The number of single women and female couples undergoing fertility treatments, including in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) and artificial insemination, has surged over the past decade, according to a report by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA).
Between 2012 and 2022, the number of single women accessing treatment rose from 1,400 to 4,800, while treatments for female couples doubled to 3,300. Despite this growth, heterosexual couples still account for nearly 90% of all IVF procedures.
A fertility charity highlighted the financial hurdles faced by many single women and female couples, who often need to prove infertility before qualifying for NHS-funded IVF. This requirement often leads to significant out-of-pocket expenses.
Thorogood founded LGBT Mummies, an organisation that supports prospective LGBTQ+ parents and campaigns for equitable access to fertility treatment.
Overall, fertility treatment use has increased, with heterosexual couples undergoing 47,000 IVF or donor insemination (DI) treatments in 2022, compared to 45,300 in 2012. However, single women and female couples now account for one in six of all treatments.
The report highlights a drop in NHS-funded IVF cycles, which now account for just 27% of treatments, compared to 40% in 2012.
Advocacy groups are calling for urgent changes to ensure equal access to fertility services. Fertility Network UK emphasised that female same-sex couples and single women are left covering significant medical costs due to current policies.
