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

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 transferred 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 undergoing IVF are more likely to suffer from infertility whereas single patients and female 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.

Ends

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 07771 981920.

Notes to editors

• This report provides preliminary UK family type statistics for IVF and DI treatment, storage, and donation.
• Reciprocal IVF (also known as 'shared motherhood' or 'shared parenthood') is where eggs are collected from one partner in a same-sex female or other LGBTQIA+ couple and fertilised with donor sperm. The resulting embryo is then transferred into the other partner’s womb, who carries the pregnancy.
• Since 2021, more female same-sex couples and single patients are turning to IVF instead of Donor Insemination (DI). This could be attributed to several factors, including higher success rates per cycle as higher birth rates per cycle, shorter time to pregnancy, lower multiple birth rates, lower overall donor sperm cost due to fewer cycles, and the possibility of storing embryos for future treatments.
• Regional and national data on NHS-funded cycles can be found on the HFEA dashboard. Data on the dashboard can be filtered by cycle type, funding type, patient age, family type, partner ethnicity, IVF or DI cycles and year. This information is available on the ‘Funding’ page. Our dashboard uses preliminary cycle data for 2020-2022. Data provided on the dashboard is not medical advice and patients should discuss treatment directly with their fertility clinic.
• Due to the HFEA recently launching a new data submission system for licensed clinics and migrating our fertility treatment and outcomes data to a new database, the 2020-22 treatment and pregnancy data and 2019-2022 birth outcome data have not yet been validated.
• Family type comparisons are limited by the data we hold on our national register. Classification of family types are based on sex and linked partner details; information on sexual orientation and gender are not available on the register.

About the HFEA

• The HFEA is the UK’s independent regulator of fertility treatment and research using human embryos.
• Set up in 1990 by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act, the HFEA is responsible for licensing, monitoring, and inspecting fertility clinics - and taking enforcement action where necessary - to ensure everyone accessing fertility treatment receives high quality care.
• The HFEA is an ‘arm’s length body’ of the Department for Health and Social Care, working independently from Government providing free, clear, and impartial information about fertility treatment, clinics and egg, sperm and embryo donation.
• Every year, around 12,000 people have treatment with the help of a donor.
• The HFEA collects and verifies data on all treatments that take place in UK licensed clinics which can support scientific developments and research and service planning and delivery.
• The HFEA is funded by licence fees, IVF treatment fees and a grant from UK central government. For more information, visit hfea.gov.uk.