Most fertility patients offered treatments that ‘don't work'
Almost three quarters of fertility patients are being offered unnecessary add-on treatments, nearly all of which 'are not proven to increase the chance of having a baby', the fertility regulator has said.
The report by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) into the experiences of 1,500 patients in the UK also found that 51 per cent of those seeking donor sperm received it from overseas.
Most patients cited increased choice and more information about the donor as the reasons why they chose foreign sperm.
The HFEA said that in the UK a donor's sperm can only be used to create up to 10 families, but the 10-family limit does not apply abroad.
The report also highlighted long waits for some patients – particularly those seeking NHS care.
Around a quarter of patients had used donor eggs, sperm or embryos in treatment.
Of the 73 per cent who were offered 'add-on treatments', only 52 per cent had the effectiveness explained to them, while 37 per cent were told about the risks.
The report found add-on treatments such as the use of endometrial scratching – when the lining of the womb is scratched before an embryo is implanted – had decreased last year, but was still being offered.
It also found the use of a so-called 'emerging technology' known as pre-implantation genetic testing for aneuploidy – the checking of embryos for abnormalities in the number of chromosomes – increased to 13 per cent in 2024, even though the HFEA said there is 'insufficient evidence' of its effectiveness at improving the chance of pregnancy.
Julia Chain, chairman of the HFEA, said: 'It's disappointing to see a significant number of patients are still using add-ons and emerging technologies, and particularly disappointing that only half of patients had the effectiveness explained to them, let alone the risks.
'We regularly remind clinics that, according to our Code of Practice, they must give patients a clear idea of what any treatment add-on involves, how likely it is to increase their chance of a successful pregnancy, cost, risks, and link to our public ratings system.
'We will continue to remind clinics about improving clarity and communication for patients.'
The report also found that most patients began treatment seven months to a year after first seeing their GP about their fertility problems. But 16 per cent of patients waited over two years.
NHS-funded patients reported longer wait times in starting treatment compared to those who paid privately.
Some 53 per cent of private patients started treatment within a year compared to 35 per cent of NHS patients.
The regulator said that its data shows that the number of NHS-funded treatment cycles is falling, and stood at just 27 per cent in 2022.
Ms Chain said the regulator was also 'concerned that NHS-funded patients are waiting longer than self-funded patients to start fertility treatment'.
'The delays faced by NHS patients highlight ongoing issues relating to the provision of specialist care for women,' she said.
'As part of our response to the Government's 10-year plan, we want to see a much shorter time for patients to begin fertility treatment once they have received advice or a referral from their GP.'
A Department of Health spokesman said: 'It is unacceptable fertility patients are being offered unnecessary treatments that will not help them in their goal of becoming parents.
'We are working to improve access to NHS fertility services for all who need it.
'We are also currently considering advice from the HFEA about priorities for law reform covering their regulatory powers, including their potential role in digital clinics.'
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