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.

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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.

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For donor-conceived people & their parents

© Yuri Arcurs - Fotolia.comThousands of people in the UK have been born with the help of donated eggs, sperm or embryos.

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.

..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.

...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.

 

...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.

...more for media & researchers

Latest from the HFEA

11.5.12
The HFEA have released a statement about a research study suggesting a link between ICSI treatment and the occurrence of birth defects....read the statement
30.4.12
The HFEA have released a statement on an IVF incident reported in the Sunday Times ...read the statement
4.4.12
The HFEA is today launching a national strategy to raise awareness of egg and sperm donation and to improve the care of donors....read the press release
23.1.12
Professor Lisa Jardine, Chair of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA), today announced that Peter Thompson has been appointed as the Authority’s new Chief Executive....read more

 

What are the risks of multiple pregnancy from fertility treatment?

Understanding fertility clinic success rates

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

...read about clinic success rates

Donor compensation FAQ's

On 1 April 2012 a number of changes to the HFEA’s donation policies will be coming into effect.  This follows an extensive public consultation, ‘Donating sperm and eggs: have your say.’ To help understand the changes to the new donor compensation policies we have published answers to a set of Frequently Asked Questions.

 

Read more


Code of Practice 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