Three quarters of breeding patients are being offered unnecessary ad-on treatment which “are not proven to increase the change of child.”
The reproductive regulator stated that the new study was “related” because almost all additional tests, treatment or emerging technologies were surplus for reproductive success.
The 2024 National Patient Survey conducted by Human Fourism and Embryology Authority (HFEA) on the experiences of 1,500 patients in the UK.
The report also highlighted prolonged waiting for some patients – especially NHS care seekers.
It also indicates the number of patients using donor sperm from outside the UK.
About a quarter of patients used donor eggs, sperm or fetus in treatment.
Patients who demanded donor sperm were likely to treat sperm imported from abroad with 51 percent from abroad.
Most quoted choice and reasons for more information about the donor, why he chose foreign sperm.
The HFEA stated that a donor’s sperm in the UK can only be used to create 10 families, but the 10-family range does not apply abroad.
On add-on treatment, the new report found that effectiveness in only half (52 percent) patients explained to them, lower (37 percent) with any risk related to add-on-on care.
The report found that the use of endometrial scratching – when a fetus is scratched the lining of the womb before transplanting – reduced last year.
But pre-deployment for Aneuploidy (PGT-A) has increased the fetal check-2021 from 7 percent to 13 percent in 2024, even though HFEA said that HFEA said that there are “insufficient evidence” of its effectiveness to improve treatment results.
The report also found that most of the patients first began one year treatment seven months after seeing their GP about their reproductive problems. But 16% of patients waited in two years.
NHS-funded patients reported long waiting to start treatment compared to private payers.
Some 53 percent of private patients began treatment within a year in NHS patients within a year compared to 35 percent.
The regulator said its data shows that the number of NHS-funded treatment cycles is falling, and in 2022 is just 27 percent.
HFEA President Julia Chen said: “It is disappointing to see that a significant number of patients is still using ad-on and emerging technologies, and especially disappointing that only half the patients had effectiveness, they were explained, leaving alone risks.
“We regularly remind clinics that, according to our practice code, they should give clear ideas to patients what is involved in any treatment, how much it is likely to increase the possibility of a successful pregnancy, cost, risk and link to our public rating system.
“We will continue to remind clinics about improving clarity and communication for patients.”
He said: “We are also worried that NHS-funded patients are waiting for a long time compared to self-funded patients to start fertility treatment.
“The delays faced by NHS patients throw light on the ongoing issues related to the provision of expert care for women.
“As part of our response to the government’s 10 -year plan, we want to see very little time to start breeding treatment for patients, when they get a referral from advice or their GP.”
