Surveys expose impact of cost-of-living crisis on fertility patients

The rising cost of living and lack of affordable treatments are pricing fertility patients out of becoming parents, a national charity has said.

A survey of 200 fertility patients conducted by Fertility Network UK revealed how the cost-of-living crisis affected them. More than 95 percent of respondents had financial concerns relating to their fertility treatment. Additionally, 92 percent of the patients stated that the cost-of-living crisis intensified these concerns. The results were published during National Fertility Awareness Week, which took place from 30 October to 5 November 2023.

'We are appalled at the findings of our survey assessing the impact of the cost-of-living crisis on fertility patients and deeply concerned at the short and long-term impact on patients – physically, mentally and financially,' said Dr Catherine Hill, head of policy and public affairs for Fertility Network UK.

Half of patients (49 percent) said that financial pressures had resulted in suspending their treatments, with 17 percent of patients halting treatment indefinitely. To cover costs, 28 percent of patients were using their life savings, 16 percent paying via their credit cards and four percent remortgaging their homes. For those continuing treatment, 16 percent could not receive their preferred treatment, with five percent seeking cheaper treatment abroad. 

IVF treatment and testing is offered by the NHS to people with infertility, who are often met with long waiting lists and discrepancies in access related to their geographical location. Women under the age of 40 who are unable to get pregnant after two years of unprotected sex or after 12 unsuccessful cycles of artificial insemination should be offered three rounds of IVF, including transfer of all suitable embryos, the NICE fertility guideline states. Women aged 40-42 under the above criteria, sould be offered one round of IVF treatment provided they had not received previous fertility treatments, did not exhibit low ovarian reserve, and were made aware of the risks.

A separate survey carried out by the Evening Standard and Peanut, an app to help mothers meet each other, surveyed 400 people to get their views on fertility. Of this group, the majority (77 percent) of respondents were trying to conceive, and 91 percent said they thought that the NHS should offer fertility testing free to everyone before they 'were at the point of needing it'. A further three-quarters (77 percent) reported they did not have enough access to NHS-funded fertility treatment when they needed it. 

'Infertility is a disease and IVF is an essential medical treatment which has created families for millions across the world,' stated Professor Geeta Nargund, senior NHS Consultant and co-founder of the Ginsburg Women's Health Board. 

'I therefore strongly urge the Government to bring an end to the IVF postcode lottery, to ensure fair and equal access of treatment funding on the NHS.'