Sperm DNA Fragmentation Testing Testing now available at Care Fertility. Sperm DNA fragmentation refers to breaks or damage within the DNA carried by spermatozoa. While a standard semen analysis assesses the concentration, motility and morphology, it does not assess DNA integrity. Elevated DNA fragmentation has been associated with; Reduced fertilisation and blastocyst development, an increased risk in miscarriage and lower live birth rates, even with normal semen parameters. Testing the

The Growing Need for Fertility Education in Healthcare At the 2026 ASPIRE Congress 2026 in Beijing, one of the world’s leading meetings in reproductive medicine and fertility care, Our Care Fertility Nurse, Bec Moore, presented research exploring how fertility education is currently taught within Australian and New Zealand medical schools. The presentation highlighted a striking disconnect: while delayed childbearing is increasingly common among doctors and healthcare profe

Celebrating Hope, Science and Parenthood Every year on 25 July, World IVF Day commemorates one of the most significant breakthroughs in reproductive medicine: the birth of Louise Joy Brown, the world's first baby conceived through IVF. Born in England on 25 July 1978, Louise's arrival marked the beginning of a new era in fertility treatment. The pioneering work of Dr Robert Edwards, Dr Patrick Steptoe and embryologist Jean Purdy offered hope to people facing infertility at a time when few trea

PCOS is now known as PMOS. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) has been one of the most common hormonal conditions affecting women of reproductive age. However, in 2026, a global expert consensus officially recommended changing the name to Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS). While the condition itself has not changed, the new name aims to better reflect what healthcare professionals and researchers have understood for decades: this is far more than just an ovarian condition. The

 Progestin-Primed Ovarian Stimulation (PPOS) is a newer IVF stimulation protocol used to help prevent premature ovulation during an IVF or egg freezing cycle. Traditionally, IVF stimulation requires daily hormone injections alongside additional medications. With PPOS, an oral progesterone medication is used instead to suppress ovulation during stimulation.  PPOS has become increasingly popular in fertility treatment, particularly for: Egg freezing Fertility preservation Patients

Micro-TESE: A Breakthrough in Male Infertility Treatment. Infertility affects millions of people worldwide and is not limited to women; male infertility is also a significant concern. Thankfully, advancements in medical technology and procedures have provided men with new hope, one of which is Micro-TESE. Micro-TESE is short for Microsurgical Testicular Sperm Extraction. It is a surgical procedure to retrieve sperm from the testicular tissue. Micro-TESE is key for men with infertility, especial

Adenomyosis is a condition where the endometrial tissue that normally lines the uterus, grows into the uterine muscle wall, unlike Endometriosis, which grows on the outside of the uterus. During a menstrual cycle, the tissue continues to grow, degrade and bleed regularly. Sometimes resulting in an enlarged uterus and a painful, heavy menstruation. It is important to remember that while symptoms such as heavy bleeding, pelvic pain, severe cramping or pain during intercourse are often associated

In recent years, advancements in reproductive technology have given more women the option to take charge of their fertility journey. One popular option is oocyte (egg) freezing, which is a process where women can freeze their eggs to keep the possibility of future pregnancy open. Egg freezing is a process where a woman's eggs are collected, frozen and then stored for future use. Many women are choosing this option as a way to have children later on in life, for reasons other than a medical neces

GLP-1 Medications GLP-1 (Glucagon-Like Peptide-1) agonists are medications which were originally developed to help manage type 2 diabetes, however in recent years they have also been prescribed to support medical weight management. These medications work by mimicking a natural hormone called GLP-1, which your body releases after eating. This hormone works by signaling your pancreas to release insulin, helping to regulate blood sugar and slowing the emptying of the stomach - leading to a feeling

At Care Fertility, we understand that preparing for IVF treatments and procedures can be both emotionally and physically demanding. We also know how important it is to keep your care moving forward while making sure every step is as safe as possible. For some women, having a body mass index (BMI) over 35 can increase anaesthetic risks during procedures that involve general anaesthesia. Because of this, Care Fertility may recommend that your oocyte collection procedure may be scheduled

Deferring anaesthesia for oocyte collection if a woman has a body mass index (BMI) over 40. At Care Fertility, we understand that preparing for IVF treatments and procedures can be both emotionally and physically demanding. It’s important that you are aware of the factors that can affect anaesthesia and the ability to safely perform your procedures. Having a BMI over 40 can increase certain risks during anaesthesia which may include breathing difficulties, lower oxygen levels, increased strain

November 19th is International Mens Day, a day dedicated to recognising the positive contributions men make to society, promoting their health and wellbeing, and encouraging positive role models for future generations. This day is an important opportunity to address mens health issues that are often overlooked and a big one is fertility.

Care Fertility has passed Accreditation Care Fertility has recently undergone recertification for compliance with the Code of Practice for Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) Units. The code was developed to provide a minimum standard and set criteria for independent auditors to visit the clinic on an annual basis. We are very happy to advise that Care Fertility has met all the Critical and Good Practice criteria outlined in the code. These external auditing processes promote continual improv

Each October, families and communities around the world come together in memory and strength for International Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month. It is a time to pause and reflect on the heartbreak experienced by parents and families through miscarriage, stillbirth or infant loss.

Australia’s fertility rate has been in steady decline since the 1960’s, with more women having children later in life, choosing to have fewer children, or deciding to not have children at all. The total fertility rate (TFR) which measures the average number of children a woman is expected to have during her reproductive years has dropped from 3.55 babies per woman in the 1960’s to 1.66 in 2021.

September 12 is R U OK? Day, a national reminder to trust your instincts if someone you care about seems to be struggling. It’s about starting a simple but powerful conversation to let them know they are not alone, and encouraging them to seek the support they need.  At Care Fertility, we deeply understand the emotional journey that infertility and fertility treatments can take you on.

Each September, Women’s Health Week highlights the importance of women putting their health and wellbeing first. It encourages and reminds women to take initiative - whether that means booking that appointment you’ve been delaying, starting a conversation about your health, or listening to the signals your body is giving you when something doesn’t feel quite right.  Each year, the week shines a light on key themes such as nutrition, heart health, women’s pain, preventative care, mental well

PMOS Awareness Month is an opportunity to start conversations, share stories, and educate ourselves and others about this common condition. By spreading awareness, supporting research, and encouraging open conversation - we can build a more informed and supportive community for women living with PMOS and other reproductive health conditions.

A recent reported case of an embryo being transferred to the wrong patient in a fertitily clinic not associated with Care Fertility has caused alarm and concern amongst patients accessing IVF treatment. 

At Care Fertility, we understand that fertility challenges can be complex and deeply personal. That’s why we individualise fertility counselling and treatment options. Care Fertility provides evidence based and up-to-date care for women and their partners for family planning. We commonly encounter patients with Premature Ovarian Insufficiency (POI) and help them on their journey toward parenthood.

When trying to conceive it’s important to understand when you’re ovulating. This can help learn when is the best time to have sexual intercourse to increase your chances of conceiving. If you’re trying to conceive, you’ve most likely heard of fertility or ovulation tracking apps. But do they work and how accurate are they?

When undergoing IVF, the journey towards parenthood can be fraught with challenges, and one of the most disheartening obstacles is recurrent implantation failure. When embryos fail to implant into the uterine lining despite multiple attempts, it can leave patients feeling frustrated and hopeless. So, what can be done when embryos won’t “stick”?

When embryos are transferred, tests can be performed to help identify when is the optimal time to transfer an embryo (also known as window of implantation). Are these tests suited for everyone? A recent study helps us understand who is best suited for the test. 

Dr Clare Boothroyd shares some practical tips on what a couple or woman can do to help prevent the recurrence of a misscarriage.

Dr Clare Boothroyd explains what Natural Killer Cells are and how they could be associated with infertility. 

You might have heard of Zika virus through the media, which is usually spread through mosquito bites. Though we don’t hear much about it now, it can be harmful to get Zika if you’re trying to conceive or have fertility treatment.

PGT-A (preimplantation genetic testing) is a form of genetic testing. Though PGT-A does not repair embryos, it can identify embryos that have developed to the blastocyst stage and appear normal, but are not suitable for transfer because of underlying genetic abnormalities.

In some circumstances, using donated embryos is the best way to have a  healthy baby. Different states within Australia have different laws regarding using donated embryos, but we will explain how embryo donation works at Care Fertility in Queensland. 

Care Fertility has recently been announced as the one of the top performing clinics in Australia among women aged 35 and under by The Courier Mail. 

You might have thought that all vaginal lubricants are sperm friendly. However a study that has been performed has shown some lubricants can have a negative impact on sperm health. This can then impact couples trying to conceive naturally or through fertility treatments. 

IUI (Intrauterine insemination) is a procedure of placing sperm directly into the cavity of the uterus of the women, in the hope she will conceive a pregnancy.

Dr Boothroyd recently attended a conference where Professor Michael Eisenberg spoke about his research that shows there’s a correlation between a male’s sperm quality  and their risk of certain diseases. 

Frozen embryos is a common way for couples to maximise the chance of falling pregnant from a single IVF or ICSI cycle. When using frozen embryos, there is a process of thawing the embryos and then transferring them to the uterus. There are three ways in which a uterus is prepared for the transfer of a thawed frozen embryo. 

A recent study looked into the dose of FSH (a follicle stimulating hormone) given during IVF to see if it affects the number of eggs or the number of embryos.

A chemical pregnancy is a very early pregnancy loss, usually before the fifth week. The egg is fertilised, and starts to implant in the uterus. Chemical pregnancies are very common and as they occur not long after conception and many couples may not realise they have had a chemical pregnancy. 

When you’re deciding which fertility clinic to start your IVF journey with, success rates can be one factor to consider. However, when comparing IVF success rates it can be confusing. Here are 3 tips to help you understand and interpret IVF success rates.

There’s been much speculation that COVID-19 vaccines might affect a man’s fertility. Though there is no evidence that COVID-19 vaccines impact fertility, there are recent studies suggesting that one potentially long-lasting consequence of having infection with the SARS Cov-2 virus  (COVID-19 virus) affects male fertility adversely and may cause male infertility. 

There are infusion fertility “add-ons” that are sometimes offered before starting fertility treatment. In this article, we will explain how the infusion works and if it should be used as an add-on for fertility treatment.

Carrier screening is a test to determine if you are a carrier of a specific disease. Even if you don’t have the disease, you can be a carrier of the gene causing the disease. In this blog, we’ll explain how genes work and if you should have your embryos tested for genetic abnormalities.

Having a miscarriage is extremely distressing and sad. Many women feel they have done something wrong or that there is something wrong with them. This is not always the case and unfortunately, miscarriages are common. With a natural pregnancy 1 in 5 are miscarriages. With IVF pregnancy 1 in 4 pregnancies miscarry. 

In Australia, robots are used for many different types of surgeries, such as prostatic surgery now robotic surgery can be used during fertility treatment. Using robot technology in fertility treatments allows complex manoeuvres, excellent magnification, reduced blood loss and faster recovery time.

Endometriosis is when tissue, similar to the lining of the womb, is found typically in the pelvis and around the womb. Here are 4 things to know about endometriosis.

Understanding infertility and the treatments can be overwhelming. The first decision to make will be choosing a fertility clinic. With so many fertility clinics, it can be hard to decide what clinic is best for you. Here are some questions that you should ask a fertility clinic before starting any treatments.  

Many human embryos have genetic abnormalities. Genetic abnormalities are extra or missing chromosomes or parts of chromosomes, which is very common in human embryos and here’s what can happen.

With so much information about fertility, it can be hard to understand what’s true and what’s a myth. That’s why we’ve uncovered 3 of the top fertility myths. 

A new clinical trial conducted through Care Fertility is pioneering early stage research for aspiring parents using IVF, who have been rendered infertile due to the woman having a thin lining of the womb.

Before starting IVF treatment it is common to think of questions like ‘What can I do to improve my chances of falling pregnant?’, which is what we are commonly asked at Care Fertility. Here’s what we suggest to our patients that you and your partner should be doing before you start IVF treatment. 

The uterus is normally shaped similar to a pear. However, it’s common for women to have an unusually shaped uterus which results from development. An arcuate uterus is one type of abnormality, where there is an indentation at the top of the uterus.

Dealing with infertility can be emotionally challenging and can put pressure on your relationship. Counselling during IVF treatment is not for everyone, but can help to deal with mixed emotions.

The first thing people think of when it comes to fertility issues is IVF. However, if your ovulation is infrequent, ovulation induction might be the right treatment for you. Ovulation induction requires taking medication to increase ovulation. 

A clinical trial that is currently being performed at Care Fertility, has recently achieved its first ongoing pregnancy which is now past thirty weeks.

Caesarean section has been a great innovation in reproductive healthcare and can be lifesaving for the mother and/or baby. Many mothers have a caesarean birth, but some are unaware of the potential risks after a caesarean birth, reduced future fertility being one of them. There is some evidence that fertility is reduced after birth by caesarean section compared to having a vaginal birth.

One of the common causes of male infertility is a low sperm count. If you or your partner have had a semen analysis and the sperm count is low, make sure you ask your specialist to check for a Varicocele.

At Care Fertility we are often asked if ICSI is more successful than IVF. To put it simply, it depends. 

When having IVF treatment there is a range of add on treatments available which are aimed at increasing the chance of conceiving with IVF. Having acupuncture during IVF is an add on that is gaining more awareness. To understand if having acupuncture during IVF has any effect, Care Fertility joined with other researchers to perform a clinical trial. 

Over the years, there have been conflicting views about how lifestyle choices affect fertility and IVF treatment. Dr Clare Boothroyd attended a conference where research was presented about how lifestyle choices can affect fertility and even IVF treatment.

“Add-ons” have attracted attention lately as international authorities have made announcements about restricting access to “add-ons”.

One of the common questions we are asked when going through IVF is ‘can the embryo fall out after transferred’? To put it simply, no and here’s why.

The contraceptive pill is very common in Australia and we are always asked of the effects of taking the pill when trying to fall pregnant. Dr Clare Boothroyd talks about the effects of the contraception pill in this short video.

Since 1947 we have made many new chemicals - plastics, fire retardants, cosmetics and so on. Many of these chemicals we now know influence reproduction, these are classified as endocrine disruptors.

It’s quite common for a male to have a vasectomy and later down the track a couple decide they would like a child. In these instances, there are two options - one is a have vasectomy reversal and the other is IVF with ICSI.

In this video Dr Clare Boothroyd discusses the best age to have a baby, how the changes in society are affecting our chances of having a baby, effects on our fertility when taking the pill and AMH test.

Ever wanted to know what the common cause of infertility is in Australia? Dr Clare Boothroyd briefly talks and explains this topic in a short video.   

Turmeric is currently being named a ‘super food’ and used in almost everything (even in lattes). Curcumin is an active ingredient in turmeric, which commonly known for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. We look into if Turmeric affects your fertility or trying to conceive. 

With more and more couples trying to conceiving at an older age, fertility preservation is becoming more common. Women are increasingly choosing to freeze and store their eggs because it is known that the chance of a live birth reduces greatly when the eggs are obtained from an older women. 

Endometrial scratch is a procedure that is performed before IVF. It involves grazing the tissue of the womb, when taking a tissue biopsy and can be quite painful and invasive. It had been thought for years that endometrial scratch would increase IVF success rates. However, a recent study has finally ended the uncertainty. 

If you’re going through IVF, you’ve probably heard ‘FSH’. But what exactly is FSH and why is it used in fertility treatments?

Dr Clare Boothroyd has been instrumental in the birth of hundreds of IVF babies and she has dedicated her life to the treatment of infertility, training new clinicians in the field and improving treatments for fertility problems.

Recently Dr Clare Boothroyd attended a fertility conference in Europe where there were some interesting findings of fertility and IVF. One finding was that nuts can improve sperm count.

Remember when mobile phones didn’t exist? Who would have believed that everyone - even school children would be carrying a mobile phone? Technologies have to be initially used by early adopters (the ones always wanting to try new technologies). The same goes with IVF incubators.

Lately mitochondrial transfer (known in the media as ‘three person ivf’) has been in the media more than normal as it is currently illegal in Australia. There are mixed views about mitochondrial transfer and here’s what Dr Boothroyd, one of Care Fertility’s Fertility Specialists, shares about mitochondrial transfer.

On the 25th July, it had been 40 years since the world’s first IVF baby was born. Since then there have been many changes to IVF to make IVF more successful. Here are a few of the significant changes to IVF.