The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued its first-ever global guideline on infertility, urging countries to make fertility care safer, fairer, and more affordable. Infertility affects approximately one in six people of reproductive age, yet access to care remains limited, with treatments often paid out-of-pocket. In many settings, the cost of procedures such as in vitro fertilization (IVF) can exceed the average annual household income, creating financial and social barriers for millions. WHO emphasizes that infertility is a major public health and equity issue, calling on nations to implement science-based, accessible care.
The guideline provides 40 evidence-based recommendations covering prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of infertility. It promotes cost-effective approaches and encourages the integration of fertility care into national health strategies and financing systems. Infertility, defined as the inability to achieve pregnancy after 12 months of unprotected sexual intercourse, can cause significant emotional, mental, and psychosocial distress. WHO highlights the importance of people-centered care, early education on fertility, and targeted interventions to prevent leading risk factors, including untreated sexually transmitted infections and tobacco use.
Clinical guidance in the guideline outlines pathways to diagnose common causes of male and female infertility and recommends a stepwise approach to treatment. This ranges from simple management strategies, such as fertility education and monitoring, to more complex procedures like intrauterine insemination and IVF. Recognizing the psychological burden of infertility, WHO stresses the importance of ongoing psychosocial support for individuals and couples affected.
The guideline also calls for countries to adapt recommendations to their local contexts and integrate them into rights-based approaches to sexual and reproductive health. Successful implementation requires collaboration across health ministries, professional societies, civil society, and patient groups. WHO emphasizes that infertility care should uphold gender equality and reproductive rights, empowering people to make informed choices about their reproductive lives. Future editions of the guideline are expected to address fertility preservation, third-party reproduction, and considerations for people with pre-existing medical conditions.
