Latest figures show rise in number of IVF treatments
16 November 2011
New figures released today by the HFEA show that the number of IVF treatments continues to rise. They also show that the overall pregnancy and live birth rates have remained steady at a time of notable changes to clinical practice. At the same time, the overall multiple pregnancy and multiple birth rates have fallen.
These figures are contained in a new annual report from the HFEA, bringing together in an accessible way, key statistics on fertility trends in the UK.
Professor Lisa Jardine, Chair of the HFEA, said:
“The Register of all licensed treatments and outcomes for assisted reproduction held by the HFEA puts us in an unrivalled position to inform people about the performance of the fertility sector. We are now committed to publishing regular analytical reports, twice a year, one in the spring and one in the autumn. This autumn report describes general trends and figures about fertility treatments based on the latest clinic data we hold, data for 2010 and in some cases 2009.”
Key figures include:
- In 2010, 45,264 women received a total of 57,652 IVF or ICSI treatments, an increase of 5.9% on the number of cycles in 2009.
- A total of 12,386 pregnancies were reported as a result of fresh IVF or ICSI treatment which started in 2009 whilst 13,015 pregnancies followed treatment started in 2010. This translates to a pregnancy rate (per embryo transfer) of one third (33.4%) – a figure which remained constant over both years.
- The majority of women who received IVF treatment in 2010 were aged 37 years or under, with that age group making up almost two thirds of all those treated. The average age of women undergoing IVF treatment was 35.
- London has the largest number of licensed fertility clinics in the UK, with 15 clinics treating nearly 14,000 women in 2010.
- Following the trend for increasing IVF in general, the number of women receiving treatment with donated eggs and sperm each year has risen between 2009 and 2010.
- The number of donor insemination cycles rose very slightly in the last year, with 3,878 cycles in 2010 compared with 3,847 in 2009 (an increase of 0.8%). The live birth rate for DI cycles was 11%.
- Meanwhile, 2010 saw an increase in the number of women receiving IVF treatment with donor eggs or sperm. In 2009 there were 1,615 cycles of IVF treatment with donated sperm resulting in 585 babies being born; in 2010, this had increased to 1,963 cycles (a 21.5% increase). In 2009, there were 1,254 cycles of IVF with donated eggs, resulting in 550 babies being born; in 2010, this had increased to 1,320 cycles (a 5.3% increase).
- There has also been good progress made in the last year in reducing multiple births following IVF, particularly in the youngest age group. In 2009, just under a quarter (24.9%) of live births in those aged 18 – 34 years were multiple ones. This compares with 29.4% in 2008.
- Only a minority of IVF treatment cycles in 2010 were funded by the NHS, with 40% being funded by them and 60% being funded by the patients themselves. This compares with 62% being privately funded in 2009.
Ends
Notes to editors
- The full report can be downloaded here
- 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. See www.hfea.gov.uk for further details.
For further information please contact the HFEA press office on 020 7291 8226 or email press.office@hfea.gov.uk
Page last updated: 16 November 2011