One in six people worldwide experience infertility at some point in their lives, the World Health Organisation has said, as it released its first global guideline calling for safer, fairer and more affordable fertility care.
Despite the scale of the problem, access to treatment remains severely limited, with some countries charging more for a single cycle of in vitro fertilisation (IVF) than a family earns in a year. WHO warned that high costs, safety concerns and poor availability continue to prevent millions from receiving adequate care.
The new guideline sets out 40 evidence-based recommendations on the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of infertility, from basic fertility advice to advanced reproductive technologies. The organisation said the guidance aims to address entrenched inequalities and improve the quality of services globally.
Infertility is defined as a disease of the male or female reproductive system, characterised by the inability to achieve pregnancy after 12 months of regular unprotected sexual intercourse. WHO said prevalence rates are similar across income levels and regions, reinforcing infertility as a universal public health issue.
The guideline also highlights reproductive rights, stating that individuals and couples have the right to decide the number, timing and spacing of their children. However, WHO said gaps between desired and actual fertility in many countries point to unmet reproductive needs linked to infertility.
Addressing infertility, the organisation added, is a key component of reproductive health and should be integrated into wider family planning services. It urged governments to strengthen systems that prevent, diagnose and treat infertility, noting large disparities in the availability, affordability and quality of care.
“By acting urgently, countries have an opportunity to mitigate the many inequities in fertility care,” the guideline said.
The guidance is intended for healthcare professionals, including physicians, embryologists, nurses and laboratory specialists, as well as policymakers, advocacy groups and funding agencies. It is designed to help countries adopt or update national infertility policies.
For patients, WHO advises that diagnostic tests be chosen based on clinical findings to ensure cost-effective care. Health workers are encouraged to listen to individuals and couples, respect their preferences and provide psychological or social support when needed.
Treatment decisions, the guideline adds, should weigh benefits, risks, patient values, feasibility and costs, with priority given to effective but least-expensive interventions.
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