World Health Organisation (WHO) has released a report, which has found one in six people around the world experience infertility.
WHO has released a report that said one in six people around the world experience infertility. This report also says There is little difference in rates across high, middle and low-income countries.
The proportion of adults affected by infertility during their lives is 17.8% in high-income countries and 16.5% in low and middle-income ones.WHO Says this experience infertility, showing the urgent need to increase access to affordable, high-quality fertility care for those in need across all the nations
Infertility, According to the NHS is when a couple cannot conceive despite having unprotected sex regularly. WHO defines infertility as a failure to achieve a pregnancy after 12 months or more of regular unprotected sex.
“The report reveals an important truth: infertility does not discriminate,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General at WHO. “The sheer proportion of people affected show the need to widen access to fertility care and ensure this issue is no longer sidelined in health research and policy, so that safe, effective, and affordable ways to attain parenthood are available for those who seek it.”
Infertility is a disease of the male or female reproductive system, defined by the failure to achieve a pregnancy after 12 months or more of regular unprotected sexual intercourse. It can cause significant distress, stigma, and financial hardship, affecting people’s mental and psychosocial well-being.
Medical treatment for lack of ovulation or surgical procedures can be used to help women specifically, while Intrauterine insemination (IUI) or In-Vitro-Fertilization (IVF) are also available to assist couples with conception.
At present, in most countries, fertility treatments are largely funded out of pocket – often resulting in devastating financial costs. People in the poorest countries spend a greater proportion of their income on fertility care compared to people in wealthier countries. High costs frequently prevent people from accessing infertility treatments or alternatively, can catapult them into poverty as a consequence of seeking care.
WHO says in most countries, fertility treatment is funded by individuals rather than national health services, which can result in financial hardship for many. People who are seeking infertility treatment in poorer countries spend a greater proportion of their income on fertility care treatment in comparison to richer people, according to the report.
High medical costs are seen as a factor preventing people from accessing treatment and ultimately being unable to conceive when natural methods fail.
“The report reveals an important truth – infertility does not discriminate,” said the Director-General of WHO, Dr Tedros Adhanom.
He added: “The sheer proportion of people affected shows the need to widen access to fertility care and ensure this issue is no longer sidelined in health research and policy, so that safe, effective and affordable ways to attain parenthood are available for those who seek it.”
