The World Health Organization (WHO) has highlighted infertility as an often-overlooked public health issue, calling on countries to improve prevention, diagnosis, and treatment for millions of people worldwide. According to the agency, about one in six individuals will experience infertility at some point in their lives.
Infertility is recognized as a reproductive disease that affects both men and women. It is generally defined as the inability to conceive after one year of regular unprotected sexual activity. Despite rising demand for fertility care, access to effective treatment remains limited in many parts of the world, the WHO said.
The agency noted that fertility treatments can impose significant financial burdens. In some countries, a single round of in vitro fertilisation (IVF) may cost twice the average household income. This can lead people to seek cheaper but unproven interventions or face the difficult choice between pursuing a family and maintaining financial stability. Mental health impacts and social stigma also disproportionately affect women, according to the WHO.
“Infertility is one of the most overlooked public health challenges of our time and a major equity issue globally,” WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in a statement. “Millions face this journey alone – priced out of care, pushed toward unproven treatments, or forced to choose between their hopes of having children and their financial security.”
In its first guidance on infertility, the WHO urged countries to expand access to fertility services and support individuals’ rights to make informed decisions about whether and when to have children. The guidance emphasizes prevention through awareness of risk factors such as smoking, untreated sexually transmitted infections, and other health conditions that can reduce fertility.
The WHO also called for timely diagnosis for both men and women and recommended that care begin with cost-effective treatments. Mental health support for individuals experiencing infertility should be provided alongside medical interventions, the agency said.
Barriers to fertility care vary widely across regions. A report from Fertility Europe and the European Parliamentary Forum for Sexual and Reproductive Rights found that Belgium and the Netherlands rank highest in Europe for legal protections, public funding, and patient satisfaction. Countries including Albania, Azerbaijan, and Kosovo scored lowest among 49 European nations, highlighting significant disparities in access and affordability.
The WHO indicated that the current guidance is an initial step, with plans to issue more detailed recommendations in future updates. Dr. Tedros encouraged countries to adopt the guidelines, stating that broader implementation could help ensure “affordable, respectful, and science-based care” is available to more people.
As demand for fertility services continues to rise globally, the WHO’s guidance aims to raise awareness, reduce financial and social barriers, and support policies that promote reproductive health and equity.
