UK Fertility Watchdog Warns of Unproven Add-Ons in IVF Treatments

Three-quarters of fertility patients use costly, unproven treatments, with many lacking adequate information on their effectiveness or risks.

The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) reports that 73% of UK fertility patients use unproven add-on treatments, such as supplements, acupuncture, and PGT-A, despite limited evidence of effectiveness.
Only 52% of patients were informed about the effectiveness of these treatments, and just 37% were told about associated risks, raising transparency concerns.
NHS-funded fertility patients face longer wait times compared to private patients, with 16% waiting over two years for treatment, highlighting systemic inequities.
The number of NHS-funded treatment cycles has fallen, accounting for only 27% of all cycles in 2022, further restricting access to affordable care.
Over half of patients using donor sperm sourced it internationally, citing greater choice and access to detailed donor information as key factors.