Find out what types of support and treatment options are available in a fertility clinic, and what happens in a fertility consultation.
Many people have a desire to have a child. However, family planning is not always easy, and the way there may have unexpected challenges. When couples or individuals are unable to get pregnant through conventional means, visiting a fertility clinic may be a promising option.
But what exactly awaits you there? What support and treatment options are available to you? Is a fertility center only for you if you have problems getting pregnant? In this article, we take a look at what to expect from a visit to a fertility center and how these specialised facilities can support you with fertility issues.
What is a fertility clinic?
A fertility clinic or fertility center is a medical facility that specialises in the evaluation and treatment of couples and individuals who are having difficulty conceiving naturally. A fertility clinic can also be helpful for individuals seeking out information about their fertility or their options. A fertility care team may include reproductive endocrinologists (doctors who specialise in hormones and fertility), gynecologists, embryologists and other medical specialists.
What exactly happens in a fertility clinic?
A fertility clinic offers a variety of examinations, diagnostic procedures and treatment options that are individually tailored to the needs of the patient. Appointments can be made at these clinics to discuss individual needs and plan the pathway to possible fertility treatment or pregnancy. You can expect a carefully planned process that aims to understand and support your individual needs, delivered in a sensitive environment.
In addition to comprehensive examinations and diagnostics, a fertility clinic can also provide psychological and emotional support for couples who are experiencing infertility or loss (such as due to recurrent miscarriages). Having difficulty conceiving can cause emotional stress for you and your partner, which can affect your own well-being and relationship. A fertility clinic offers not only medical solutions, but also psychological support to deal with the emotional challenges.
When should I visit a fertility clinic?
It may be the right time to visit a fertility clinic if you have been trying to conceive naturally for a long time but have not been successful. Infertility, or the inability to conceive after one year of regular unprotected sexual intercourse, can occur for various reasons, including hormonal disorders, structural abnormalities or genetic factors. Difficulty conceiving may be due to female factors, male factors, or a combination. In around 15% of cases, the cause of infertility remains unclear.
The professionals at the fertility clinic can more accurately diagnose these specific challenges and offer treatment options aimed at increasing the chances of a successful pregnancy. If, for example, one of the partners has a serious hereditary disease, assisted reproductive techniques, such as in vitro fertilisation (IVF) paired with preimplantation genetic testing (PGD), can make sense.
It is also a good idea to visit a fertility center if you would like advice on general aspects of fertility, whether for now or in the future. For example, if you would like to learn more about fertility preservation options, a fertility specialist can counsel you on your options. Many fertility clinics offer egg freezing and sperm freezing.
How do I find a suitable fertility clinic?
When searching for a suitable fertility center, it is important to find a facility that caters to the specific needs of couples or individuals seeking fertility counseling. You can ask your gynecologist for recommendations. A good fertility clinic has experienced specialists in gynecology and reproductive medicine who are familiar with the latest treatment methods. It is also a good idea to look for a center that includes psychological support in their healthcare approach.
Take your time to peruse the clinics' websites and reviews, then make an appointment for a personal consultation to meet the care team and ask any questions. A caring and supportive clinic will give you the confidence that you are in good hands.
What can I expect when going to a fertility clinic?
There are various steps that unfold when going to a fertility clinic, including initial consultation, fertility testing, and treatment. The exact process may vary, as every situation is unique. In general, you can expect the following.
Step 1. Initial consultation
As a first step, you can make your first appointment with fertility clinic of your choice via the contact form on the homepage, via email or with a simple call. This initial consultation serves to get to know you and your situation and to create a solid basis for the further course of any examinations and treatments.
This is your chance to share your medical records and history, efforts so far, and any concerns you may have. You should also feel free to ask any questions you may have, whether related to the testing and treatment procedures or prices. The fertility doctor will actively listen to you to get a comprehensive picture of your individual situation.
During this first visit, you will be informed about the various diagnostic procedures and tests that are available in the fertility clinic. These tests are designed to identify possible causes of infertility or factors that could affect a successful pregnancy.
The medical consultants will also talk about potential treatment methods that are individually tailored to your needs. This may include hormonal treatments, intrauterine insemination (IUI), or assisted reproductive technologies, such as IVF. You will learn about the pros and cons of these treatment options.
The aim of the consultation is to understand your individual situation to the best extent possible and to determine the most suitable strategy for your fertility journey.
Step 2: Fertility Testing
After your medical history has been documented, further examinations and diagnostic procedures usually follow in order to get a comprehensive picture of your fertility situation.
The analysis appointment will typically include blood hormone tests and a urine test for both partners. Hormone testing can provide insight into hormonal imbalances that are making pregnancy difficult. Through the urine test, it is possible to identify infections (such as chlamydia) or other diseases.
An ultrasound image can also be created for women, and a semen analysis done for men. With an ultrasound examination, it may be possible to see irregularities in the female reproductive organs, such as cysts on the ovaries or blocked fallopian tubes. A semen analysis will help determine if there are any issues with sperm health and functioning, sperm production, or issues with the male reproductive tract.
Step 3: Treatment plan meeting
Based on the fertility test results, an individual treatment plan is created that is tailored to the specific needs of the individual or couple. This plan may include additional diagnostics, medication, hormone treatments, or other supportive measures to maximize the chances of a successful pregnancy. When discussing the treatment plan, you will be informed about the results of the previous tests and the attending physicians will explain their recommendations for further treatment or further diagnostics.
Step 4: Further diagnostics
One further diagnostic that may be done is examining whether the fallopian tubes are blocked. There are different methods for doing this. These include, for example:
- Ultrasound examination of the fallopian tubes (hysterosalpingo contrast medium sonography or HyCoSy)
- X-ray examination with contrast agent of the uterine cavity and fallopian tubes (hysterosalpingography)
- Abdominal endoscopy (laparoscopy)
The uterus can also be examined more closely. This is usually done via a vaginal ultrasound, a HyCoSy or a hysteroscopy. The male partner may also be checked for varicoceles (swollen veins in the scrotum), ejaculation disorders, or blockage of the ejaculatory duct.
Step 5: Fertility Treatments or Social Feezing
As soon as the treatment plan has been drawn up, the actual fertility treatment is tackled in the fifth step. You will be accompanied by a dedicated team and specialised doctors who will support you throughout the entire process and be available to answer any questions or concerns you may have.
Possible fertility treatments for couples or individuals include:
- Hormone treatment: The ovulation cycle is stimulated, increasing the likelihood of pregnancy. This is typically done with the medications clomiphene citrate (CC) or letrozole. Although both medications stimulate the hormones responsible for the growth of an egg cell, only letrozole is currently used in Switzerland. According to one randomised controlled trial that compared the two treatments in women diagnosed with PCOS and with BMI < 35 kg/m2, the women on letrozole had significantly higher pregnancy rates and fewer cycles before pregnancy than those on CC.
- Intrauterine insemination (IUI): During IUI, the woman is injected with sperm using a catheter. A distinction is made between insemination in the uterus (IUI), insemination in the cervix (ICI), insemination in the uterus and fallopian tube (IUTPI) and insemination in the vagina. The most commonly used is the IUI. This can also be combined with hormone treatment.
- In vitro fertilisation (IVF): With this type of assisted fertilisation, the female egg cell is fertilised outside the body. Sperm and egg cell are placed in a container where, due to natural processes, a sperm enters the single cell and fertilizes it. Once the egg is fertilized, it is placed in the uterus.
- Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI): This method is often used when IVF is not considered promising due to limited mobility or sperm count. Here the best sperm is selected and inserted into the egg cell.
- Social freezing or the freezing of germ cells: If you want to optimally preserve fertility for the future, this method can be used to remove and preserve high-quality egg or sperm cells for a future pregnancy. In Switzerland, they may be kept for up to 10 years.
Does health insurance cover the costs of fertility treatment in Switzerland?
In Switzerland, health insurance covers some fertility treatments. Basic insurance covers stimulating hormone treatments for a maximum of twelve cycles or one year, including three inseminations, during which sperm are injected directly into the uterus. This method is typically less expensive than other assisted insemination techniques.
However, health insurance companies have not yet paid for IVF and ICSI treatments. The costs for social freezing in Switzerland must also be borne by the patients themselves.
Conclusion
If you want to visit a fertility center, you will first be invited to an introductory meeting. During this meeting, you will be informed about everything you want to know. You can explain your individual situation and ask the specialists questions. After an in-depth fertility analysis, you will be presented with a customised treatment plan.
A visit to a fertility clinic can offer hope, clarity and direction. It can help couples overcome the hurdles of infertility and realise their dream of having children. Reserve your spot for a free consultation with our fertility expert now!
