The World Health Organization (WHO) today issued its first-ever guidelines on infertility, calling this problem a neglected challenge in public health and urging for affordable treatment to be included in national health systems.
The agency estimates that infertility affects more than one in six people of reproductive age at some point in their lives, yet access to healthcare is severely limited and varies greatly from country to country.
The WHO noted that the costs of treatment are often borne by the person with infertility, leading to significant financial expenses. In some countries, the cost of a single cycle of in vitro fertilization (IVF) can be twice the average annual household income.
"Infertility is one of the most neglected public health challenges of our time, and it's a major issue regarding equity around the world," said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus in a statement.
He added that millions of men and women are facing this condition alone, forced to choose between having children and financial security, or being compelled to choose cheaper, but unproven, treatment options.
According to the WHO's definition, infertility is the inability to achieve a pregnancy after 12 months or more of regular unprotected sexual intercourse.
The organization stated that treatment is not limited to IVF but includes all the steps that primary healthcare workers can take to help couples or individuals have a child, including guidance on lifestyle changes like quitting smoking.
The guidelines include 40 recommendations for countries aimed at making fertility care safer, fairer, and more affordable for everyone.
In addition, the WHO said it is also important to improve efforts to educate people about factors affecting fertility, such as age, and to provide support to those facing social stigma and pressures from treatment.
