Sarah Norcross, Director of PET, said:
The 16% drop in the number of IVF cycles funded by the NHS between 2019 and 2021 is an extremely worrying trend. While some of this could be attributed to the pandemic, it is unlikely that all of it can.
The fact that most people under 35 (63%) are having to fund their own fertility treatment, during a cost-of-living crisis and when mortgage rates are expected to soar, means that many will not be able to afford to have the chance of having a family.
The dramatic rise in the number of egg freezing cycles could be linked to the pandemic. Restrictions on socialising may have prompted some women to think more about their fertile window, and decide to try to increase their reproductive choices.