 "WHO urges nations to make infertility services equitable and accessible")
Infertility, long treated as a private struggle and an expensive medical battle, is now firmly on the global public-health agenda. The World Health Organization (WHO) has released its first-ever global guideline on the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of infertility, a step aimed at making fertility care safer, fairer and within reach for millions who currently face stigma, delays or unaffordable treatment.
What is the scale of infertility and why does it matter?
The WHO defines infertility as the “failure to achieve pregnancy after 12 months or more of regular unprotected sexual intercourse.” It affects about one in six people of reproductive age, and an estimated 17.5 per cent of people experience infertility at some point in their lives, underscoring how widespread the issue is.
“Infertility is one of the most overlooked public health challenges of our time and a major equity issue globally,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “Millions face this journey alone — priced out of care, pushed toward unproven treatments, or forced to choose between their hopes of having children and their financial security,” he added.
Beyond the medical struggle, infertility carries a deep emotional and social burden. Individuals and couples often face stigma, isolation and anxiety. Women are particularly vulnerable, with 36 per cent of those experiencing infertility exposed to intimate partner violence annually.
The cost of fertility care adds significant pressure. In many settings, treatments are paid privately, and a single IVF cycle can exceed the average annual household income, pushing families into debt or stopping treatment altogether. ALSO READ | Infertility is not just her problem: Experts bust common myths for couples
How does WHO emphasise prevention?
Rather than focusing solely on advanced treatment, WHO stresses prevention and early education. The guideline recommends integrating fertility awareness into schools, primary health care and reproductive health services.
To reduce risk, WHO urges attention to factors such as untreated sexually transmitted infections (STIs), tobacco use and unhealthy lifestyle habits. Healthy changes, including balanced diet, regular exercise and quitting smoking, are encouraged for people planning or trying to conceive.
“The prevention and treatment of infertility must be grounded in gender equality and reproductive rights,” said Dr Pascale Allotey, Director of WHO’s Department of Sexual, Reproductive, Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health and Ageing, and the United Nations’ Special Programme on Human Reproduction (HRP). “Empowering people to make informed choices about their reproductive lives is a health imperative and a matter of social justice,” she added.
What does the guideline recommend for diagnosis and treatment?
The guideline outlines clear, evidence-based clinical pathways for diagnosing common causes of infertility in both men and women. It recommends starting with less invasive, resource-appropriate methods, such as fertility counselling and awareness of fertile periods, before progressing to interventions such as intrauterine insemination or IVF.
Importantly, the guideline does not limit fertility care to assisted reproduction techniques. It encourages broad inclusion of fertility counselling, reproductive education and clinical treatment within national health systems. "Infertility is not just an urban India phenomenon, even the couples in tier 2 and tier 3 regions also have been impacted. By including fertility treatments in AB-PMJAY more families can access necessary treatments, reducing the emotional and financial burden of infertility," shared Shobhit Agarwal, CEO, Nova IVF Fertility. "Addressing fertility issues as part of the health insurance framework supports population health management, ensuring a balanced demographic dividend, and can reduce the risks associated with declining fertility rates," he added. ALSO READ | Are your daily habits secretly lowering your fertility? Here's what to know
Why does WHO emphasise emotional support and equity?
Recognising the psychological burden associated with infertility, the guideline recommends that fertility care services include access to psychosocial support, helping individuals and couples cope with anxiety, depression or feelings of isolation.
WHO also calls on countries to embed fertility care into broader health-care financing and national health strategies to ensure equitable access and reduce out-of-pocket costs. "The recommendation of the WHO for mental and emotional support is a really important milestone, since anxiety, stigma, isolation are among the most common experiences of couples struggling with infertility. A holistic, empathetic approach, which provides medical, financial and psychosocial support at the same time, is indispensable if India aims to take the issue of decreasing fertility levels seriously, and at the same time, care for the reproductive health of its population in a responsible manner," said Agarwal.
What lies ahead?
As countries, including India, respond to growing demand for fertility services, the WHO guideline offers a crucial roadmap. By integrating fertility care into national systems and promoting stronger awareness and prevention, the guideline could help democratise access, reduce financial strain and normalise conversations around infertility.
“We encourage more countries to adapt this guideline, giving more people the possibility to access affordable, respectful and science-based care,” said Dr Tedros.
For individuals and couples trying to conceive, the message is clear: infertility should not be a private burden. It is a public-health challenge deserving affordable, compassionate and evidence-based care.
Also Read-
- Infertility is not just her problem: Experts bust common myths for couples
- Infertility is 'woman's issue': Why it's a myth, how men make up 50% cases
For more health updates, follow #HealthwithBS
This report is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.