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This course is part of the RCOG Core Knowledge series.

Many couples of reproductive age will present to their general practitioner with a delay in achieving conception after regular unprotected sexual intercourse. These couples are considered infertile or subfertile. Although the terms subfertility and infertility imply a difference in the level of difficulty in achieving conception – subfertility implies reduced chances while infertility implies almost zero chances – the two terms are considered synonymous and are used interchangeably.

Increasing female age has a profound negative effect on the likelihood of pregnancy, both through natural conception and after fertility treatment. This is particularly true for women over 40 years of age. As women delay becoming mothers, the incidence of subfertility is likely to rise. The desire to have a child is a very basic human need for most individuals, and subfertility can cause enormous distress to those individuals affected.

When you have completed this course, you will be able to:

  • understand the epidemiology of subfertility
  • ascertain how likely it is for a couple to achieve natural conception
  • plan a structured consultation and management plan for the subfertile couple
  • understand some of the relevant ethical and legal issues.

Dr Athanasios Papathanasiou MD MRCOG FHEA (2024)

Dr Papathanasiou is the Medical Director of Bourn Hall Clinic, UK. He has extensive experience in fertility, assisted conception and reproductive endocrinology. Dr Papathanasiou has published influential articles on ‘poor ovarian response’ during IVF treatment. As a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, he also maintains a keen interest on medical educational matters.

This course is intended to help clinicians gain core knowledge for O&G training and the MRCOG examinations. It can also be used by O&G consultants to refresh their knowledge of the area or for teaching.

Product Details:

Product Name Price
Epidemiology, ethical and legal issues of subfertility - 12 Month Access £50.40