HFEA - Fertility, Infertility, IVF, Embryo research - Human Fertilisation & Embryology Authority

two women in a clinic talking about IVF and infertility

The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority is the UK's independent regulator overseeing the use of gametes and embryos in fertility treatment and research.

The HFEA licenses fertility clinics and centres carrying out in vitro fertilisation (IVF), other assisted conception procedures and human embryo research.

For patients & their supporters

Choose a fertility clinic

Compare and contrast fertility clinics based on your needs.

Advanced search

Find out the entire fertility process, step by step, from how to get started to what will happen at the fertility clinic.

Research what infertility is and see what different treatment options are available.

Key areas:

For donor-conceived people & their parents

If you are donor conceived, you are entitled to approach the HFEA to find information about where you came from and if you have any siblings also conceived by donation.

Key areas:

..more for donor-conceived people & their parents

For donors

People donate for many different reasons, including those who already have children of their own and want others to be able to experience the joy of being a parent.

Find out what you should be considering before donating sperm, eggs or embryos and read about how to start the process.

Key areas:

...more about donating

For clinic staff & other professionals

The latest guidance, HFEA forms and procedures for staff members of HFEA licensed clinics. Download the Code of Practice and the latest inspection reports. Logon to read the latest Alerts.

Key areas:

...more for clinic staff

For media & researchers

HFEA press releases and news for those interested in keeping up with what’s going on in the fertility sector.

Useful background information and statistics on the HFEA for anybody researching fertility and the HFEA.

Key areas:

...more for media & researchers

New 'Choose a fertility clinic' - now live

Our new ‘Choose a Fertility Clinic’ service is designed to help patients, prospective patients and donors find a clinic in the UK that's right for them.

It's a free online service and easily accessible.

Find out more about 'Choose a Fertility Clinic'

...search for a clinic

Latest from the HFEA

2.11.09: The HFEA have issued a statement responding to reports over the weekend about the London Women's Clinic....read the statement
14.10.09: The HFEA’s Executive Licensing Panel met for the first time today. The panel forms part of our new, streamlined licensing arrangements....find out more about the Panel
6.10.09: Three new members have been appointed to the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority, the independent regulator for fertility treatment and embryo research....read the press release

Understanding fertility clinic success rates

person drawing a graph What do clinic success rates really mean? Are they that different between clinics?

...read about clinic success rates

1 October 2009

The new Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act came into effect on 1 October.

...find out what this means for your clinic

Parenthood laws

The law on legal parenthood following fertility treatment
changed on 6th April 2009.

The change affects both fertility treatment patients and clinics.

...read more about the law change

Screening patients before fertility treatment

Before the storage of sperm, eggs or embryos, fertility clinics carry out a number of screening tests. Find out what they test for and who needs to be screened:

...more about patient screening

Code of Practice now online

Get up to date information from the 8th Code of Practice quickly with easy
navigation and an improved search.

...read the 8th Code of Practice

Support is absolutely vital...infertility treatment can be such a solitary experience.

Caroline, 35, and her husband Andrew have unexplained infertility.

...read Caroline's story