Making sense of Unexplained infertility with James Nicopoullos
Welcome to this episode of The Fertility Podcast, the official podcast of Fertility Action. In this conversation, Natalie is joined by long-time friend of the show and Fertility Action trustee Dr. James Nicopoullos, consultant gynaecologist and medical director at The Lister. They dive into the often frustrating diagnosis of unexplained infertility - what it actually means, how it impacts your treatment options, and what you can do when you feel like you're hitting a wall.
This episode also covers highlights from Fertility Action’s recent campaign in Parliament, new shifts in male fertility awareness, and why conversations around fertility at work still have a long way to go.
What we discuss:
- Parliament updates and raising awareness about cuts to NHS fertility funding
- The Fertility Show and how to handle the overwhelm as a new patient
- James' role as a Fertility Action trustee and why he believes in Katie’s mission
- What unexplained infertility really means (and why it's so common)
- The emotional toll of having no clear answers, especially for people used to being in control
- Questions to ask your doctor when faced with unexplained or subfertility
- What to rule out: hormones, anatomy, sperm DNA, and more
- The reality of add-ons and how to weigh evidence-based versus emerging options
- When it makes sense to seek a second opinion and how clinics typically respond
- The evolving conversation around male infertility and the importance of male involvement
- Fertility in the workplace, what patients are still dealing with, and how employers can do better
- Why infertility still isn’t fully recognized as a legitimate health condition in some policies
- How education, advocacy, and testing are slowly shifting public perception
Quote to remember:
“You should be using your annual leave for a holiday, not to do fertility treatment.”
Listen if you’re:
Dealing with a diagnosis of unexplained infertility, feeling stuck after multiple cycles, or needing a reminder that there are still questions worth asking and answers worth pursuing.
Links & Resources
- Follow Fertility Action: @fertility.action
- DM Natalie: @fertilitypoddy
- Email: natalie@thefertilitypodcast.com
- Subscribe to the podcast on your app of choice
- Learn more about Dr. James Nicopoullos: Lister Fertility Clinic
- Explore Fertility Action’s support groups and advocacy work: fertilityaction.org
