O-170 The true impact of fertility problems: insights from the Fertility Network UK and Middlesex University survey
Authors: Rees E 
Published: June 2023

Fertility Network UK’s survey of approaching 1,300 fertility patients in the UK reveals the devastating toll infertility wreaks on people’s mental health, relationships, finances and career. Released at the start of National Fertility Awareness Week 2022, the findings highlight the emotional and financial impact, as well as the lack of information provided by GPs and the limited support options, such as counselling services.

Background

Fertility challenges and the use of assisted conception are increasing. Yet access to funded treatment and associated supports, such as counselling, is often limited, so the financial and emotional impacts of treatment are problematic for many people. In order to examine the impact of fertility challenges and treatment, Fertility Network UK commissioned Middlesex University to conduct a survey to examine the impacts of fertility challenges and treatment in order to update the survey conducted in 2016. The online survey was conducted between April and July 2022 to examine the psychological, emotional and relationship impacts of treatment, funding and support issues, and experiences of combining treatment and work. Specifically, Fertility Network UK gathered information on: - Emotional and psychological impacts of experiencing fertility challenges and of treatment - How it affects relationships with partner, friends, family and colleagues - How it impacts work and career, and how supportive employers are - Access to counselling and other supports - Access to NHS-funded fertility treatment. Fertility Network UK wished the survey to be applicable to a broad range of individuals including those who have fertility challenges but are not having treatment, those who have received or are currently having treatment or who are planning or awaiting treatment, and those who have completed their fertility journey, whether it has been successful or they have had to accept involuntary childlessness.

Key Findings

Mental health

• 4 out of 10 respondents experienced suicidal feelings.

• Approaching half (47%) of respondents experienced feelings of depression often or all the time, while the vast majority (83%) felt sad, frustrated and worried often or all the time.

Finances

• Two-thirds of patients (63%) had to pay for their own medical treatment.

• The average cost of investigations and treatment was £13,750. • Around 1 in 10 couples (12%) spent more than £30,000 and a few (0.5%) spent over £100,000.

Career

• 15% either reduced their hours or left their job.

• Over a third (36%) of respondents felt their career was damaged as a result of fertility treatment, and the majority (58%) felt concerned that fertility treatment would affect their career prospects.

• Only a quarter (25%) reported the existence of a supportive workplace policy

• Less than half (45%) of respondents felt they received really good support from their employer.

Relationships

• The majority of respondents (59%) reported some detrimental impact of fertility problems and/or treatment on their relationship with their partner.

Information & Support

• Approaching half (44%) of respondents sought help from Fertility Network UK, the nation’s leading fertility charity.

• Three-quarters of respondents (75%) felt their GP did not provide sufficient information about fertility problems and treatment and 7% were not sure. Less than one-fifth (18%) were satisfied with the information GPs provided.

• The majority of respondents (78%) would have liked to have counselling if it was free. Half of respondents (51%) did have counselling, but most of these (59%) had to fund some of it themselves.

Trial registration number

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