A recent report by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) reveals a significant increase in the number of single women and female couples undergoing fertility treatments, including in-vitro fertilization (IVF) and artificial insemination, over the past decade. Between 2012 and 2022, the number of single women accessing fertility treatment surged from 1,400 to 4,800, while treatments for female couples doubled to 3,300. Despite this growth, heterosexual couples still account for nearly 90% of all IVF procedures.
However, advocacy groups have highlighted the financial barriers faced by many single women and female couples. Due to current policies, these groups often need to prove infertility before qualifying for NHS-funded IVF, which can lead to significant out-of-pocket expenses. The Fertility Network UK and other advocacy organizations are calling for urgent reforms to ensure equal access to fertility services for all, regardless of relationship status.
Thorogood, founder of LGBT Mummies, a group supporting LGBTQ+ prospective parents, emphasized the need for equitable access to fertility treatment. While the overall use of fertility treatments has grown, with 47,000 IVF or donor insemination (DI) treatments performed for heterosexual couples in 2022 compared to 45,300 in 2012, single women and female couples now account for one in six of all treatments. This shift underscores the evolving demographic of those seeking reproductive assistance.
The report also noted a concerning decline in NHS-funded IVF cycles, which now represent only 27% of treatments, down from 40% a decade ago. With fewer treatments being publicly funded, many individuals and couples are left to cover the high costs privately, further exacerbating disparities in access to care.
As the demand for fertility treatment grows, there is increasing pressure on policymakers to address these financial and policy gaps and ensure that all individuals, regardless of their relationship status, can access affordable, high-quality reproductive healthcare.
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