Researchers at the University of Aberdeen, in collaboration with the Grampian National Health Service, have developed a new tool to help couples facing fertility problems estimate their chances of having a baby naturally.
A study conducted by researchers showed that about 13% of couples diagnosed with fertility problems were able to conceive naturally within a year of diagnosis, and the pregnancies ended with the birth of a live baby.
The tool, whose development results were published in the journal Human Reproduction Open, is the first of its kind that can be used to estimate the chances of natural conception in couples with various types of fertility problems, not just those for whom doctors have not found a clear cause of infertility.
Researchers analyzed data from 7,086 heterosexual couples who visited the NHS Aberdeen Fertility Centre in Grampian, and found that 891 couples were able to conceive naturally within a year of being diagnosed with fertility problems.
The results showed that the length of time the couple had suffered from fertility problems, the woman's advanced age, and the presence of problems in the fallopian tubes were among the most prominent factors associated with a decrease in the chances of natural pregnancy.
Conversely, the chances of having a child without treatment were higher among couples who had previously been pregnant, as well as among those for whom no clear cause of their fertility problems had been identified, a condition known as "unexplained infertility".
Researchers believe that knowing these possibilities can help couples and doctors make clearer decisions about the timing of treatment, especially since some couples may be able to conceive naturally despite being diagnosed with a fertility problem.
Dr. Natalie Cameron, who led the research at the University of Aberdeen, said that a diagnosis of infertility does not necessarily mean that natural conception is impossible, noting that an individualized assessment of the likelihood of pregnancy can help couples better understand their situation when discussing fertility treatment options.
She added that some couples may be inclined to resort to fertility treatment early, while the new tool helps to compare the potential benefits of treatment with the chances of getting pregnant without treatment.
Cameron noted that the couples participating in the research expressed a desire for more detailed and realistic information about what might happen if they continued trying to conceive without treatment.
Gwenda Burns, CEO of the Fertility Alliance, welcomed the development of the tool, stressing that personalized, evidence-based information can help people facing fertility problems better understand their options.
She emphasized that decisions regarding undergoing fertility treatment and its timing can have significant emotional, physical, and financial implications, and that the tool can support dialogue between patients and healthcare professionals.
The researchers hope that the tool will be an addition to current methods of predicting the outcomes of fertility treatments, and will help identify couples who may benefit from early treatment, while avoiding resorting to treatment at a time when it may not be necessary.
The fertility probability calculator tool can be accessed via its dedicated link .
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