Results of a new fertility survey from Teva Pharmaceuticals Europe show high acceptance in Europe of in vitro fertilisation (IVF) and egg-freezing (oocyte cryopreservation) treatments for both medical and lifestyle reasons.[1 ]
The Teva survey, Listening in: IVF and Fertility in Europe (LIFE), was presented at the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE) in Geneva, Switzerland, in July. The survey asked over 6,000 men and women in France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom for their views on fertility treatments. Teva conducted the survey to better understand people’s evolving views on fertility treatments, and to promote a dialogue around access to IVF and egg-freezing.
Europe currently has the lowest fertility rate in the world,[2] with women on average having 1.58 children each in 2014, far below the rate of 2.1 needed to maintain population at current levels (in the absence of migration).[3] Fertility rates continue to decrease, driven by both biological and lifestyle factors,[2] with infertility currently affecting at least one in 10 couples in Europe.[4] In vitro fertilisation (IVF) is a process for treating infertility, while egg-freezing (oocyte cryopreservation ) is a process for preserving fertility and preventing future infertility. Egg-freezing is aimed at two groups of women in particular: those diagnosed with cancer, who have not yet begun chemotherapy, or with any other medical condition for which treatment may alter future fertility; and those who would like to preserve their future ability to have children and choose to delay parenthood for personal reasons, either because they do not yet have a partner, or because of work or professional reasons.
The Teva LIFE survey showed that 93 per cent of respondents believed IVF should be publicly funded to