Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, you need a referral to see a fertility specialist. A referral from your GP or gynaecologist is required to access Medicare rebates on consultation fees and treatment. Don’t worry if you don’t have a GP, you can use Hola Health Online, a free GP service for a referral to City Fertility or make an appointment with a City Fertility GP.

Yes. You can book your appointment first and arrange a referral from your GP in the meantime. Just make sure your referral is ready by the time of your consultation to access Medicare rebates. Our team can guide you through this process when you call to book.

We recommend seeing a specialists after 12 months of regular, unprotected intercourse without conception. For women over 35, that timeframe is shortened to six months. If you have a known condition such as endometriosis, PCOS, irregular cycles, or a history of pelvic surgery, earlier assessment is worthwhile regardless of how long you have been trying.

Infertility is generally defined as the inability to achieve a successful pregnancy based on a patient’s medical, sexual, and reproductive history, age, physical findings, diagnostic testing, or any combinations of these factors and the need for medical intervention to achieve a successful pregnancy. It affects both men and women. If you have been trying to conceive without success, or have concerns about your reproductive health, reaching out to a specialist early gives you access to more options.

Typically, we recommend you seek medical advice If you are under 35 and haven’t conceived after a year of trying and if you If you are over 35 and haven’t conceived after six months of trying. If you have irregular periods, a known reproductive condition, or a male partner with a previous semen analysis showing concerns, seeing a specialist sooner makes sense.

Bring your referral letter, Medicare card, and any previous test results or medical records relevant to your fertility or reproductive health. If your partner is attending, they should bring their own referral and Medicare card too. A list of any current medications is also helpful. The more information your specialist has upfront, the more useful that first conversation will be.

Appointment availability varies by clinic and doctor. Some City Fertility clinics offer extended hours to accommodate patients with work or family commitments. You can check availability on online bookings or contact our Fertility Advice Centre team for advice.

We ask that patients notify us as early as possible if they need to cancel or reschedule an appointment. This allows us to offer that time to another patient. Specific notice requirements may vary by appointment type, so please contact your clinic directly for details.

A Medicare card is not required to receive treatment at City Fertility. However, holding a valid Medicare card and a current referral means you may be eligible for Medicare rebates on consultation fees and some treatment costs. If you are not eligible for Medicare, our team can outline the full costs involved so you can plan accordingly.

The timeline varies considerably depending on the type of treatment, your family goals and individual circumstances. An IVF cycle generally takes four to six weeks. Some patients conceive on the first cycle; others require more. Your specialist will give you a realistic picture of what to expect based on your situation after completing initial testing.

Most patients continue working throughout treatment. IVF does involve regular clinic visits for monitoring, particularly in the first two weeks of a cycle. These appointments are usually in the morning and are often brief. Some patients take a day or two off around the egg collection procedure, but this varies. Your specialist can give you a clearer idea of what your schedule may look like.

Domestic travel is generally manageable around treatment, though cycle monitoring requires regular clinic attendance, so staying close to your clinic during key phases is important. International travel during an active treatment cycle is usually not advised. Let your care team know about any travel plans so they can help you schedule around them.

IVF (in vitro fertilisation) involves stimulating the ovaries to produce multiple eggs, collecting those eggs via a minor procedure, fertilising them with sperm in a laboratory, and then transferring a resulting embryo into the uterus. The entire process for a single cycle typically spans four to six weeks, though this varies between individuals.

IVF success rates primarily depend on the age of the female partner, the underlying cause of infertility, and individual response to treatment. In general, younger patients tend to have higher success rates per cycle. The likelihood of achieving a successful pregnancy is largely age related, with better outcomes when using younger eggs.

Your specialist will discuss your specific chances based on your personal circumstances, the results of your initial testing and if appropriate your partner’s test results. You may find it helpful to explore the Your IVF Success online estimator, which provides success rate predictions based on age.

Some patients conceive on their first cycle; others need two, three, or more. The number of cycles needed depends on how many viable embryos are created, individual implantation rates, and patient age. Your specialist will review progress after each cycle and adjust the approach as needed.

An IVF cycle has several phases. First, hormonal medications stimulate the ovaries to produce multiple eggs over about 10 to 14 days, with regular monitoring via blood tests and ultrasounds. Once the eggs are mature, they are collected under light sedation. The eggs are then fertilised in the laboratory, and one or more embryos are grown over several days. A viable embryo is transferred into the uterus, and a pregnancy test is done approximately two weeks later.

Testing typically covers both partners. For women, common investigations include blood tests to assess hormone levels and ovarian reserve (such as AMH), an ultrasound to examine the uterus and ovaries, and sometimes a hysterosalpingogram (HSG) to check that the fallopian tubes are open. For men, a semen analysis is the standard starting point. Your specialist will recommend the tests most relevant to your situation.

Some tests are timed to specific days in a woman’s menstrual cycle, particularly hormone blood tests. Your specialist will advise on the right timing once you have had your initial consultation. Male semen analysis can generally be done at any time. Testing as a couple gives the most complete picture.

Diagnosis starts with a consultation and a review of your medical history. From there, targeted testing for both partners is used to identify any underlying causes. In some cases, a clear cause is found, such as a low sperm count or hormonal imbalance. In 10% of cases no single cause is identified, which is known as unexplained infertility. A diagnosis helps guide which treatment pathway is most appropriate.

The most frequently identified causes include low sperm count, poor sperm motility (ability to swim), and abnormal sperm morphology (shape). Other causes include hormonal imbalances, varicocele (enlarged veins in the scrotum), blockages in the reproductive tract, and previous infections. Lifestyle factors such as smoking, excess alcohol, and heat exposure can also affect sperm quality.

The primary diagnostic test is a semen analysis, which assesses sperm count, motility, and morphology. If results are abnormal, further investigation may include hormone blood tests, a physical examination, or ultrasound. In some cases, genetic testing is recommended. A specialist andrology consultation can provide a thorough assessment.

Treatment options depend on the cause and severity of the problem. Lifestyle changes can improve sperm quality in many cases. Medical or surgical treatment may be appropriate for specific conditions such as hormonal imbalances or varicocele. In assisted reproduction, ICSI (intracytoplasmic sperm injection) is commonly used alongside IVF when sperm quality is a concern, as it involves injecting a single sperm directly into an egg.

Common causes include ovulation disorders (such as PCOS), endometriosis, blocked or damaged fallopian tubes, poor ovarian reserve, and uterine abnormalities such as fibroids or polyps. Age-related decline in egg quality and quantity is also a significant factor. In some cases, no clear cause is found.

Yes, for both. For women, fertility begins to decline gradually in the early 30s and more significantly after 35, largely due to a reduction in egg quantity and quality. For men, sperm quality also declines with age, though less abruptly. These changes do not mean conception is impossible at older ages, but they do affect the likelihood of conceiving and the success rates of treatment.

Several modifiable factors have a meaningful impact on fertility for both men and women. Smoking reduces fertility in both partners. Excess alcohol intake affects hormone levels and sperm quality. Being significantly underweight or overweight can disrupt ovulation. High levels of stress may also have an effect, though the direct impact is less clear-cut. Your specialist can help identify any lifestyle changes that are relevant to your situation.

Egg freezing (oocyte cryopreservation) is the process of stimulating your ovaries to produce eggs, collecting them via a minor procedure, and preserving them at very low temperatures. The eggs can then be stored and used at a later stage when you are ready to start or grow your family.

Egg freezing may be worth considering for women who want to preserve their fertility options for the future. This includes women who are not yet ready to have children but want to protect against age-related egg quality decline, those facing medical treatment such as chemotherapy that could affect fertility, and women with a family history of early menopause. A conversation with a specialist can help you decide if the timing is right for you.

In Australia, eggs can generally be stored for up to 10 years, with extensions available in specific circumstances. Storage periods and conditions are governed by state-based legislation, so the rules can vary depending on where you are located. Your City Fertility specialist can explain the storage regulations that apply to you.

Costs vary depending on the type of treatment, your individual circumstances, and your Medicare eligibility. City Fertility provides a detailed cost estimate before treatment begins so you have a clear picture of what to expect. Transparency of costs is very important and we publish our costs for a full breakdown including an estimate of the expected out-of-pocket costs (after the Medicare rebate).

Medicare provides rebates on certain fertility-related consultations, tests, and procedures for eligible patients. A valid Medicare card and a current referral are required to access these rebates. The level of rebate available depends on the specific treatment and your Medicare Safety Net status. Patient Services at City Fertility can help you understand what you may be eligible to claim.

Yes. City Fertility offers payment plan options to help patients manage the cost of treatment. Our team can walk you through what is available and help you find an arrangement that works for your circumstances. Ask at your consultation or contact the clinic directly to discuss your options.