A report from the fertility regulator shows that the number of single women and female couples undergoing IVF or artificial insemination has risen over the past decade in the UK. The number of single women having treatment, including in-vitro fertilization (IVF), has increased from 1,400 in 2012 to 4,800 in 2022 while the number of female couples treated has doubled to 3,300 over the same period. However, heterosexual couples still account for nearly 90% of all IVF treatments.
The Human and Fertilisation Embryology Authority report shows that one in six of all private and NHS fertility treatments in the UK is now accessed by single women and female same-sex couples. Growing numbers of different family groups are seeking fertility treatment. Heterosexual couples had 47,000 IVF or donor insemination (DI) treatments in 2022, up from 45,300 in 2012.
According to a fertility charity, many female couples and single women still faced enormous financial hurdles to prove their infertility before being able to access NHS-funded IVF. Laura-Rose and her female partner have spent £50-60,000 on having their four children over the past 13 years. She set up LGBT Mummies, an organisation which gives advice to people on becoming parents and campaigns for equal access to fertility treatment. Fertility treatment is expensive and for several reasons is still being chosen by increasing numbers of women and couples.
The report highlights that IVF is “one of the most invasive and expensive treatments per cycle”. It also shows that NHS funding for fertility treatment continues to fall. It now pays for just 27% of IVF cycles, down from 40% in 2012. Among 18-39 year olds having their first treatment, heterosexual couples receive 52% of NHS-funded cycles, with female couples accounting for 16% and single women 18% – both a slight rise.
Currently, NHS funding for fertility treatment depends on the local integrated-care board’s criteria, which varies widely from location to location with no national oversight. Stonewall advocates for the rights of LGBTQ+ people and said that urgent changes need to happen so everyone who wants children has the same access to services
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