CompletedObservational

Factors that influence lifestyle behaviours of persons seeking fertility treatment

Lifestyle factors such as body weight and smoking can play a big role in your fertility journey. At Aberdeen Fertility Centre, nearly a third of patients face delays to their treatment because of these factors. Waiting for fertility care can be stressful and emotionally exhausting. Researchers want to understand the real challenges people face when trying to make healthy lifestyle changes before treatment begins. To find out, they are inviting patients referred to the centre to take part in a single online video interview. You can speak with the researcher on your own or together with your partner. There are no medical tests, clinic visits, or medications involved. By sharing your personal story, you can help NHS teams build better, kinder support programmes so future patients can access fertility treatment without unnecessary delays.

At a glance

Status

Completed

Sponsor

NHS Grampian

Enrolment target

Start

04 May 2026

Estimated completion

28 Jul 2026

Infertility

What is this study about?

Starting fertility treatment can be an emotional journey, and unexpected delays make it even harder. At the Aberdeen Fertility Centre, around 30% of patients have their treatment delayed because of lifestyle factors, such as having a higher body weight (BMI) or smoking. Because these factors can lower the chances of a successful pregnancy, NHS guidelines often require patients to meet certain health goals before treatment can begin. However, having your care put on hold can cause deep worry, stress, and anxiety.

Even when people are extremely motivated to start a family, making long-term changes to diet, exercise, or smoking habits is rarely easy. Everyday stress, work, mental health, and personal circumstances can all create barriers. Researchers want to listen directly to people going through this experience to understand what makes healthy lifestyle changes so difficult and what kind of support would actually help.

By taking part in this study, you will help researchers understand the practical and emotional hurdles people face before starting fertility care. The findings will be used to improve support services across NHS Grampian, helping staff guide patients more effectively and reducing future treatment delays for people hoping to start a family.

Key takeaways

The study explores what helps or hinders people in making healthy lifestyle changes before fertility treatment.
Participation involves just one online video interview via Microsoft Teams.
Open to patients aged 18 to 60 living in Scotland who have been referred to Aberdeen Fertility Centre.
You can take part on your own or alongside your partner.
Taking part will not affect your fertility treatment or your place on the waiting list.

Who may be eligible?

You may be eligible for this study if you are aged between 18 and 60, live in Scotland, and have been referred to the Aberdeen Fertility Centre for fertility care. It does not matter whether your treatment is funded by the NHS or paid for privately, or whether you have had previous fertility treatment such as IVF.

To take part, you must be comfortable speaking and understanding English, and you need to have access to Microsoft Teams for an online video call. Because the study relies on spoken conversations, you must also be willing to have the audio of your interview recorded.

This study is not open to people who are acting as egg or sperm donors, or people who are freezing their eggs, sperm, or embryos for the future (fertility preservation). It is designed specifically for people who are planning to carry a pregnancy themselves or with a partner.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

I am aged between 18 and 60 years old.
I live in Scotland.
I have been referred to the Aberdeen Fertility Centre for fertility treatment.
I am planning to carry a pregnancy (not acting as a donor or preserving fertility).
I can understand and speak English comfortably.
I have access to Microsoft Teams and agree to have the interview audio-recorded.

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

Taking part in this study is straightforward and takes place entirely from home. You will not need to travel to a clinic, take any medications, or undergo any physical medical tests. Participation involves a single online interview using Microsoft Teams with a researcher. You can choose to take part on your own or as a couple with your partner. During the interview, you will be asked about your experiences, your feelings about lifestyle advice, and what has helped or hindered you in making healthy changes. The conversation will be audio-recorded so the researchers can carefully study the themes discussed. Once your interview is finished, your participation in the study is complete, with no further follow-up sessions required.

Potential risks and benefits

There are no physical risks to taking part in this study. However, talking about your health, weight, smoking, and fertility can sometimes bring up sensitive, personal, or upsetting feelings. You do not have to answer any questions that make you uncomfortable, and you can take a break at any time. While taking part may not change your current treatment plan directly, many people find it helpful to share their story and reflect on their health goals. Your answers will also directly help doctors design better, more supportive care for other patients in the future. Joining is completely voluntary, and you have the right to withdraw at any point without it affecting your NHS fertility care.

Locations (1)

Some site locations are approximate. We're improving this — please verify with the trial team before travelling.

Aberdeen Fertility Centre
City only
Aberdeen, Scotland

Common questions

Will taking part affect my place on the fertility waiting list?

No. Taking part in this research is completely voluntary and will not change your place on the waiting list or alter your NHS fertility care in any way.

Does my partner have to join the interview?

No. You are welcome to take part as a couple if you wish, but you are also very welcome to join the interview on your own.

Where does the interview take place?

The interview takes place online via a secure Microsoft Teams video call, meaning you can join comfortably from your own home without travelling.

Why does the interview need to be audio-recorded?

The audio is recorded so researchers can accurately write down and study what was said. Your personal details will remain private, and your name will not appear in any reports.

What happens if I feel upset during our discussion?

You can pause, skip questions, or stop the interview entirely at any time. The researcher understands that fertility is a sensitive topic and will support you throughout.

How to find out more

Robyn Parkins

robyn.parkins@nhs.scot +44 (0)7469605129 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.