Dr Nagla Elfaki, a London-based obstetrics and gynaecology specialist, shared a series of videos on TikTok in which she revealed the advice she would give to her patients
Having difficulty conceiving a baby can be amongst the most challenging and upsetting ordeals anyone can endure. Fortunately, there’s plenty of support and guidance on offer, both via the NHS and through private services.
And one fertility specialist has shared a collection of insights she wishes her patients understood. London-based obstetrics and gynaecology expert Dr Nagla Elfaki uploaded three videos on TikTok with the caption: “Advice I’d give you as a fertility doctor if I wasn’t afraid to hurt your feelings.”
In each clip, Dr Elfaki presented five key points she believes anyone facing fertility challenges should understand, reports the Mirror. In the opening video, she stated: “Not having a period and not being on hormonal birth control is not normal. Go and see your doctor.”
She continued with: “Periods that are so heavy or painful that you miss work or social plans are not normal. Go and see your doctor.” Her third recommendation was: “The pill didn’t cause your painful or irregular periods. It managed them. When you stopped, the underlying issue was still there.”
The fourth point declared: “A healthy lifestyle is important, but it cannot override the effect of age on fertility.” She wrapped up by saying: “Doctors don’t know everything. If you feel dismissed, get a second opinion.”
In the second video, she shared five more tips. She stated: “Smoking is one of the worst things you can do for your fertility – it damages both egg and sperm quality. Vaping is also bad – we don’t have as much data but are you really willing to take that risk? If you are eligible for NHS funded IVF – smoking will invalidate that.”
She went on to say: “You don’t need to delay fertility treatment to spend six months changing your diet, the evidence isn’t strong enough to support that kind of delay, and time is more important.”
Wrapping up, Dr Elfaki advised: “STIs can affect your future fertility – use a condom!!!”
In the third video, she said: “Stop asking women when they’re going to have children – it’s none of your business. Freezing your eggs younger gives you more options later down the line.
“You can have a child without meeting a man even if it’s not how you pictured having a family. Your job might pay for you to freeze your eggs but your personal life is not their priority.”
Concluding, Dr Elfaki said: “Decide what’s important to you and be proactive – that might look like freezing your eggs for one person or quitting smoking for another person – there’s no one size fits all.”
According to the NHS, approximately one in seven couples struggle to conceive. The organisation advises anyone who has not fallen pregnant after trying for more than a year to consult their GP. Women aged 36 and older, or those already aware they may have fertility issues, should see their doctor sooner.
There are two types of infertility:
- Primary infertility: When someone who has never previously conceived a child has trouble conceiving
- Secondary infertility: When someone who has been pregnant at least once in the past has difficulty conceiving again
Risk factors encompass age, weight, and sexually transmitted infections, as well as smoking and drinking. Stress, and environmental factors such as exposure to certain chemicals can also impact fertility, particularly in men.
