Sims IVF is a leading fertility clinic in Ireland. Since 1997, we have cared for thousands of patients needing treatment to fulfil their dream of having a baby, as well as having helped pioneer IVF technology in Ireland. The team at Sims IVF have significant experience in all aspects of fertility and is the only group in Ireland with three full-service clinics and three satellite centres. Sims IVF is a member of Virtus Health group, providing access to some of the most advanced international treatments and research in the world.
The clinics offer a wide variety of fertility treatments and services, with options available for single women and same-sex female couples. This includes IVF, IUI, fertility preservation, donor programmes, and more.
This month, as we set the focus on fertility, we have highlighted some important tips and things to know about your fertility:
1) When should you consider testing or a visit to a fertility specialist?
Why an SSE Airtricity energy audit was a game changer for Aran Woollen Mills on its net-zero journey
Getting solid legal advice early in your company’s journey is invaluable
Water pollution has no one cause but many small steps and working together can bring great change
Empowering women in pharma: MSD Ireland’s commitment to supporting diverse leadership
A couple is not considered infertile until they have been trying to conceive without success for over 12 months. Approximately one in six couples in Ireland experience fertility difficulties. In most cases, a couple can be helped with assisted reproductive technology.
If you have been trying to conceive for more than 12 months (or six months if you are over 35 years of age) without success, it is recommended that you book an appointment with a fertility specialist who can conduct some simple fertility tests.
2) Knowledge
For your own peace of mind, it is best to get fertility testing done in your twenties or early thirties, even if you are not actively trying to conceive. With many people now spending more time studying, travelling, and building careers, reproductive health is often the last thing on our minds. Unfortunately, no matter how young we feel, the depletion of fertility as we age is inevitable.
It is important to remember that in 30 per cent of couples, the cause of infertility is attributed to male factor infertility, 30 per cent are female factor, 30 per cent will have a combination of male and female factors and in 10 per cent no cause will be found. This is called unexplained infertility.
3) Fertility testing
Many women visit their GP before trying for a baby for a check-up and to make sure routine health checks, such as vaccinations and pap smear, are up to date. Therefore, it’s natural that your GP may also be your first point of call if you have been trying for over 12 months (or after six months if you’re over 35) without success.
You can visit your GP for basic fertility testing, such as an AMH blood test. However, you do not need a GP referral to visit Sims IVF for a consultation.
There are a number of options available to assist those with impaired fertility to conceive. Scientific data shows that these treatments tend to be more successful in younger patients so it is important to do fertility testing at a young age so you can plan accordingly.
Improving patient experience and access to services
Egg donation
As a dynamic and advanced provider, we are always looking for ways to expand and enhance services for our patients. We are delighted to announce the commencement of two new egg donation programmes late last year. Egg donation has become an increasingly popular choice for couples who have exhausted other options, yet still failed to conceive. This is because egg donation has significantly higher chances of success than performing IVF with the woman’s own eggs. These programmes provide identifiable donors, and there is no travel involved for the patients.
Financial supports
All fertility treatment plans are personalised, and there is no ‘one size fits all’ for treatment or cost. We engage with finance partners to provide meaningful options which are tailored to suit individual patients’ needs in assisting them through their fertility journey. We are delighted to announce that we are an approved Vhi fertility centre. We have also introduced Humm, whereby patients can distribute the cost of fertility tests and treatments over a period of time, making treatment more financially flexible. Access Fertility is another scheme where patients can get a refund if their treatment is unsuccessful. We look forward to the introduction of public funding this year. We believe that public funding is essential to ensure that everyone who needs help starting a family can access treatment and that financial means should not be a barrier for any patient. We eagerly await further information on the rollout of this plan.
If you would like to find out more about fertility testing and treatment, please visit www. sims.ie