More couples are travelling abroad for fertility treatment due to egg shortages and cheaper costs.
Many women across Europe are being forced to travel abroad for fertility treatment. This is predominantly due to a lack of egg donors. Experts in Denmark have criticised the lack of compensation given to egg donors, resulting in a lack of eggs being donated.
This extreme shortage is forcing women to look abroad for fertility treatment, with Spain, Czech Republic and the USA being favourite destinations. On the other hand, Denmark’s liberal supply for sperm saw around 6,700 foreign women travel to the country for treatment in 2011. Sperm donation is still fully anonymous, unlike many other EU countries, meaning donations are given more freely.
In the UK, women face a similar problem. While the exact number of patients going abroad for fertility treatment is not recorded, a study in 2010 estimated 25,000 cross-border infertility treatments are carried out in Europe every year. People in the UK opt for Spain, Czech Republic and Cyprus as destinations of choice.
Why do people get treatment abroad?
There are a range of reasons why people choose to travel abroad for treatment. The 2010 TransRep study found that 34% had had difficulties accessing suitable treatment in the UK (due to the so-called ‘postcode lottery’), 37% had had previous treatment failure and 28% wanted a better quality of care. Over a quarter of those who took part in the survey also cited a wish for an anonymous donation as part of their decision. Other factors often mentioned included a lack of donor gametes in the UK; the cost of UK treatment and better success rates overseas.
Where to find fertility treatment advice?
Fertility Treatment Abroad is a new, online resource aiming to provide women with impartial advice and information. The searchable database contains fertility clinics around the world, providing treatment from IVF, donor insemination to egg donation. As well as including information about treatment options, the site also covers potential destinations, costs and practicalities such as insurance and any necessary documentation needed to travel for treatment. At launch, the site includes Information on treatment at more than 500 different clinics in over 50 countries.
Well my mom had me at 31 and then went on to have my sister at 35 and brother at 37. She just basically did it, however, there’s things you can do to help your fertility along. You should eat a healthy diet, exercise moderately on a daily basis, take prenatals or multivitamins and plenty of folic acid. There are herbal remedies believed to help like chaste tree berry or evening primrose oil. You best bet is to have sex when you’re close to ovulation.