Number of single women having fertility treatment triples in a decade

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The number of female same-sex couples having IVF has doubled over the last decade and more than tripled among single women, according to the fertility regulator.

Figures from the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) show those two groups also had the highest success rates.

Between 2012 and 2022 across the UK, the proportion of single women having in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) or donor insemination (DI) treatment increased from 2% to 6% (1,400 to 4,800).

For female same-sex couples, the rise was from 2% to 4% (1,300 to 3,300).

Opposite-sex couples were involved in 89% of IVF treatments in 2022 (47,000), the HFEA said.

Its data also shows that female same-sex couples and single patients had a birth rate per embryo of 40% or over in 2022.

That compares to 35% among opposite-sex couples aged 18-34, although the lower rates are linked to those couples being more likely to suffer from infertility.

Single women starting IVF younger

Single women were an average age of 36 when they started IVF, two years younger than in 2012 according to the HFEA. Meanwhile, opposite-sex couples typically began treatment at around 35.

The HFEA also said there were wide variations in which groups received NHS funding. Among those aged 18-39, about 16% of female same-sex couples were funded for their first IVF treatment, versus 18% for single patients, and 52% of opposite-sex couples.

NHS funding varies widely

But funding varies significantly across the UK. In 2022, Scotland had the highest rate of NHS-funded IVF cycles at 78% compared to 53% in Wales and 45% in England.

Julia Chain, chair of the HFEA, said: "While the number of female same-sex couples and single patients having fertility treatment continues to rise, we continue to see lower rates of NHS-funded treatment.

"While the HFEA does not regulate funding, we encourage those who commission fertility services to review their eligibility criteria and consider whether these have an adverse impact on access to treatment."

'Disappointing' that 'discrimination persists'

Sarah Lambert, head of policy at Gingerbread, a charity for single-parent families, said it was "disappointing to see discrimination against single parents persist".

"We welcome the calls from the HFEA to ensure that families in all their diversity are represented and supported at each point of the IVF journey," she added.

Simon Blake, chief executive of Stonewall, was also critical of what he called "inequity in access to fertility treatment and support".

"Change is far too slow. Urgent change is needed so all people who want children have the same access to services, and their sexuality does not determine the choices available to them," he said.

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