Awareness of infertility needed

Far greater awareness of the reasons for infertility and the distress it causes is needed, a report on the issue urges.

Legislation is also urgently required to clarify the regulations governing infertility clinics, procedures and best practice, according to the report, Infertility and its Treatments: A Review of the Psycho-social issues.

The report was published today by the Women’s Health Council. One in six Irish couples is infertile and yet infertility remains one of the greatest taboo issues, exacerbating the isolation couples, and particularly women, feel.

There is neither regulation of the ten clinics offering infertility treatment in this State, nor adequate preparation for couples for the emotional and psychological repercussions of treatment.

Ireland is one of three states in the EU with no regulation of infertility services. The others are Poland and Romania. The only guidance available to clinicians are the Medical Council’s ethical guidelines, published in 2004.

A report from the Commission on Assisted Reproduction, published in 2005, made 40 recommendations, which have not been acted on.

Women’s Health Council director Geraldine Luddy said from discussions with the Department of Health, she believed guidelines were being drawn up, but not legislation.

She said the issue of protection for embryos remained an obstacle, but she insisted regulations on Art (assisted reproduction treatment) clinics could be drawn up in the meantime.

The review is one of two reports on infertility published today by the council, the second being Infertility Treatments for Women: A Review of the Bio-Medical Evidence.

Most couples have life plans that include children, says the report.

“Given Ireland’s pro-natalist culture and the tradition of having large families, it is fair to assume couples experiencing fertility problems might feel excluded and isolated the report states.