hot. 

5. Turn the oven temperature down to 140c/120 fan and continue to 

roast for about 200c/180 hours until the lamb flakes away from the 

bone and the potatoes are crisp on the top and moist underneath. 


It’s not surprising, you may need a little help. 

They’re the biggest shoes you’ll 

ever have to fill. fill. 



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F U T U R E E V E N T S 

FUTURE EVENTS


C H O O S I N G A C L I N I C 

Spoilt for Choice 

With hundreds of fertility clinics in the UK and abroad, choosing a clinic 

that is right for you can be a daunting process. We chat with Paul Serhal 

from the Centre of Reproductive and Genetic Health who explains about 

success rates and what to consider when choosing a clinic to match your needs. 

In your opinion, what should couples and people 

considering IVF look for when choosing a clinic? 

There are many factors which must be considered; choosing the 

right fertility clinic will have an effect one way or another on the 

rest of your life. I think the most important factor for patients has to 

be how comfortable they feel with the clinic they choose. This isn’t 

just how comfortable the chairs are, but how the patients are 

welcomed by the staff, cared for by the nurses, the confidence to ask 

their consultant any question they have, not just in the consultation 

but calling in at any time during the week. 

I have always maintained that the best advice about which clinic 

to go to always comes from personal recommendations such 

as friends or family as they tell you exactly how it is, or from 

testimonials from actual couples that have benefitted from the 

clinics services. At the Centre for Reproductive and Genetic Health 

(CRGH) we are proud that from our latest patient satisfaction 

survey, we found that 84% of our patients would highly recommend 

us to friends or family, with over half of all our new patients each 

month being personal patient to patient referrals. 

Articles relating to choosing clinics often mention 

'success rates' can you explain what these are? 

For patients without recommendations from friends or family, 

success rates are another good way to benchmark clinics and help 

form a decision. As the availability and publication of success rates 

has increased we are certainly seeing more and more patients 

choosing clinics based on success rates alone. 

The CRGH has one of the best success rates in the UK, and 

unlike other clinics we never turn any patient away. The 2010 data 

on the HFEA website show our success rates for live births per 

treatment cycle started for the under 35 age group as 50.2%, 

against a London average of only 35.46% and a national average of 

32.5%. Our leading success rates are consistent across all HFEA 

data, with our IVF success rates for the 35-37 and >37 years age 

groups and IUI success rates equally outperforming our London 

neighbours and national colleagues. 

We achieve such rates by investing heavily in the quality of our staff 

and the latest equipment, facilities and technology available to make 

sure that we’re always able to go that extra mile for our patients. 


41


H E A L T H & F E R T I L I T Y 

With such a large difference in published results, 

why do success rates vary from clinic to clinic? 

Success rates are affected by so many factors it’s truly 

impossible to list them all here. In my opinion, however, there 

are four key factors which have a significant impact on the 

success rates of clinics. 

The first point is the academic interests and involvement of 

the clinic. This is particularly important as the field of fertility 

medicine is developing so quickly, just a few months out of the 

loop can have huge effects on keeping ahead of the curve. 

At the CRGH many of our staff are practising academics at 

University College London and we have regular meetings solely to 

review new research and discuss whether our practice would 

benefit from adopting any of these new methods. 

Secondly, it is the attention to detail in the clinic. Fertility 

treatments of any kind are extremely specialist and the chances 

of success of a treatment can be affected by the smallest change, 

such as the acidity of the medium embryos are stored in. 

“ 

Even though IVF funding has 

picked up, a lot of PCTs will only 

pay for one cycle of IVF per couple 

per lifetime. So patients have 

to make sure that their one and 

only funded opportunity has 

the highest chance of success. ” 

Thirdly is the responsiveness of the clinic to patients needs. 

Some clinics are only open on certain days, or only for certain 

times and as such critical tests are left for another day or two, 

or sometimes patients cycles are artificially changed so that the 

patient ‘needs’ a test it falls on the best day for the clinic. These 

things may not seem important but they can have a profound 

effect on the chance of success. I have always ensured that our 

clinic is open and available to patients whenever is clinically 

best for them, that’s why we’re only closed three days per year 

and our doctors have an emergency unit mobile should any of 

our patients need to contact us urgently. 

Finally, patients must be treated as individuals. Some clinics 

use very prescriptive practices, sending each patient for IVF even 

if a different treatment would be more suitable. We make sure 

that every woman’s treatment plan is personally tailored, this, 

along with our close monitoring of results helps us ensure that 

we are able to give each patient the very best chance of success. 

With so many success rates published how can I see 

what success rates are relevant to what I need? 

Generally if a clinic has success rates to be proud of then they 

will prominently display them on their website or publish them in 

their printed literature. Alternatively, the HFEA website gives a 

complete rundown of every clinics success rates. 

With rising rates for private fertility treatment, 

do many clinics treat NHS patients? 

All clinics that treat NHS patients will make it clear on their 

website. We treat couples and individuals referred to us from the 

NHS and run a satellite partnership with one of the world's largest 

NHS hospitals, University College London Hospitals, where the 

CRGH undertakes all the complex IVF work on their behalf. We 

also accept NHS patients directly and have begun to see a lot 

more NHS patients directly due to the NHS funding constraints. 

You mention funding contraints, and it is 

frequently reported in the news, can you explain? 

In simple terms, the NHS is running out of money so the 

Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) are commissioning fewer and fewer 

services. Even though IVF funding has picked up, a lot of PCTs will 

only pay for one cycle of IVF per couple per lifetime. So patients 

have to make sure that their one and only funded opportunity has 

the highest chance of success. Patients are looking to be treated 

where the success rates are the highest, and hence we have more 

patients coming through our doors. We’re delighted with this 

because our mission ever since starting was not about being a 

private business, but being able to help as many people as we can. 

If we have narrowed down our choice of clinic, 

what are the next step in the process? 

I would recommend visiting the clinics you are interested in 

before making a final decision. Most clinics hold open evenings. 

We do this once a month where prospective patients are given a 

tour of the unit, a small presentation on fertility treatments 

followed by an extensive question and answer session. 

Once a patient is happy with the feel of the clinic it’s very simple 

from there. They book an initial consultation with a consultant to 

discuss possible fertility treatments. It is difficult to summarise 

a treatments process, as there are so many different options 

available, but any clinic will be willing to tell you everything you 

need to know about your relevant fertility plan. However, if 

the patient isn’t completely clear of the next steps for them after 

the first consultation this is the time to raise questions. 

Paul Serhal is the Medical Director of the Centre for Reproductive 

and Genetic Health, one of the most successful private fertility 

clinics in the UK. For more information on the clinic and the service 

they offer please visit www.crgh.co.uk 



N A T U R A L O P T I O N S 

Trying to conceive? 

The path to parenthood for 

many can be easy, as nature 

takes it course, but unfortunately 

this is not the case for everyone 

and some need a helping hand. 

The question is, what options 

are out there to increase your 

chances of conceiving? 

MOST WOULD AGREE THAT THE BEST STARTING POINT TO 

conceive is to look for the closest to a natural conception, something 

that can be done in the privacy of your own home. There are many 

options for this depending on the stage of your journey. Below we 

describe what option is best for you at the correct time, the cost of 

use and the science behind the product. 

the right time on the days indicated, this can provide a good 

prediction of your likely date of ovulation (and so most fertile 

time). As with the simpler LH tests, ovulation is only predicted but 

not confirmed so your doctor will often recommend a blood test 

seven days after ovulation or the body basal temperature chart to 

confirm if ovulation took place. 

OPTION 1 

BOOTS PREGNANCY TEST KIT 

COST – £10 A MONTH 

LENGTH OF TIME TRYING TO CONCEIVE - 0 TO 3 MONTHS 

If you have been trying to get pregnant for only a few months, there is 

no need to worry, as conception does take time. A pregnancy test is 

all you need at this stage. It is most commonly used when a woman 

starts trying to conceive. These test kits measure the hormone 

‘human chorionic gonadotropin’ (hCG) which increases in your urine 

a few days after conception. An at-home pregnancy test measures 

this reliably if tested on the day that your period should be due. 

OPTION 2 

FIRST RESPONSE OVULATION TEST KIT - 5 TESTS 

COST – £25 A MONTH 

LENGTH OF TIME TRYING TO CONCEIVE - 3 TO 6 MONTHS 

If it doesn’t ‘just happen’ within the first three months, the next thing 

to try is usually an LH (luteinizing hormone) test. The First 

Response Ovulation LH tests measure the surge in the luteinizing 

hormone (LH) in your urine, which usually happens 1-3 days before 

ovulation. Testing regularly from about the 10th day after the start 

of your period helps you identify when you are most fertile. These 

kits are best for those who have just started trying to conceive or 

have been trying for less than six months, where an indication of 

when to try to conceive is all that is required. 

OPTION 3 

CLEARBLUE FERTILITY MONITOR 

COST – £15 A MONTH (PLUS INITIAL £100) 

LENGTH OF TIME TRYING TO CONCEIVE - 6 TO 12 MONTHS 

A ClearBlue Fertility Monitor is for those who have been trying to 

conceive naturally for over 6 months without success. This 

monitor helps test for the LH surge as well as oestrogen levels, 

prompting the user when to test and remembering their 

measurements from cycle to cycle. Provided that tests are taken at 

OPTION 4 

DUOFERTILITY 

COST – £49 A MONTH FOR 9 MONTHS (PLUS INITIAL £149) 

LENGTH OF TIME TRYING TO CONCEIVE - OVER ONE YEAR 

Once you pass the 12-month threshold of trying to conceive, your 

doctor will diagnose you with infertility. It is important to 

understand that this does not mean you are incapable of 

conceiving without intervention, and unless a specific cause of 

infertility is identified, there is every chance that you will get 

pregnant naturally. 

LH tests are not recommended for infertile women, due to the 

high incidence of hormonal irregularities that interfere with the LH 

hormone tests. You can still get a reliable indication of ovulation by 

measuring your body basal temperature.Unfortunately, this must be 

measured at the same time before you get up every single day for 

accurate results, and even then can be a challenge to interpret. Body 

basal temperature does not predict ovulation, so you cannot use 

this method to plan when to make love, but it does confirm that you 

did ovulate. 

Combining the best of the others options, but with a price to 

match, is the DuoFertility system. Designed specifically for infertile 

couples and with a comparable success rate to IVF, DuoFertility 

combines prediction and confirmation of ovulation with expert 

analysis of your data and, most importantly, someone you can talk 

to about every aspect of infertility, including the emotional side. The 

button- sized underarm sensor listens to your body, the fertility 

experts work out what it all means for you, and they can help you 

(and your doctor) understand exactly what is going on. 

£50 OFF! YOUR DUO FERTILITY MONITOR 

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Simply enter ‘FERTILITYROAD2012’ at the checkout 

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OCTOBER - NOVEMBER 2012 www.fertilityroad.com 

| WWW.FERTILITYROAD.COM | 

43 

43

NEW 

lower 

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15ml/ml* 

TM 

The Babystart ® FertilTests pack 

contains the 

TM 

FertilCheck Female Fertility Test 

and the 

TM 

FertilCount Male Fertility Test, 

this being the first home testing device that can be used by men 

to determine if their sperm concentration is below or above the 

NEW minimum fertility standard 

of 15 million per ml*. 

*(established by the 

World Health Organisation) 

The babystart ® product portfolio aims to prepare trying to 

conceive couples for a natural conception or guide them to 

early medical support if they show signs of reduced fertility.


A S K T H E E X P E R T 

Fertility expert and best-selling author, 

Emma Cannon takes time out to answer 

our readers fertility related concerns. 

Expert Witness 

with Emma Cannon 

My partner and I have been trying for a baby for over a 

year now with no success. I am really worried that a 

termination when I was younger might be the cause. Is there 

any truth in my fears or am worrying for nothing. 

If you have had normal periods since having the termination then it 

is highly unlikely that you have anything to worry about. In about 16% 

of terminations the patients can be left with Ashermans Syndrome 

which is scarring and adhesions of the uterus caused by damage to the 

area during the termination. However if this was the case you are 

likely to have had light or absent periods since. I see more women who 

are emotionally traumatised by earlier miscarriage than those who 

have been left with any physical damage. Many women are not 

emotionally upset by terminations but some women are for many 

years. Trying to become pregnant can, in some women, trigger feelings 

of guilt and if this is the case it can be useful to address these feeling. 

I have been advised that I should cut out all caffeine 

from my diet to improve my chances with IVF, Does 

this include decaf Coffee, and are there any other foods or 

drinks that I should avoid? 

Unfortunately studies do suggest that caffeine does delay conception 

in both men and women. Decaf can be used to help you reduce 

the amount of caffeinated coffee in your diet but then I suggest you 

eliminate that as well. decaf also contains unhelpful elements even 

with the caffeine removed. Instead drink herbal teas such as nettle and 

mint tea or almost any of the herbal teas that are available now. I 

would also reduce saturated fats, increase your vegetable intake and 

try to eat 4 smaller meals equally spaced throughout the day, rather 

than leaving long periods between meals. Sugar and alcohol are known 

to make your blood sugar levels unstable so cut these out of the diet as 

much as possible, that said a small glass of organic wine with food will 

not help and might increase libido. Eat as natural a diet as possible; 

butter instead of margarine and home cooked food instead of processed 

package food. Try to avoid buying foods wrapped in plastic as it's 

a good idea to reduce our exposure to soft plastics which can leak 

compounds that can upset our delicate hormone system. However, do 

try and relax and enjoy food, it is after all one of life's great pleasures. 

My Doctor has advised me that acupuncture might 

help with me being able to conceive naturally. Even 

though I am not great with needles, what kind of acupuncture 

should I be looking for and does it hurt? 

Acupuncture can indeed help you conceive and hats off to 

your doctor for being so progressive. Many of my patients are 

now referred to me by medical Doctors and it is great to see such 

a change in attitude. Look for practitioners who are registered 

with the British Acupuncture Council and who have a special 

interest in Fertility. Don't worry about the needles, they are hair 

thin and much less painful than you might imagine. Most people 

really grow to love the sensation that they get from having 

acupuncture as well aiding fertility it has an extremely relaxing 

effect and one that patients say helps them manage anxiety and 

stress which can play a huge part in those trying to conceive. 

USEFUL INFORMATION 

»WWW.ASHERMANS.ORG 

»WWW.ACUPUNCTURE.ORG.UK 

»WWW.EMMACANNON.CO.UK 


45


L E T T E R F R O M T H E H E A R T 

Friend of Fertility Road and campaigner, Sarah Johnson has a 

busy lifestyle at the moment, appearing on TV, being interviewed 

on the radio and posing for newspaper and magazine photo 

shoots, this all sounds glamorous but in reality it is just one 

woman's fight towards changing the IVF postcode lottery policy, 

here Sarah shares and updates here story of her tireless quest 

and her ultimate goal of achieving her dream of becoming a mum. 

Sarah’s 

Story 

very month I dread that time! 

letter from 

My body so desperately wants 

a child it tricks my mind with 

pregnancy symptoms even if 

I am a few days late with my 

period. Yet, for that very slight moment, I 

hold on to that small 

the heart 

glimmer of hope, but 

sadly month after month, year after year I 

am left devastated by that negative pink 

line on that pregnancy test. 

» How it all started 

My struggles started at the tender age of 

fifteen where days were taken off from 

school on a regular monthly basis due to 

the crippling pains of my menstrual cycle. 

I lived like this until I was eighteen when I 

was finally referred to the hospital and 

diagnosed with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome 

(PCOS) which affects the ovaries and causes 

irregular periods or no periods at all. 

A few more years passed of frequent 

visits to the GP and the hospital, various 

tests, ultra sound scans and so many blood 

tests I was diagnosed with another condition 

called Endometriosis which is the abnormal 

growth of cells (endometrial cells) similar to those that form the 

inside of the uterus, but in a location outside of the uterus. These 

are most commonly found on the ovaries, the Fallopian tubes, outer 

surfaces of the uterus or intestines, and on the surface lining of the 

pelvic cavity. 

I was admitted for laser laparoscopy surgery to laser the parts of 

the endometriosis which had attached itself to my bowel and other 

internal organs. A few more years down the line I was then told that 

I had fibroids which are non cancerous growths of the womb that 

can cause heavy periods, abdominal swelling and urinary problems. 

I found that all my problems went hand in hand with each other and 

were quite similar in that they all caused me unbearable pain. 

» Falling in love 

I finally met that special someone, Levi, in October 2005 and he 

eventually became my husband in December 2009. I explained from 

the start about the conditions I suffered and if he wanted us to start 

a family then we would need to do so sooner rather than later as I 

would need a helping hand. 

We attended our local fertility clinic at St Mary’s Hospital in 

Portsmouth and have went through all the various tests and 

procedures to basically be told by our consultant that for us to 

conceive we would need IVF which literally means “fertilisation in 

glass” giving the familiar term “test tube baby”. The consultant went 

on to explain during the IVF process, eggs are removed from the 

ovaries and fertilised with sperm in the laboratory. 


treatment. The NICE guideline states that 

up to three cycle of IVF should be available 

to woman aged between 23-39, those who 

have an identifiable cause of infertility and 

those who have had more than three years 

of fertility problems. 

In March 2011 I contacted my local 

newspaper, The Portsmouth News explaining 

that there are many people across the UK 

who do not meet the criteria for IVF or 

simply because of the area that they live 

in (known as the “Postcode Lottery”) and that 

I had fallen victim to this. I asked if they 

would be interested in featuring a story of 

this nature and that I had also started an 

online petition in the hope of eventually 

raising this issue in Parliament. 

“ 

Heartbroken and devastated and thinking 

at that very moment your whole life is over, 

how are you supposed to carry on? What are 

you supposed to do? Instead of taking this 

The fertilised egg is later placed back in 

to the woman’s womb. My husband and I 

hoped that we would have IVF and would 

finally become pregnant and we would be 

close to having the family that we dreamed 

of. How simple did he make that sound.....? 

But it wasn’t that simple as we were 

told the devastating news that because my 

husband had a child from a previous 

relationship we were not eligible for any 

free treatment on the NHS and our only 

recourse was to seek private treatment at a 

cost of £5000 a time. 

The consultant explained we could try 

and get a loan or if we owned our own house, 

remortgage to raise the money. This was 

certainly not an option and why would we 

want to get ourselves in debt when bringing 

a baby in to the world and supporting it 

through it's life is certainly not cheap. 

» Starting the fight: 

Heartbroken and devastated and thinking at 

that very moment your whole life is over, 

how are you supposed to carry on? What 

are you supposed to do? Instead of taking 

this lying down, I decided to fight. 

Firstly I looked to the National Institute 

for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) 

which published guidance on fertility 

» Media interest: 

They agreed to feature my story and as 

they delved more in to this issue with their 

research they found that the Portsmouth 

Primary Care Trust (PCT) had only funded 

four rounds of IVF treatment in the past 

four years and fourteen cases that were 

put forward for funding were all refused. 

Decision making regarding the amount 

of funding is made by the local PCT and 

the Department of Health has stated that 

all PCTs, in the long term, should provide 

the full three cycles of IVF as set out in the 

NICE guidelines but because these are not 

mandatory each PCT is left to make up its 

own rules regarding funding. The story ran 

in April 2011 and included a link so members 

of the public could sign the petition. 

I decided to contact my local councillor 

Mike Hancock CBE MP to see if there was 

any way in which he could help. He replied 

that he would take this up with the Health 

Minister. I received a reply from Anne Milton 

MP the Parliamentary Under Secretary of 

State for Public Health appreciating my 

concern that people feel about having 

equal access to infertility services and 

the impact that it can have on individuals 

and couples and that it would encourage 

all commissioners to take account of 

the NICE guidelines although they are 

recommendations and are not obligatory. 

» Contacting the Government: 

I was told to forward my own application 

for IVF treatment which I did but was 

informed they were unable to approve 

funding as it would only be funded if the 

couple do not have a living child from their 

relationship or any previous. 

lying down, I decided to fight. ” 47 

OCTOBER - NOVEMBER 2012 | WWW.FERTILITYROAD.COM |


L E T T E R F R O M T H E H E A R T 

» 

Letters bounced back and forth between 

my MP, GP, Health Minister, Chairman of 

the NHS Trust and myself but still they 

refused to fund me. I could however put 

forward my case as an exceptional circumstance 

but would still need to meet their 

strict criteria. 

» Lights, camera, action! 

A television programme, on BBC1, came to 

light during this time called Postcode Lottery 

which highlighted the issue of IVF on the 

NHS and how the postcode stipulated your 

eligibility in accessing treatment. I decided 

to contact them with details of my campaign 

and my fight through my infertility journey, 

we filmed back in October 2011 and it was 

aired nationally in March 2012. 

As always because this was about 

fertility, this still received criticism with 

people claiming that infertility is not a 

disease and that we would be taking money 

from cancer and heart disease patients. 

Infertility is a medical condition and through 

no fault of my own, have I asked to suffer? 

Then in December 2011 whilst reading 

a copy of my local newspaper a story had 

been printed about a couple winning a 

legal fight to receive funding for IVF 

treatment. Like my husband and I, they had 

been trying to conceive for a number of 

years but due to the fact that the husband 

had a child from a previous relationship 

they too were refused funding. The couple 

were then represented by a fertility lawyer 

who won their case for them. I felt really 

angry as to why were they allowed funding 

and I wasn’t. I decided to see the MP who 

helped put the couple in touch with the 

fertility lawyer. 

Unfortunately we could not receive help 

and so it was left to me to try and push my 

petition forward in the hope of collecting 

the 100,000 or more signatures so that the 

subject could once more be put before 

Parliament for discussion in the hope that 

they would change this harsh criteria and 

ridiculous postcode lottery. 

More recently I have just filmed for a 

documentary series for Chinese television 

entitled What we didn’t know about the 

West. This is the first time that the Chinese 

have commissioned a foreign broadcaster 

»SIGN SARAH’S PETITION!!! 

SEND A MESSAGE TO THOSE THAT CAN 

CHANGE THE CRITERIA OF WHO SHOULD 

AND SHOULD NOT RECEIVE TREATMENT. 

“ 

Going through this journey 

you realise that you are not 

alone and there are so many 

more people out there just 

like yourself who are affected. 

I have met some wonderful 

people along the way, some of 

who have turned in to friends. ” 

to make western style television for their own channels. It looked at 

our western healthcare and the availability of assisted reproductive 

treatments funded by our NHS. Presented by China expert Hugo de 

Burgh I was lucky enough to tell my infertility story, explain my 

views and what I hoped to achieve from my campaign. This is being 

broadcasted during one of their largest film festivals in October 2012 

with an audience likely to be over 600 million and I feel honoured 

that I could be a part of this. 

» And finally: 

Going through this journey you realise that you are not alone 

and there are so many people out there just like yourself who are 

affected. I have met some wonderful people along the way, some of 

who have turned into friends. Recently I have teamed up with a great 

lady called Julie who like me is going through her own fertility journey. 

She has helped me immensely in posting out paper petitions, 

contacting local businesses to see if we could promote the petition 

outside their premises, giving advice on any useful information that 

she comes across and just being there if I ever need to talk. We have 

contacted Professor Robert Winston, Denise Robertson the agony 

aunt from This Morning, who told us that she thinks this is all very 

wrong and suggested that we should contact Rights of Woman. 

There is only so much that I can do and I rely greatly on the help 

of others. At the end of the day I’m just a very small fish in a big bowl 

and I need your help. Everyone complains about not meeting the 

criteria or that they have been refused due to the area they live in but 

if we don’t all sing from the same hymn sheet and raise 100,000 

signatures then we will never be able to raise this issue in Parliament. 

Together we can do this. Please find details below to sign the petition. 

Sarah decided to start the petition to campaign for women 

like herself that have been refused and penalised with 1. 

Not meeting IVF criteria and 2. The Postcode Lottery. 

Sarah's goal is to persuade the Health Ministers, Government and 

Primary Care Trusts to change their views and the way they make 

their decisions on which postcode should be allowed treatment. The 

criteria needs to be changed and cases assessed individually so that 

everyone has the chance to become a parent and not just a statistic. 

To sign the petition please visit www.gopetition.com and 

search Change the Rules on IVF and Stop the Postcode Lottery 

or visit gopetition.com/petition/43913.html 


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N O T F O R G O T T E N 

Pop superstar Rihanna honours 

beloved grandmother’s memory 

with fertility goddess tattoo 

Bajan songstress Rihanna recently sent waves amongst the music industry 

and the world when she revealed her titillating new tattoo in a provocative 

photo to her Twitter followers. With her hands covering her breasts, she 

showed off the artwork of a winged Egyptian goddess, the 24-year-old singer’s 

new body art pays tribute to her late grandmother, Gran Gran Dolly, who died 

of cancer earlier this year. 

Isis, the goddess of motherhood and fertility, was worshipped as the perfect 

mother and wife of Egypt, as well as the patron of nature, magic and fertility, 

and was the friend of slaves, sinners, artisans, and the downtrodden. 

© Twitter/@Rihanna 

Neither this publication nor its contents constitute an explicit endorsement by Mack Media Group of the products or services mentioned in advertising or editorial content. The editorial content in this 

publication does not necessarily represent policies or recommendations of Mack Media Group. This publication is not intended to be exhaustive. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, 

Mack Media Group shall not have any liability for errors or omissions. Readers who have questions should consult their healthcare providers or other competent sources of information and guidance. 

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Proxeed ® Plus for normal sperm 

development, fertility and reproduction 

Proxeed Plus ® is a food supplement containing a specially formulated blend of L-carnitine, acetyl-L-carnitine, 

vitamins, minerals including zinc and selenium, all balanced to help support a normal sperm development and 

meet men’s nutritional requirements. 

sigma-tau HealthScience, the makers of Proxeed ® Plus, is the specialist division of a leading international 

pharmaceutical company. For over 50 years sigma-tau has dedicated it’s research to understanding the role 

of human metabolism in maintaining health. 

www.proxeedplus.co.uk 

PXD.UK.09.12.012

Fertility Road Issue 12

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