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As one of the most prevalent reproductive health challenges in the UK, infertility affects approximately 1 in 7 couples, highlighting a significant proportion of the population who are navigating this deeply personal issue.
Impacting both men and women, infertility encompasses a range of factors which can influence physical health, mental wellbeing, relationships, and family dynamics.
To delve deeper into this topic, we have conducted a comprehensive survey exclusively speaking to individuals and couples who have experienced or are currently facing fertility challenges. By sharing their experiences, we want to shed light on the need for more awareness, access to treatment, and the role of lifestyle factors and societal attitudes in shaping their journeys.
In recognition of the urgent need for greater understanding and support, our Infertility Awareness Report surveyed 429 participants across the UK who are currently experiencing or have experienced fertility struggles.
Our survey highlights the emotional impact of infertility, including the impact on self-perception, societal pressures, and financial implications. The survey also explores how ingrained gender roles influence perceptions and experiences of infertility.
Key findings
- Half (51%) of people struggling to conceive have felt dismissed by medical professionals
- Over 1 in 4 (29%) have felt overlooked when seeking fertility treatments
- Nearly 3 in 4 (71%) people battling infertility are burdened with feelings of failure
- Women are disproportionately burdened by societal pressures to conceive, with over half (51%) feeling that there is more pressure on them than their partner during the conception process
- Almost 2 in 5 (38%) have been forced to use their life savings in the pursuit of having a child
- The rising cost of living has pushed back parenthood for over a fifth (22%) of couples struggling to conceive
- The high cost of fertility treatments forces 35% of couples to consider going abroad for potentially less-regulated care. However, just 1 in 10 believe that foreign clinics have a higher success rate
- Over 1 in 4 (27%) women have been asked by their manager about their plans to have children; a glaring disparity when compared to just 3% of men
But first, what is infertility?
Infertility, which is sometimes referred to as ‘subfertility’ is a medical condition characterised by the inability to conceive a child following 12 months during which the couple has engaged in regular, unprotected sexual intercourse. Infertility can affect anyone, regardless of gender and refers to a range of symptoms that can prevent pregnancy, including issues with ovulation, sperm production and the overall health of reproductive organs.
There are two different types of infertility: primary and secondary. Infertility is classed as primary when the couple has never been able to conceive. Meanwhile, secondary infertility is when a couple has previously been able to conceive, but is now unable to do so.
Attitudes towards infertility within the medical landscape
A common theme throughout our survey has indicated that the treatment of infertility within the UK’s healthcare system presents a challenging landscape for those seeking help. According to our data, 71% of individuals reported having to proactively seek out their own fertility treatments, which indicates a potential gap in accessible, proactive healthcare support.
- Of those surveyed, 1 in 2 (51%) have felt dismissed by medical professionals when discussing fertility struggles, while only 33% feel genuinely listened to.
- This, combined with the findings that 2 in 5 (44%) have felt pressure during the conception process highlights the need for more understanding within the healthcare system for those experiencing infertility.
While 34% of respondents said that they feel comfortable discussing their fertility issues with their GP, a substantial 1 in 5 (22%) feel uncomfortable, presenting a significant barrier to effective patient-doctor communication. Furthermore, over 1 in 4 (29%) respondents have felt overlooked when seeking fertility treatments.
Financial impact: cost of living
The financial implications of infertility treatments are placing significant pressure on individuals and couples within the UK with a substantial 38% of people using their life savings trying to conceive, according to the results of our survey.
- 1 in 4 (25%) have paid for fertility treatments and investigations using a credit card
- 1 in 5 (22%) have delayed trying for a baby due to cost of living pressures
The high cost of infertility has driven 28% of people to spend over £10,000 on both treatments and investigative procedures, and a staggering 35% of people struggling with infertility have even considered seeking fertility treatment abroad due to the prospect of lower costs. Despite this, of those seeking fertility treatment in a foreign country, only 14% believe that clinics abroad have higher success rates.
Infertility and the workplace
Following findings throughout our Workplace Infertility Stigma Survey conducted in 2023, we have assessed updated statistics regarding how infertility currently affects those in the workplace.
More often than not, there are no policies within workplaces that focus specifically on infertility, or fertility-related treatments which can include invasive procedures, which means that many people struggling with infertility can find themselves in the position of choosing between their job and trying for a baby.
- Our data reveals that nearly half (47%) of people feel uncomfortable asking for time off for fertility-related appointments
- While 27% of people do feel comfortable speaking to their manager about their fertility struggles, a larger percentage of 43% do not feel comfortable doing the same
- Women (27%) are nearly 10 times more likely to be asked by their manager about their plans to have children than men (3%)
CIPD research has shown that only a quarter of employers currently have at least one policy in place regarding fertility treatments, while 40% do not have a formal policy, and have no plans to introduce one.
Our study revealed that 1 in 5 (22%) people have reduced their hours to undergo fertility-related treatments, and a further 14% waited until they were in a senior role before considering their fertility journey to ensure they were financially able. These results demonstrate that more must be done in this area to further support those experiencing infertility.
The impact of infertility on mental health
The mental health impact of infertility is a key element which is often overlooked. When asked, our community revealed that 71% had felt like ‘failures’ due to their fertility struggles, with 1 in 2 (50%) also feeling ‘pitied’ for their infertility.
- While 40% of people have felt supported during their journey, 36% have felt pressured by friends and family members while trying to conceive
- Nearly 8 in 10 (78%) people have experienced feelings of hopelessness, with 49% also feeling ashamed of their infertility
- 31% of people believe that other people think ‘less’ of them due to their fertility struggles
The need for mental health considerations within fertility support is paramount. Approximately 34% of people experiencing fertility problems have sought out professional help for their mental health when trying to conceive.
The infertility awareness gender gap
The perception of infertility is often labelled as a ‘women’s issue’. However, data suggests that while a third of infertility results from women’s challenges, an additional third stems from infertility within men.
An estimated 7% of all men are impacted by infertility. With around half of all male infertility cases, the cause is unexplained. According to reports, 10-15% of infertile men have a complete lack of sperm.
Despite this, our survey has found that 51% of women feel that there has been more pressure on them than their partner during the conception process.
IVF postcode lottery: where in the UK feel most affected?
The IVF postcode lottery highlights the unequal access to in vitro fertilisation (IVF) treatment across different areas in the UK. This discrepancy comes down to IVF availability and funding, which are decided on by local Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) or similar bodies, resulting in varying criteria and services from region to region.
We asked our community whether they felt that the IVF ‘postcode lottery’ has unfairly impacted them. A closer look at each region’s results found that those in Northern Ireland feel the most affected. Patients suffering from infertility in Northern Ireland are currently limited to one IVF cycle on the NHS. Further survey data found that:
- Patients from Northern Ireland have felt the most affected, with 100% of respondents believing that the IVF postcode lottery had unfairly impacted them
- This was followed by the East Midlands, with 60% of respondents feeling unfairly impacted
- Wales placed third with 52% feeling that this had impacted their fertility journey
The IVF postcode lottery highlights a critical issue within the UK’s healthcare system, where geographical location can have a significant impact on access to fertility treatments.
Accessibility to fertility treatments: where in the UK are waiting the longest?
Across the UK, average wait times within each area for assisted conception methods such as IVF, IUI and egg and sperm donation from referral to procedure vary significantly.
- Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland all had the longest wait times for assisted conception procedures, with an average waiting time of 1-2 years
- In Wales, the average wait time for fertility-related procedures is 11-20 weeks – the shortest wait time across the UK
- Areas with an average wait time of 21-30 weeks include the North West, South East, Yorkshire & the Humber, South West, and London
- Those in the East Midlands are waiting an average of 31-40 weeks, while people in the North East will wait between 41-52 weeks
This highlights that there are large discrepancies throughout the country regarding the time it takes to access assisted conception procedures, further confirming that where you live will have an impact on both the treatments available, and the time patients can expect to wait.
Methodology
Based on answers from 429 respondents from Fertility Family’s database of subscribers. Data was collected in May 2024.
