The WHO and World Health Organization have just dropped their official guidelines and recommendations for infertility.
WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus made the statement, saying “infertility is one of the most overlooked public health challenges of our time and a major equity issue worldwide.”
“Millions of people are embarking on this journey alone – care is spiraling out of control, forced to turn to cheaper but unproven treatments, or forced to choose between their hopes of having children and their financial security.”
In light of this, he created guidelines to better pave the way for the opportunity to develop “access to affordable, respectful and evidence-based care.”
The guidelines further offer a total of 40 recommendations that touch on three core areas, such as prevention, diagnosis and treatment of infertility.
The ‘inability to conceive after 12 months or more after regular and consistent efforts’ is what the WHO defines as infertility.
In their new guideline, there will be “guidance on the steps for the effective clinical management of infertility.”
According to the official press release: “It highlights the need to address the major risk factors for infertility, including untreated sexually transmitted infections and tobacco use. Lifestyle interventions, such as healthy diet, physical activity, and smoking cessation, are recommended for individuals and couples planning or attempting a pregnancy. Educating people about fertility and infertility early can help them make reproductive plans.”
Additionally, it outlines ‘clinical pathways’ that will work to diagnose common biological causes of male and female infertility.
The Director of the WHO Department of Sexual, Reproductive, Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health and Aging and the United Nations Special Program on Human Reproduction (HRP), Dr Pascale Allotey, has also spoken out on the matter.
He claims: “The prevention and treatment of infertility must be based on gender equality and reproductive rights. Enabling people to make informed choices about their reproductive lives is a health necessity and a matter of social justice.”
