1 in 6 People Globally Affected by Infertility

Infertility is on the rise. A new report shows that one in six are now impacted by fertility issues. Infertility is a growing global health crisis, which does not discriminate and can affect anyone.

1 in 6 People Globally Affected by Infertility: World Health Organization

Infertility is defined by World Health Organization (WHO) as the inability to conceive after a year or longer of unprotected sexual intercourse. 

Presently, most countries do not cover fertility treatments, and most patients are funding any and all expenses, out of pocket – often resulting in devastating financial costs.

Infertility is a disease that can affect an individual and/or couple on multiple levels, including emotionally, mentally, financially, psychologically. There is still so much stigma associated with infertility, and many suffer in silence.

The new report shows that, "Around 17.5% of the adult population – roughly 1 in 6 worldwide – experience infertility, showing the urgent need to increase access to affordable, high-quality fertility care for those in need. Despite the magnitude of the issue, solutions for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of infertility – including assisted reproductive technology such as in vitro fertilization (IVF) – remain underfunded and inaccessible to many due to high costs, social stigma and limited availability." WHO

“In our analysis, the global prevalence of lifetime infertility was 17.5%, translating into 1 out of every 6 people experiencing it in their lifetime,” Dr. Gitau Mburu, a scientist of fertility research at WHO.

“Lifetime prevalence of infertility does not differ by income classification of countries,” he said. “Lifetime prevalence was 17.8% in high-income countries and 16.5% in low- and middle-income countries, which, again, was not a substantial or significant difference.”

The report does show there are differences in how much money people are spending on fertility treatments, along with how accessible treatments are.

"People in the poorest countries were found to spend a significantly larger proportion of their income on a single cycle of IVF or on fertility care compared with wealthier countries," Mburu said, "exemplifying that this is an area with high-level risk of inequality in access to health care."

The WHO report, described as the "first of its kind in a decade" includes an analysis of infertility data from 1990 through 2021. The data came from 133 previously published studies on infertility prevalence.

"The purpose of this analysis was to generate updated data on the global and regional estimates of infertility prevalence by analyzing all available data from different countries, making sure that we take into account different study approaches," Mburu said.

The number impacted by infertility was previously 1 in 8. With infertility on the rise, so much work still needs to be done for fertility patients. Everyone should have access to affordable care. Everyone should have access to high-quality care. Everyone should have access to support. 

Support is crucial for anyone experiencing fertility issues. Support can help someone process their grief, emotions, and experiences around what they’re going through, and feel less alone.

If you or someone you know is experiencing fertility issues, please reach out for support. There are online communities, support groups, and others who understand how devastating this journey is. You are not alone.

Reference:

WHO: 1 in 6 people globally affected by infertility: WHO

Medical Disclaimer:

The information provided in this blog is intended for general informational purposes only and should not be considered as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your healthcare provider or qualified medical professional with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read in this blog.