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OPTIONS ARE OPEN At London Women’s Clinic there is not a one-size-fits- all approach. Instead there are many different options to suit the individual
Dr Arthi Thangavel from London Women’s Clinic Cambridge helps us understand the fertility journey MEET THE FERTILITY EXPERT
D r Arthi Thangavel is a fertility specialist at London Women’s Clinic (LWC) Cambridge, whose career has taken her from the hospitals of India to the leading clinics of the UK. Here, she answers questions on navigating the fertility journey with clarity, courage and care. WHAT DREW YOU TO A CAREER IN FERTILITY TREATMENT? Honestly, it comes down to hope. What drew me to fertility medicine – and what keeps me here – is the belief that there is almost always an option, always a way to help someone build the family they long for. Wherever I have worked, the same truth remains: women deserve care that is compassionate, inclusive and within reach. WHAT SHOULD YOU KNOW BEFORE STARTING A FERTILITY JOURNEY? Three things stand out. First, you are not alone. Subfertility touches around one in six couples globally and asking for help early is a sign of strength, not weakness. Second, age matters – particularly egg quality and number – so it is worth talking openly about timing, even when the conversation feels uncomfortable. Third, this is a journey rather than a
sperm take to mature. Use that time kindly: start taking folic acid, aim for a healthy weight, keep moving, eat a well- balanced diet and ease back on alcohol, smoking and caffeine. As a rule of thumb, see a specialist if you have not conceived after a year of trying, or after six months if you are over 35. TAKING THE FIRST STEPS A Fertility Health Assessment at LWC is the first step in understanding your fertility. This includes an AMH (Anti Müllerian Hormone) blood test to check ovarian reserve, a pelvic ultrasound scan and, for male partners, a semen analysis. Each assessment concludes with a one-to-one consultation with a fertility specialist to discuss your results and any next steps.
single solution. It asks something of you emotionally, and success is not always possible on the first attempt. Choose a clinic regulated by the HFEA that sees you as a person, not a case number. CAN YOU BRIEFLY TALK US THROUGH THE TREATMENT OPTIONS? Every plan is shaped around the cause. For some, gentler options such as medication to encourage egg release or intrauterine insemination (IUI, where sperm is placed directly into the womb) are enough. IVF, where egg and sperm meet in the laboratory, is often the path for couples with blocked or damaged fallopian tubes or unexplained difficulty conceiving. ICSI, which injects a single sperm directly into an egg, is particularly effective for more significant sperm-related challenges. Donor eggs, sperm or embryos also open doors. I have a passion for gentler approaches, which is why I offer Kind iVF at LWC – a treatment that uses milder hormone stimulation rather than high doses. HOW FAR IN ADVANCE SHOULD YOU START PREPARING, AND WHAT DOES THAT INVOLVE? I usually suggest giving yourself around three months – roughly the time eggs and
To find out more information about London Women’s Clinic Cambridge, visit londonwomensclinic.com
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