The World Health Organisation has dropped a historic first—their maiden global guideline on preventing, diagnosing, and treating infertility—urging countries to completely rethink how fertility care is delivered and financed. And honestly, it’s about time. With infertility affecting 1 in 6 people worldwide, millions are grinding through an expensive, lonely, and emotionally draining process, often without real support.
According to the new guideline, fertility care in many countries is still a luxury. Too many couples pay completely out-of-pocket, and in some places, a single round of IVF costs more than twice the average yearly household income. That’s wild. WHO’s Director-General, Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus, put it plainly: infertility is one of the world’s most ignored health challenges and a massive equity issue. People are often forced to choose between their dream of having a child and their financial stability.
This new guideline introduces 40 recommendations to shake up the system. These recommendations push for preventive measures, early diagnosis, and accessible treatment options. It also calls for governments to integrate fertility care into national health plans, budgets, and primary healthcare systems—not just leave it for the rich or desperate.
A major highlight is WHO’s emphasis on cost-effective, evidence-based, people-centred care. The guideline encourages healthier lifestyles—good diet, exercise, and quitting smoking—for couples trying to conceive. It also stresses early action on untreated STIs and tobacco use, two major contributors to infertility.
For those undergoing treatment, the guideline lays out clear clinical pathways—from simple guidance on fertile windows to more advanced procedures like intrauterine insemination and IVF. It also acknowledges the heavy emotional toll infertility takes, recommending ongoing psychosocial support to help patients cope.
WHO is urging countries to adapt the guideline to fit local realities and collaborate across ministries, health institutions, civil society, and patient groups. The organisation insists that infertility care must be grounded in gender equality, reproductive rights, and informed decision-making.
While this first edition is comprehensive, WHO admits it isn’t the final stop. Future updates will tackle issues like fertility preservation, third-party reproduction, and how pre-existing medical conditions affect fertility.
At the end of the day, WHO’s message hits home: fertility shouldn’t be a privilege. It should be a right—accessible, affordable, and rooted in dignity.