HFEA FAMILY FORMATIONS IN FERTILITY TREATMENT 2022 REPORT

The HFEA’s ‘Family formations in fertility treatment report’ has found that most fertility treatments in the UK were had by opposite-sex couples. However, there has been a notable increase in the number of single patients and female same-sex couples having fertility treatment.

From 2012-2022, the number of patients having IVF or DI treatment increased from around 45,300 to 47,000 for opposite-sex couples, 1,300 to 3,300 for female same-sex couples and 1,400 to 4,800 for single patients. 

The data also shows that female same-sex couples and single patients had the highest success rates of any patient group, with a birth rate per embryo transferred of 40% or over, compared to 35% among opposite-sex couples aged 18-34 in 2022. 

Although many more female same-sex couples and single patients are having fertility treatment, both groups were less likely than opposite-sex couples to receive NHS funding.  About 16% of female same-sex couples and 18% of single patients had NHS funding for their first IVF treatment compared to 52% of opposite-sex couples aged 18-39.  

In response, Sharon Martin, interim chief executive of Fertility Network UK, said: ‘Fertility services are vital in supporting the development of different family structures and Fertility Network welcomes the increased diversity in family formation in the UK. However, it is disappointing that many female same-sex couples and single women still face an enormous financial hurdle to ‘prove’ their infertility before being able to access NHS-funded IVF. Back in the summer of 2022, the Women’s Health Strategy for England promised to remove non-clinical barriers to treatment and proposed the NHS pathway for female same-sex couples should start with 6 NHS-funded IUI cycles, followed by NHS-funded IVF, if needed. This has not yet happened, leaving female same-sex couples and single women who want to become parents having to pay, if they are able to, for their own medical treatment. This should not be happening.’

View the full report on the HFEA website here

FNUK feature in the media commenting on the HFEA Family Formation report:

More single women and female couples having IVF – BBC News

IVF: Single women on why they had babies alone through sperm donors – BBC News

Fertility treatment is two-tier system – and single women are paying the price | The Independent