Wellbeing
Ms. Tori O. ·
4 min read
The page presents the fertility treatments regulated or discussed by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority, alongside treatment risks, donor conception, fertility preservation, genetic testing, treatment abroad and recent medicines guidance.
Page introduction
There are several types of fertility treatment, ranging from fertility medicines and embryo testing to surgical sperm retrieval and IVF. The HFEA advises patients to understand the available options, risks, use of donated eggs, sperm or embryos, and the implications of travelling abroad for treatment.
Treatment options
Intrauterine insemination — IUI
IUI, sometimes called artificial insemination, involves introducing prepared sperm directly into the uterus. It is commonly used by single women and female couples using donor sperm, although it may also be appropriate for some heterosexual couples.
Read about intrauterine insemination
In vitro fertilisation — IVF
IVF involves collecting eggs and fertilising them with sperm outside the body before transferring an embryo into the uterus. It is suitable for a wide range of fertility problems and is one of the most frequently used assisted-conception treatments.
Intracytoplasmic sperm injection — ICSI
ICSI involves injecting an individual sperm directly into an egg. The page describes it as a commonly used treatment where infertility is related to sperm quality, movement or quantity.
Fertility drugs
Some ovulation or fertility problems caused by hormonal imbalances, including certain presentations of polycystic ovary syndrome, may be treated with medication without progressing immediately to IUI or IVF.
Alternative IVF options
IVF may sometimes be performed with less medication or without conventional ovarian stimulation. Options discussed include:
Natural-cycle IVF
Mild-stimulation IVF
In vitro maturation, or IVM
These approaches may be considered where a person cannot or does not wish to take standard fertility medicines.
Surgical sperm extraction
Where sperm are absent from semen or present in extremely low numbers, sperm may sometimes be retrieved surgically for use in treatment.
Read about surgical sperm extraction
Fertility-related surgery
Surgery may be considered for conditions affecting fertility. Examples listed include blocked fallopian tubes, endometriosis, fibroids and previous vasectomy.
Infertility surgery for women
Surrogacy
Surrogacy may be used by male same-sex couples, people who cannot safely carry a pregnancy, and some people who have experienced repeated miscarriage or unsuccessful fertility-treatment cycles.
These descriptions appear under the page’s main “Treatment options” section.
Travel history
A fertility clinic may ask about recent or intended travel, particularly where a patient has visited a country affected by an infectious-disease outbreak. Patients are advised to tell their clinic about plans to travel while receiving treatment.
Other matters to consider
Fertility treatment abroad
The page acknowledges that some people seek treatment outside the UK. It advises patients to understand the regulatory, clinical and practical risks and to investigate overseas clinics carefully.
Read about fertility treatment abroad
Risks of fertility treatment
Potential effects range from mild discomfort to serious complications. Patients should understand the warning signs associated with treatment and the risks affecting pregnancy.
Read about fertility-treatment risks
Using donated eggs, sperm or embryos
Donor conception may be required where a patient cannot use their own eggs or sperm, or where treatment is being undertaken by some single people or same-sex couples.
Using donated eggs, sperm or embryos
Treatment add-ons
Clinics may offer additional procedures alongside IVF or ICSI, including time-lapse imaging and reproductive-immunology interventions. The HFEA warns that some add-ons have limited evidence of benefit and that some may expose patients to harm.
HFEA treatment add-ons and evidence ratings
Medicines guidance shown on the page
GLP-1 medicines
The page reproduces an MHRA warning concerning GLP-1 medicines used for diabetes or weight management, including Ozempic, Mounjaro, Wegovy, Saxenda and Victoza.
Its principal points are:
GLP-1 medicines should not be used during pregnancy, while trying to become pregnant or while breastfeeding.
People who could become pregnant should use effective contraception.
Depending on the medicine, contraception may need to continue for up to two months after treatment stops.
People using Mounjaro who are overweight are advised to use a non-oral contraceptive method in addition to the oral contraceptive pill because the medicine may affect pill absorption or effectiveness.
Medication-specific advice should be discussed with a healthcare professional and checked against the relevant patient information leaflet.
Related links:
Paracetamol during pregnancy
The page states that the MHRA continues to regard paracetamol as safe during pregnancy when appropriately used and reports that there is no evidence that taking it during pregnancy causes autism in children.
Related links:
The GLP-1 and paracetamol notices appear as additional safety updates rather than fertility treatments themselves.
Fertility preservation
Fertility preservation involves freezing eggs, sperm, embryos or reproductive tissue so they may potentially be used to have a biological child in the future.
Read about fertility preservation
Embryo testing and inherited disease
Embryo testing and related treatments may be available where a serious inherited condition exists in a family and prospective parents want to reduce the likelihood of passing it to a child.