GP Info
General Practice Information
At Merrion Fertility Clinic, we are acutely aware of the importance of a patient’s General Practitioner in investigating and managing fertility and pregnancy issues.
We accept GP referrals by letter, email, fax and electronically, via various GP software systems, including Socrates, HealthOne and HPM, and online via the Healthlink system. You can also advise your patients that they can self-refer on this website.
We welcome any queries or suggestions that you may have. Please email our GP Liaison Officer at info@merrionfertility.ie
Lifestyle Advice
In the leaflets below, we highlight the importance of:
- Female age and early referral of those over 35 years
- Stopping smoking and recreational drugs
- Reducing alcohol intake
- Optimising BMI
- Recommendations on frequency and timing of sexual intercourse
We suggest you refer patients to our “Helping Your Fertility” leaflets.
Initial Investigations
The following tests are required in advance of a fertility consult.
- Progesterone (7 days before next period)
- Rubella blood test
- AMH (Anti-Mullerian Hormone)
- Chlamydia swab
- TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone)
They can be carried out by the General Practitioner or can be provided at Merrion Fertility Clinic.
We would also encourage female patients to have up-to-date smear tests, which would be carried out by the General Practitioner.
Semen Analysis
Semen analysis should be completed within the previous 12 months prior to the initial fertility consultation appointment. It is preferable, but not compulsory, for this test to be carried out at Merrion Fertility Clinic or another fertility centre.
A GP letter of referral is required to make a semen analysis appointment.
Transvaginal Ultrasound Scan
A transvaginal ultasound scan is required in advance of a doctor consult.
It is important that this ultrasound scan is carried out in Merrion Fertility Clinic as our team will focus on specific fertility parameters which are not always assessed at general hospitals and clinics.
Healthlink System
We now accept referrals via various GP software systems, including Socrates, Healthone and HPM, and online via the Healthlink system. Find us under Merrion Fertility Clinic.
Referral
We recommend that all patients be referred for specialist review after regular unprotected intercourse for over 12 months.
Earlier referral should be considered if the female is over 35 or if there is a known fertility factor in either the male or female history such as:
- testicular issues
- oligomenorrhoea
- amenorrhoea
- endometriosis
- pelvic disease
- recurrent miscarriage
- ectopic pregnancy
- family history of early menopause
Referrals can be sent by:
- Post to: Merrion Fertility Clinic, 60 Lower Mount St, Dublin 2
- Fax to 01 556 7970
- Email to info@merrionfertility.ie
- Referrals can also be made on this website using the button below
