New Guidelines for Fertility Clinics
Fertility clinics, including both NHS and private clinics, have been advised to stop offering unproven treatments that do not help people have children. The guidelines, designed by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice), recommend against several popular "add-ons" that can give false hope and lead to unnecessary procedures.
Unproven Treatments
These add-ons include endometrial scratch, a procedure where the lining of the womb is "scratched" with a small sterile plastic tube before IVF, and hysteroscopy, where a fine telescope-like instrument is used to visualize the womb as a pre-treatment to improve IVF results. Experts warn that these treatments can be harmful and have not been proven to be effective.
Patient Information
The guidelines emphasize the importance of providing patients with accurate information about treatments, including the likelihood of success, risks, and benefits. Patients should be fully informed about the treatments they are receiving, and clinics should focus on proven treatments rather than offering unproven add-ons.
Fertility Preservation Services
The guidelines also recommend that fertility preservation services, such as freezing eggs, should be offered to people with diseases or treatments that can affect their fertility. This includes women with severe recurring endometriosis, people with an operation that can affect their reproductive organs, and people with genetic or metabolic diseases that can affect their chances of having a baby.
IVF Treatment
The updated guidelines also review who should be offered IVF treatment. Nice’s Committee found that three full IVF cycles can give couples a good chance of having a baby and that treatment is a good value for the NHS. The guidelines recommend:
- Three full IVF cycles for women under 40 who have fertility problems and meet certain criteria
- One full IVF cycle for women between the ages of 40 and 41 who have fertility problems and meet certain criteria
Implementation
While Nice provides recommendations, financing decisions are made by local organizations called integrated care boards. The Chief Medical Officer from Nice notes that the NHS is facing significant financial challenges, and integrated care board members must weigh up local priorities when determining how many IVF cycles to fund.
Consultation and Final Recommendations
The draft guidelines are open to public consultation until October 21st, and the final recommendations will be published in 2026. The guidelines apply to England, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
