The World Health Organization (WHO) has released its first-ever global guideline on infertility, calling for safer, fairer, and more affordable fertility care for everyone. WHO estimates that one in six people of reproductive age will face infertility at some point, but in many countries, tests and treatments remain out of reach for all but the wealthiest, with costs that can overwhelm families—even a single round of IVF can cost twice an average household’s yearly income in some places.
The new guideline offers 40 recommendations covering prevention, diagnosis, and treatment, with a focus on cost-effective and people-centered care that can be integrated into national health systems. It pushes for services backed by science and advocates including fertility care in universal health coverage, not just as a luxury but as a fundamental part of reproductive health.
The guideline highlights the impact of infertility on well-being, pointing out mental health challenges and social stigma. It recommends that countries invest in prevention through education on risk factors like untreated sexually transmitted infections and tobacco use, in schools, clinics, and community programs. Healthy lifestyle advice, psychosocial support, and early information about fertility all play a role in helping people make informed choices.
WHO also provides step-by-step clinical pathways, guiding health professionals from basic advice to advanced treatments like IVF, while urging attention to people’s values, preferences, and emotional needs. The guideline stresses that infertility care should be rooted in gender equality and reproductive rights and encourages governments to adapt the recommendations for their local context and move towards more inclusive care.
Upcoming editions are expected to address fertility preservation, third-party reproduction, and impacts of pre-existing health conditions. WHO hopes the guideline will spur more research, more investment, and more equal access to quality fertility care worldwide.
