More single patients and female same-sex couples are having fertility treatment but disparities in access remain, says regulator.

Report from the Human Fertilisation & Embryology Authority (HFEA) shows:

• Female same-sex couples had the highest birth rate among all family types
• Opposite-sex couples were three times as likely to receive NHS funding than single patients and female same-sex couples.
• One in six of all IVF and DI treatments were had by female same-sex couples or single patients.

The HFEA’s ‘Family formations in fertility treatment report’ has found that most fertility treatments in the UK were had by opposite-sex couples. However, there has been a notable increase in the number of single patients and female same-sex couples having fertility treatment.

From 2012-2022, the number of patients having IVF or DI treatment increased from around 45,300 to 47,000 for opposite-sex couples, 1,300 to 3,300 for female same-sex couples and 1,400 to 4,800 for single patients.

The data also shows that female same-sex couples and single patients had the highest success rates of any patient group, with a birth rate per embryo transfer of 40% or over, compared to 35% among opposite-sex couples aged 18-34 in 2022. The lower birth rates among opposite-sex couples are likely due to reasons for having IVF, as opposite-sex couples are likely using fertility treatment due to infertility whereas single patients and same-sex couples are primarily having IVF for other reasons.

Today’s report found the age at starting treatment varied in each group. Single patients were the oldest group, though their average age when starting IVF treatment decreased the most, from almost 38 years old (37.9) to just over 36 years old (36.4) – the youngest since data collection began in 2008. The decrease in age at first IVF treatment for single patients may have been influenced by factors such as reduction in social stigma and the COVID-19 pandemic (where decision-making may have been impacted). In contrast, opposite-sex couples are now starting treatment on average at 35 years old.

From 2018-2022, egg freezing was highest among single patients, making up 89% of all egg freezing cycles. However, more opposite-sex couples thawed eggs for treatment (85%), followed by single patients (13%) and female same-sex couples (2%).   

Although many more female same-sex couples and single patients are having fertility treatment, both groups were less likely than opposite-sex couples to receive NHS funding.  About 16% of female same-sex couples and 18% of single patients had NHS funding for their first IVF treatment compared to 52% of opposite-sex couples aged 18-39. The level of funding varies across the UK with the highest levels in Scotland.  

Julia Chain, Chair of the HFEA said:

“In the UK, different family groups can access a wide range of reproductive options when starting their fertility journey. While the number of female same-sex couples and single patients having fertility treatment continues to rise, we continue to see lower rates of NHS-funded treatment.

“While the HFEA does not regulate funding, we encourage those who commission fertility services to review their eligibility criteria and consider whether these have an adverse impact on access to treatment and we hope that this report will generate further discussion.

“We also encourage healthcare providers to make sure the information they provide represents the diversity of families and patients accessing treatment, so that everyone can receive an inclusive experience.

“This is the first time we have published data on who is having surrogacy treatment. Although the HFEA has a limited role in surrogacy arrangements and the number of surrogacy cycles is comparatively small, accounting for less than one per cent of IVF treatments in 2022, we are able to provide a snapshot of the different family types undergoing surrogacy.”

The ‘Family formations in fertility treatment 2022’ report also shows:

• Most in vitro fertilisation (IVF) treatments in 2022 were among opposite-sex couples (89%). However, the proportion of treatments among female same-sex couples and single patients more than doubled from 2012 to 2022, from 2% to 4% and 2% to 6%, respectively.
• Average multiple birth rates decreased across all family types, decreasing overall from 12-13% in 2013-17 to 5-6% in 2018-2022, with little difference between family types.
• Scotland had the highest level of first NHS-funded IVF for patients aged 18-39, across all family types, with 82% of opposite-sex couples funded, compared to 40% and 41% funded among female same-sex couples and single patients respectively in 2021-22.
• Overall, surrogacy cycles accounted for 0.4% of all IVF treatments in 2022, with the number of surrogacy patients increasing from 130 in 2012 to 230 in 2022.
• In 2022, opposite-sex couples made up at least 39% of surrogacy cycles, with other family types making up the other 61%. This is the first year this data has been available.

For more information or for interviews with a HFEA spokesperson, please contact press.office@hfea.gov.uk or call 020 7291 8226.

For out of hours requests, please call the duty press officer on 07771981920.