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22 February 2008

As the shops fill up with gifts and cards for Mother's Day, an estimated 1,750,000 couples in the UK* (one in seven) may be experiencing the stress and anxiety of trying to conceive.

Wondering what to do and where to get help can be a major concern. Although there is a mass of information from various sources about fertility treatments, it can be difficult to know where to start when dealing with your own, specific problem. It's no surprise that too many people seeking fertility treatment feel left in the dark about the choices open to them at what can be a difficult and emotional time.

That's where the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority's free Guide to Infertility can help. The Guide is written for people who are having, or considering, IVF or other fertility treatments. And because it is published by the UK's regulator for IVF and artificial insemination treatments, readers can be sure that the information is reliable and accurate.

The Guide covers all the main issues patients tell us they need to know about when starting to investigate treatment for fertility problems, such as:

• When to ask for medical help
• The different fertility treatments available
• Considering the financial and emotional costs of treatment
• How to choose the most suitable clinic for you
• Questions to ask your GP and fertility clinic
• Where to find UK clinics licensed by the HFEA
• Support groups such as Infertility Network UK

Alan Doran, interim Chief Executive of the HFEA, said:

"Patients want clear, accurate and comprehensive information about fertility treatments but they tell us it can be difficult to know where to start.  Our free Guide is designed to cut through the jargon and complex science behind high-tech fertility treatments to help people make informed choices about the options available for them.

"In putting the Guide together, we have spent a lot of time talking to patients about the information they need. This Guide allows people to make the most of their consultation with their doctor by helping them to ask informed questions about their individual circumstances."

Ends

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Notes to editors

* Statistics, including regional data, can be found on our Facts & figures page.

The Guide is available free of charge from the HFEA.  It can be downloaded here.

Approximate number of couples experiencing difficulties conceiving is based on ONS 2001 population estimates.

The HFEA is the independent regulator for IVF treatment and embryo research. Our role is to protect patients and the public interest, to drive improvement in the treatment and research sectors and to provide information to the public and policymakers about treatment and research.

The HFEA was set up in August 1991 as part of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990. The HFEA's principal tasks are to license and monitor clinics that carry out in vitro fertilisation (IVF), artificial insemination (AI) and human embryo research. The HFEA also regulates the storage of gametes (eggs and sperm) and embryos.

Page last updated: 11 March 2009

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