Thousands of Brits seek IVF alternatives to get pregnant, survey finds

Thousands of Brits are turning away from IVF to seek alternative fertility treatments, a new survey has shown.

The research, carried out by Béa Fertility, surveyed over 4,000 UK adults who are currently trying or struggling to conceive and are open to exploring new treatment options.

The survey found that 46 per cent of respondents are actively “looking for something new to try” on their fertility journey, with more than half (51 per cent) wanting to have access to treatments they can carry out at home. Two-fifths of the people surveyed said they wanted access to cheaper fertility treatment options.

In the UK, a single round of IVF can cost up to and above £5,000. Other treatments, such as intrauterine insemination (IUI) also carry a high fee, and clinical consultation and support can pose additional costs.

More than half of respondents had already been trying to conceive for more than two years before exploring new treatment options. Two-fifths had undergone fertility investigations on the NHS and more than one in ten (14 per cent) had tried IVF.

When asked why they were considering different methods or treatments, one-third cited looking for an option that meant they didn’t have to join a waitlist.

Others reported having been excluded from treatments on the NHS, with some failing restrictive eligibility criteria for reasons including their age and BMI.

The findings come amid fresh scrutiny of the significant inequalities in access to IVF, and advancements in new care alternatives.

Access to traditional treatments such as IVF and IUI is particularly inhibitive for minority groups including single parents, LGBTQ+ couples and those experiencing secondary infertility.

Same-sex female couples are currently required to self-fund at least six rounds of intrauterine insemination (IUI) before they can qualify for IVF on the NHS. Heterosexual couples have to have been trying to conceive naturally for two years to reach the same threshold.

“As a GP, I see countless patients struggling to navigate their fertility treatment and care options,” said Dr Hannah Allen, NHS GP and medical director at Béa Fertility.

“It’s often equally difficult for us as doctors to help these patients to access the right support, thanks to growing pressure on resources and lengthy wait times for care. It’s not a surprise, therefore, that many fertility patients are seeking alternative treatment options.

“We need to make sure these alternatives are safe and can provide the necessary level of wraparound support to help patients achieve a healthy pregnancy. As these treatments become increasingly popular, doctors must also be prepared to help guide patients in navigating and choosing the best option for them, and supporting them to use it safely.”

Tess Cosad, co-founder and CEO at Béa Fertility, said: “While up to one in six of us will experience problems with our fertility, seeking effective and affordable treatment in the UK remains a minefield for many.

“Inhibitive costs, lengthy wait lists and an NHS postcode lottery are making traditional treatments like IVF increasingly difficult to access.

“Around 55,000 people in the UK underwent IVF or donor insemination in 2021, according to the HFEA – yet three and a half million people are estimated to be struggling with fertility across the country.

“We desperately need safe and effective alternative treatments for those struggling to access IVF, or for when it’s not a viable option.”