One in six people affected by infertility globally, says WHO

A report from the World Health Organisation (WHO) has found one in six people around the world experience infertility.

There also appears to be little difference in rates across high, middle and low-income countries.

The proportion of adults affected by infertility during their lives is 17.8% in high-income countries and 16.5% in low and middle-income ones.

WHO defines infertility as a failure to achieve a pregnancy after 12 months or more of regular unprotected sex.

WHO’s director-general, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said in a statement on Monday that the report showed “infertility does not discriminate.”

“The sheer proportion of people affected show the need to widen access to fertility care and ensure this issue is no longer sidelined in health research and policy, so that safe, effective, and affordable ways to attain parenthood are available for those who seek it,” he said.

The global health agency says in most countries, fertility treatment is funded by individuals rather than national health services, which can result in financial hardship for many.

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Medical treatment for lack of ovulation or surgical procedures can be used to help women specifically, while intrauterine insemination (IUI) or in vitro fertilisation (IVF) are also available to assist couples with conception.

People in poorer countries spend a greater proportion of their income on fertility care compared to richer people, according to the report.

WHO is calling for better access to fertility care across all nations.