The World Health Organisation (WHO) has released its first global guideline on infertility, aiming to make fertility care safer, more affordable, and accessible to all. According to the WHO, one in six people of reproductive age worldwide are affected by infertility, with limited access to tests and treatments that are often financially devastating.
WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus emphasized that infertility is a major public health challenge and equity issue globally, with millions of people facing significant barriers to care. The guideline encourages countries to integrate fertility care into their national health systems, ensuring that services are accessible, clinically sound, and respectful of patient preferences.
The guideline contains 40 recommendations covering prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and system-wide implementation. Key principles include providing low-cost fertility information, promoting lifestyle advice, and offering psychological support. The WHO also stresses the importance of weighing risks, benefits, and costs before choosing treatments and tracking outcomes after care.
The recommendations cover various aspects of infertility care, including prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of female- and male-factor infertility, as well as unexplained infertility. The guideline advises on the use of cost-effective diagnostic tests, lifestyle advice, and evidence-based treatments.
The WHO emphasizes that infertility has profound psychosocial impacts, including distress, stigma, and financial hardship. The guideline calls for ongoing psychosocial support for people affected and highlights the need for a rights-based approach to fertility care.
Dr Pascale Allotey, WHO’s Director of Sexual and Reproductive Health, noted that empowering people to make informed choices about their reproductive lives is a health imperative and a matter of social justice. The guideline is a crucial step towards addressing the significant gaps in fertility care worldwide, and its implementation is expected to improve access to safe, effective, and respectful fertility services.
The WHO encourages countries to adapt the guideline based on local epidemiology, health system capacity, and cultural context. The organisation will continue to monitor and evaluate the implementation of the guideline, with future updates expected to cover additional risk factors, emerging technologies, and other key areas. By addressing the complex issue of infertility, the WHO aims to promote reproductive health, well-being, and human rights for all.
