All you need to know about infertility trials

Infertility trials can be a terrific way to get cutting edge treatment or drugs more affordably than the typical rates. As with any experimental treatments there are risks involved, so ensure that you do your research beforehand!

You can check on the Internet for institutions (such as the CHR) who are calling for participants.

• Ensure that you meet the criteria. For example, they could be looking for couples who both have longer second toes and triangular birthmarks. Make sure who is permitted to participate before you start filling in forms and getting your hopes up! Also make sure with your GP before you apply.

• Confirm that you know what the study aims to achieve. Some studies test treatments, which can benefit you while others are only attemping to gather data in which case you won’t profit directly from the trials.

• How do the tests run? Some tests will make use of placebos, so you could not be gaining any substantial gain from the testing yourself, but you’ll be making it easier for the researchers to discover if the treatment really works. A placebo is when they hand out dummy medicine rather than pills with the testable stuff in them to make sure that it is themedicine that is working, rather than your optimistic thinking.

• Talk about finance before committing to anything. Some trials are completely funded so you could not be required to pay anything more than your transport costs to and from the clinic. It all depends on that particular trial, so make sure that you are aware of the details at the start.

• What are the possible dangers? Both you and your partner should be aware of precisely what the risks are, if any, and then make up your mind if you are ready to take the gamble. Understand that there is no guarantee that the therapy will work, but then again, there is a chance that they can. You’ll have to decide for yourself.

Taking advantage of the most cutting-edge technology, which may offer alternatives that weren’t available before, and assisting other couples struggling with infertility sounds like a win-win situation. Do your research, make your choice, and go with it!

Here is more information on Infertility Cost. Here is a website with a free mini-course dedicated to Infertility.