Patients asked to give their view on proposed changes to ‘inflexible’ fertility law

The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) has opened a patient consultation process regarding proposed changes to UK fertility laws which they say are inflexible and not reflective of modern fertility practice.

The Human Fertilisation & Embryology Act (HFE Act), the law that currently governs fertility treatment and embryo research in the UK is over 30 years old. The HFEA believe that it no longer accurately reflects the medical and scientific innovations and changes in societal expectation that have occurred over the subsequent decades. They recommend sweeping reforms, proposing to put patients at the heart of fertility law.

Julia Chain, Chair of the Human Fertilisation & Embryology Authority (HFEA), explains: “Much of the fertility law has stood the test of time remarkably well but modern fertility practice, emerging possibilities in research that could benefit patients and the changing expectations of donors and of families, are not reflected in the sector’s 30-year-old law.

“With input from an expert advisory group, we have identified where the law needs to be modernised in the interests of patients and their families. This includes providing more up to date powers for inspecting and regulating fertility clinics in the interests of patients and greater choice around donor anonymity. However, it’s important to note that any decision to update the law is for the Government and ultimately Parliament to decide.”

Fertility law changes being considered

  • Changes to HFEA’s regulatory powers so they can more rapidly impose conditions, suspend all, or part of a service for a specific period of time, or impose financial penalties where there have been serious non-compliances
  • Extending HFEA’s powers to address fertility services outside licensed fertility clinics
  • Changing current access to donor information, including providing parental and donor choice where they can opt for anonymity until age 18 (as now) or identifiable information on request after the birth of a child.
  • Allowing automatic record-sharing between fertility clinics and GPs to ensure safer patient care.
  • Encouraging innovation by allowing the HFEA to authorise trials for low-risk new practices.

HFEA also plan to future proof the law to ensure it is better able to respond to scientific developments and speed up potential new treatment options for patients.

Since the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act was established in 1990, fertility care in the UK has changed rapidly and currently around 60,000 patients use fertility services every year and approximately 60% of them will pay for their own treatment.

The HFEA consultation opened on 28 February and will run for six weeks on the regulator’s website. It will submit its recommendations for law changes to the Department for Health and Social Care by the end of the year.

For more information and to share your views, Fertility Network UK are holding a webinar on the HFEA’s proposed changes to fertility law with Peter Thompson from the HFEA. The webinar will explain more about this consultation process, what the proposed changes mean to patients and how patients can get involved.

You can register here: Webinar – Why Changes To Fertility Regulations Matter To You | Fertility Network

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Nutrition: the root cause of male infertility?

Infertility affects an estimated 15% of couples globally and in approximately half of those couples experiencing difficulties conceiving, part of the problem will lie with the male. However, the burden of fertility treatment still resides mainly with women. The perception that assisted reproductive technology, particularly Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), has ‘solved’ male fertility means that male infertility research has often been neglected.

However, as leading fertility nutritionist Melanie Brown believes, a shift in thinking about male infertility could greatly improve treatment outcomes or even increase the chance of natural conception.

“Often men feel, or are even told, that if they have poor quality sperm, there is nothing they can do about it. But that’s just not the case.”

Melanie has an MSc in Nutritional Medicine and over twenty years of working in fertility and preconception nutrition, and she is especially interested in supporting male infertility.

“The focus is almost exclusively on women and their fertility, but intervention should probably come with men when they are at school. Young men should be given more nutritional and lifestyle education about protecting their fertility in their late teens and 20s.

“Obesity, for example, isn’t always an open and shut case as it doesn’t account for diet. You may have an obese man eating a very rich, indulgent diet with too much red wine, pasta and potatoes, but it is also a varied diet, and he’s still consuming his vegetables and olive oil. On the other hand, you can have an obese man just eating lots of beige, ultra-processed fast food, which is very bad for sperm quality.”

The pursuit of perfection and fertility

In an ironic twist, known as the Mossman-Pacey paradox after the two UK scientists that discovered it, the human male is seemingly the only species that make themselves less fertile while trying to look more attractive to the opposite sex.

“Lifestyle changes in recent years have been disastrous for sperm quality,” Melanie explains. “For example, lots of young men are now using hair growth medication to halt male pattern baldness, and these products are now readily available and heavily promoted. But they can be very damaging for sperm.

“Steroid use is also becoming a significant problem for many young men, which could actually finish off their testicles for good! Even protein powders contribute as they can contain a minimal amount of steroids.”

And this focus on women over their male counterparts extends throughout the fertility treatment journey. “My thesis was on the impact male obesity has on IVF outcomes as there is so much research into female obesity and women being told they must be a specific BMI for IVF, but male BMI is not considered. Furthermore, most men don’t even have their testicles examined before IVF to check if they have a varicocele or if they look slightly smaller than normal, whereas women are prodded and poked endlessly with examinations.

“Often, this is because ICSI allows men to circumvent specific issues. If it’s left further down the fertility treatment pathway, it’s too late, but the fact is that a good diet and lifestyle changes can help sperm.”

Lifestyle factors and male infertility

Pollution may be a big factor; a Danish study published last year looking at pollutants, including BPA, in semen and their relationship with deteriorating sperm quality found that the men aged between 20-30 in their study had up to 100 times the safe limit of various pollutants and this correlated with their sperm quality.

“There are some steps you can take to mitigate exposure to these harmful chemicals, such as using a BPA-free drinking bottle, never heating your food in plastic, eating some organic foods – look at The Dirty Dozen and the Clean Fifteen lists on the internet – and avoiding parabens in toiletries.

“Covid has also played a role. There has been a drop in activity levels since the pandemic, but exercise is critical for testosterone metabolism. Although it has to be the right exercise: cycling is fine but respect your testicles!

“Nutrition is the big one, though. I find a lot of my research from animal studies, as vets and farmers know how valuable sperm is – you wouldn’t believe how much money a vial of good bull sperm costs now! Breeding animals have the best nutrition to ensure high-quality sperm, but this research hasn’t been extrapolated to the human male.”

Small steps to make significant changes

Melanie explains how she typically works with male clients. “I see very few men who come off their own bat – usually, they are part of a couple or referred by urologists I work closely with.

“I explain that it’s a 12-week project – as that’s how long it takes sperm to regenerate – and set them strategies and goals, and then they are typically highly motivated.

“It’s often about making tweaks – small or large – to their regular diet and routine. So, breakfast may remain the same, but I advise them to add some berries. If they don’t want to take a packed lunch to work, I might say go to Pret rather than Subway, choose a sandwich with egg, avocado or rocket, and opt for nuts rather than crisps. The basis of a good sperm diet is The Mediterranean Diet, full of fresh colourful un-processed foods. I also recommend some carefully selected supplements. However, too many supplements at too high amounts can also be very bad for sperm. Diet is key.

Male infertility can often be an isolating experience, so this is an opportunity for teamwork. “If you present as an infertility couple, the emphasis shouldn’t be on who’s at fault. Making these important changes to improve sperm and egg quality before fertility treatment can be a great bonding experience before you move to the next stage.

Fertility Nutritionist“Male infertility is often the canary in the coal mine for men’s health,” Mel believes. “If there are infertility problems, then a bigger issue should probably be addressed.”

For more advice on anything fertility and nutrition-related, contact Mel directly to make an appointment or to find out more. Call +44 (0) 203 263 6025 or email us on admin@ariafertility.co.uk for advice on male infertility treatments.

For more information on the individual practitioners and organisations offering support, advice, and information to those undergoing fertility treatment, please visit our Support Hub.

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Fertility acupuncture explained

Chinese Medicine theory is based on the healthy functioning of the body being governed by the flow of Qi (or energy) through a system of channels (or meridians) under the skin. When this flow of Qi becomes blocked, illness occurs. When acupuncture is performed, fine needles are inserted at various points along the channels and the body’s balance can be restored and the illness is resolved.

We invited Melanie Hackwell of Ancient Roots Fertility Acupuncture to answer your questions and explain why you may want to consider acupuncture as a complementary therapy when starting your fertility journey.

“I only practice acupuncture for Fertility and Women’s Health. I have been practicing this speciality for 10 years and hold a BSc in Acupuncture, as well as receiving clinical training in China, and extensive post-graduate training in Fertility for both female and male. I am currently working on my Advanced Level Diploma in Fertility Acupuncture.”

What will happen at my first session?

“Your practitioner will conduct a detailed case history of the patient using Chinese Medicine theory, in order to gain background into how the illness arose, what patterns are evident, looking at the tongue and take the pulse, and make a diagnosis.

“Based on that diagnosis, they will put a set of acupuncture points together to use to assist with restoring health and balance to the patient. They may also use a herb called moxa to warm a certain area of the patient’s body and will also make various lifestyle and diet suggestions.”

Does Fertility Acupuncture hurt?

“When done correctly it does not hurt but the patient may feel a sensation such as a dull ache.”

Are there any side effects?

“There may occasionally be some bruising in certain areas, or the patient may feel tired after treatment (especially with the first treatment). This does not last long, and the patient normally feels refreshed a day or two days after treatment.”

How many sessions will I need?

“This is a question that is very difficult to answer until a detailed case history is conducted and the practitioner sees how the patient responds. I generally tell patients that I need about three months to clear any underlying issues that I can see.”

When should I start acupuncture for IVF?

“In order to have the best results, I will need to see you regularly for a period of months. I will often have people approach me a week before starting fertility treatment. While I am happy to help and the acupuncture will provide relief from the stress that a patient is under, more time is required to clear the underlying issues that I see so often in clinic and to work on egg quality and/or semen quality.”

What can I expect from Fertility Acupuncture?

“One of the most important aspects to be aware of is that I was once sitting where you are today. I am fully versed with the pain and intense emotions that go along with trying to conceive. A large amount of empathy is given to my patients which I feel is essential in the healing process.

“Like all acupuncturists, I will conduct a detailed case history. However, with Fertility Acupuncture I will also delve into the immune system in great detail along with any previous illnesses one may have experienced.  I will also be looking at lifestyle, and ask for certain tests to be conducted such as thyroid and vaginal microbiome.  By the time you have visited an IVF clinic, you will have already had all of your hormone levels tested so we will be looking at those as well.

“Increasingly, due to various environmental factors, I am seeing more and more men requiring treatment and we will be investigating that side of things also.

“I will give you an honest opinion of how long I feel treatment will be required. I do however ask that you give me time to tackle the underlying issues that I see on a daily basis.

Fertility Acupuncturist“I am delighted to have a chat with anyone who needs more information or just so we get to know one another. I feel it is so important to build a close relationship to my patients, so they trust in the support and advice that I give them.”

Contact Melanie directly to make an appointment or to find out more. For more information on the individual practitioners and organisations offering support, advice, and information to those undergoing fertility treatment, please visit our Support Hub.

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What is the difference between egg freezing and embryo freezing?

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Since Jennifer Aniston opened up about her own experiences with IVF and expressed her regret that she had not undergone egg freezing earlier, even more women have begun exploring their fertility preservation options.

Women now have the option of freezing their eggs or embryos, but there are critical differences between the treatments that can determine the best choice for them.

The collection stage

Both procedures start with the same basic premise of egg collection. You will self-administer hormone injections, stimulating the ovaries to produce mature eggs over 8 to 12 days. We will monitor your progress during this stage, and your eggs will be collected at the optimal time. This is a minor surgical procedure performed under sedation in the clinic. The collected eggs are then transferred to our laboratory.

To fertilise or not fertilise

This is the crucial difference between the two treatments. Before they are frozen, the eggs can be fertilised in our laboratory using either your partner’s sperm or donor sperm.

This takes place on the same day as the egg collection. Our embryologist will try to fertilise all mature eggs using intracytoplasmic sperm injection, or ICSI. If successful, the fertilised eggs will develop into an embryo. Over the next five to six days, the embryos will be carefully monitored as they hopefully progress to the blastocyst stage. The embryos that successfully develop to this stage are then frozen.

The freezing and storage process

Both eggs and embryos are frozen and stored using a method known as cryopreservation. Water in the cell is replaced with a freezing solution called a cryoprotectant which prevents this water from crystallising in the freezing process. The freezing process is called vitrification and entails flash freezing, instantaneous cooling from 37oC to -196oC. The eggs or embryos are then stored in liquid nitrogen.

Using your embryos or eggs

When you’re ready to use your embryos or eggs, our embryologist will thaw them. An embryo that has successfully thawed can be transferred directly back into the body. Frozen eggs that survive the thawing process will then be injected with a partner or donor’s sperm to fertilise them. The fertilised eggs will then develop into embryos and after five to six days can then be transferred to the womb.

The pros and cons of egg freezing vs freezing embryos

Previously, slow-freezing technology was used to freeze eggs or embryos. The cells were cooled very slowly over a couple of hours to avoid ice crystallisation until they reached the optimal storage temperature. Embryos were thought to survive the freezing and thawing process better than eggs as the latter are large size cells with a high-water content, so they are more susceptible to ice crystals forming and causing cellular damage.

The introduction of vitrification or flash freezing has largely eliminated this difference, and the survival rates when freezing eggs versus embryos are now very similar.

Choosing to freeze embryos means you have more information on how many eggs were healthy enough to fertilise and begin development. However, the most important difference is that freezing eggs rather than embryos grants women reproductive autonomy, giving them more options in the future.

Aria Fertility Counselling

Discussing your treatment choice with one of our counsellors can be a very rewarding and empowering session. At Aria, we wish for everyone undergoing fertility preservation treatment to have a full understanding of choices they are making and implications these may have for the future. Our wonderful counsellors will always be able to spare time to have a chat with you and help you come to a decision if you feel you require their expert support.

If you have more questions about our fertility preservation options, call +44 (0) 203 263 6025 or email admin@ariafertility.co.uk to arrange a consultation with one of our fertility specialists.

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Egg freezing: why age matters?

For years, the media has speculated on Jennifer Aniston’s ‘choice’ not to have children and now she has finally shared the truth about her struggles with IVF and trying to conceive.

In an interview published in Allure this month, she spoke candidly about her attempts to get pregnant with IVF during her late 30s and 40s.

“I was trying to get pregnant. It was a challenging road for me, the baby-making road,” she said.

“All the years and years and years of speculation… It was really hard. I was going through IVF, drinking Chinese teas, you name it. I was throwing everything at it.”

Jennifer also revealed that she wished that someone had advised her to freeze her eggs at an earlier age: “I would’ve given anything if someone had said to me: ‘Freeze your eggs. Do yourself a favour.’ You just don’t think it. So here I am today. The ship has sailed.”

So, why is your age such an important when it comes to egg freezing?

A study carried out by Imperial College London researchers published earlier this year found that women who freeze their eggs at 40 are unlikely to have a successful live birth. This supports the advice from Human Fertilisation & Embryology Authority (HFEA) that age is the key factor in egg freezing success.

The Imperial College London study suggested that women should be encouraged to undergo elective oocyte cryopreservation, commonly known as egg freezing, before the age of 36 to mitigate age-related fertility decline.

Egg freezing is becoming more and more popular as a fertility preservation and the results from the UK study suggest women should be encouraged to undergo egg freezing much earlier than the evidence suggests they are currently doing.

Egg freezing FAQs:

  1. What is the best age to freeze your eggs?

Fertility begins to decline from the age of 35, this decline becomes more rapid once you reach your mid-30s and so your optimum age to freeze your eggs would be your late 20s and early 30s.

  1. What happens during the egg freezing process?

Our fertility nurses are on hand to take you through the whole process. This usually starts with hormonal injections on day two of your cycle for approximately two weeks. We will carry out regular scans to monitor your progress and, when the follicles have reached the right stage of development, we give you a trigger injection to encourage final maturation of the eggs within the follicles.

Egg collection is then scheduled 36-38 hours later. This is a minor surgical procedure lasting between 20 and 30 minutes, carried out under intravenous sedation. The eggs are checked and then frozen and stored for your use in the future.

  1. How long can my eggs be stored?

Previously, eggs, sperm or embryos could only be stored for up to ten years except in cases of premature infertility or if undergoing medical treatment which could affect fertility. On 1 July 2022, these rules changed and now the law permits you to store eggs, sperm or embryos for up to 55 years, although you need to renew your consent every ten years.

If you have more questions about egg freezing and our success rates, call +44 (0) 203 263 6025 or email admin@ariafertility.co.uk to arrange a consultation with one of our fertility specialists.

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Fertility Awareness Week: new survey looks at the wellbeing of those trying to conceive

This week is Fertility Awareness Week in the UK. With 3.5 million people here facing fertility challenges, Fertility Network UK’s aim is to improve awareness and provide support at whatever stage of the journey you’re at.

Among other initiatives they are running a series of webinars during the week, touching on important fertility issues, finishing on Friday with a lunchtime webinar with Aria’s own Stuart Lavery. Friday’s theme will be #TalkFertility and will signpost the help available those experiencing fertility struggles so you don’t have to suffer in silence or feel unsupported.

Register for Friday’s webinar with Mr Stuart Lavery >

Yesterday’s theme was #FertilityFairness and tied into a new survey commissioned by Fertility Network UK into the postcode lottery that is fertility treatment in the UK. Only Scotland offers the recommended three full IVF cycles and almost two-thirds of respondents to the survey said they had to pay for their own treatment.

The emotional impact of IVF treatment and was also surveyed and worryingly four in 10 respondents said they experienced suicidal feelings. The vast majority at 83% said they felt sad, frustrated and worried often

Gwenda Burns, chief executive of Fertility Network UK, said: “Fertility patients encounter a perfect storm: not being able to have the child you long for is emotionally devastating.

“But then many fertility patients face a series of other hurdles, including potentially paying financially crippling amounts of money for their necessary medical treatment, having their career damaged, not getting information from their GP, experiencing their relationships deteriorate, and being unable to access the mental support they need.

“This is unacceptable. Infertility is a disease and is as deserving of medical help and support as any other clinical condition.”

The rest of the upcoming webinars this week are as follows:

Tuesday 1 November
#FertilityintheWorkplace

Most employers in the UK do not recognise fertility treatment as a necessary medical treatment and there is no legal right to time off work for fertility appointments. Fertility Network UK is calling for employers to recognise fertility treatment as a clinical necessity and to provide appropriate medical leave.

Register for Tuesday’s Webinar >

Wednesday 2 November
#HimFertility

Male factor fertility is a common reason for infertility yet often men’s fertility is not tested in the initial stages resulting in unnecessary delays. Fertility Network UK is calling for men’s fertility to be tested in a timely manner at the same time as a woman’s fertility is explored.

Register for Wednesday’s webinar >

Thursday 3 November
#FertilityEd

Fertility education in schools should be expanded in scope so teenagers and young adults understand fertility isn’t guaranteed and that treatments such as IVF and egg freezing do have some limits.

Register for Thursday’s webinar >

For more advice and support on any of the issues we’ve touched on here, call +44 (0) 203 263 6025 to discuss further.

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Chinese herbal medicine and IVF: is it safe?

Traditional Chinese Medicine is an ancient medical system that treats imbalances in the body at physical, mental and energetic level. It focused on the root cause of the disease. The treatments have a cumulative effect, which means that each treatment builds on the last one. That is why we always recommend having a series of 6 or 12 consecutive treatments to fully enjoy the long-lasting health benefits of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Eca Brady, an expert physician of Traditional Chinese medicine, has run a successful practice on Harley Street for over 11 years, focusing on IVF support, infertility, pregnancy, birth and post-natal recovery.

In her treatments she will use acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, dietary and lifestyle advice.

“Herbal medicine has become very popular currently, and it can be a powerful force for healing when done appropriately.  Each patient, after a detailed consultation and a diagnostic, when necessary, will be prescribed a personalised formula which will target her or his own imbalances.

A lot of knowledge and experience goes into writing an herbal formula. Each plant is chosen carefully for their own benefit but also for how well they would work in the prescribed combination with the other herbs.  A wrong herb can potentially cause side effects and a lot of damage if it is used over a long period of time,” Eca explains.

“It is popular now to take herbs as supplements like ashwagandha or turmeric which are often presented as beneficial for all sorts of conditions, but sometimes taking these herbs in high doses without a proper diagnostic can do more damage than good. I have seen in clinic many new patients presenting with side effects from taking these herbs in very high quantities over long periods of time.”

Can Chinese herbal medicine boost your IVF treatment?

Chinese herbal medicine has been used for centuries to enhance fertility by regulating the endocrine system, balancing hormones, nourishing the blood and reducing stress.

Eca believes that each patient should prepare before their IVF procedure for at least one month and ideally three months, using Traditional Chinese Medicine; not only to increase the chances of a successful IVF and to achieve an easy pregnancy, but also for the health benefits for your baby.

“I always follow the lead of your fertility doctor. It is not necessarily for me to have direct contact with them, but I always request that my patients ask permission from their doctor to have the treatments.

“The herbal medication is more often used in preparation to IVF, not necessarily during.  Herbal medicine is safe but always under the supervision of a qualify herbalist.”

As Eca points out, the quantity of herbs in supplements purchased at natural food shops can often exceed what she would normally prescribe to her patients: “The amount of turmeric in one pill that you buy from Holland & Barrett can be too much. When I make up a formula, I might use 8 grams of turmeric for a monthly prescription in combination with other herbs.  If you go to H&B and take three pills in a day, you’ve taken the same amount that I would be prescribing over a month.”

To find out more about Eca and arrange a consultation, please click here. For more information on the individual practitioners and organisations offering support, advice, and information to those undergoing fertility treatment, please visit our Support Hub.

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What should you ask in your first fertility consultation?

Embarking on fertility treatment can be overwhelming and stressful, so it helps to be prepared in terms of what to expect during your first fertility consultation and to know what questions you should ask.

Many patients we see at Aria Fertility have undergone treatment on the NHS or at other fertility clinics and so may have already undergone various tests and received a diagnosis. Some are at the start of their fertility journey or wish to learn more about fertility preservation options such as egg freezing. Whatever stage you are at, one of the most important considerations at your first consultation is whether you feel comfortable with your fertility specialist.

Your initial consultation will usually last 30 minutes, and you will be asked about your fertility journey up to this point, as well as in-depth questions on your medical and family history, either as an individual or for both you and your partner if you are attending as a couple.

This first visit will be the opportunity to get to know your fertility doctor and the clinic and for them to get to know you and it is essential you feel comfortable enough to ask questions.

3 questions to ask in your first fertility consultation

  1. What diagnosis might explain why we haven’t been able to conceive?

Your doctor may not be able to tell you the exact cause of infertility at the first visit as we may need to arrange additional testing to help us determine the cause.

However, be aware that potentially one in five cases of fertility cannot be explained. Unexplained infertility is thought to affect 15% to 30% of couples and individuals and is when they have undergone all the appropriate tests and no cause is found. It is most likely to involve issues with egg or sperm quality or problems with the uterus or fallopian tubes that aren’t identifiable during normal fertility testing. Unexplained fertility can still be successfully treated with fertility drugs, IUI and IVF.

  1. What treatments do you recommend for us and what are their potential success rates?

At Aria Fertility we offer several different treatment options. This could be fertility drugs as a standalone treatment or in combination with IUI or IVF. Your fertility doctor will be able to give you information on the success rates of the clinic and advice on how successful a particular treatment option is likely to be, taking into account your age and medical history.

  1. How much does IVF treatment cost?

It can often be embarrassing to ask questions about cost, but fertility treatment is a significant investment. Once a treatment pathway is recommended by our doctors, our Patient Coordinator Team will provide you with a comprehensive breakdown of costs, including any add-ons or medication that have been discussed.

At Aria Fertility, we believe in 360 support. Once you’ve made the informed choice to proceed, our dedicated team, which is composed of your fertility specialist, fertility nurse and patient coordinator, will help you chart the course of your fertility treatment. You will also have the support of a fertility coach who can advise you on nutrition, lifestyle changes, and complementary medicine as a supplement to your medical care.

To arrange a consultation with Aria Fertility, call +44 (0) 203 263 6025.

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Success of egg freezing highlighted in new study

According to HFEA, the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority, cycles of egg freezing have increased tenfold in the UK in the space of a decade, as more and more women start families later in life and look for ways to preserve their fertility.

Now, a large-scale US report on elective fertility preservation outcomes has found that using frozen eggs are a more efficient option than IVF with fresh eggs or embryos at a later age.

The researchers found that 70% of women who froze eggs when they were younger than 38 and then thawed at least 20 eggs later went on to have a baby. In comparison, fewer than 30% of women undergoing IVF at age 40 using fresh eggs became pregnant and fewer than 20% gave birth to live babies.

“Our findings shed light on the factors that track with successful births from egg freezing, which include careful screening of embryos to be thawed and implanted,” says lead author Sarah Druckenmiller Cascante at the department of obstetrics and gynaecology at NYU Langone.

“A better understanding of the live birth rate from egg freezing for age-related fertility decline is necessary to inform patient decision-making.”

Within the study, published in the journal Fertility and Sterility, 543 patients participated with an average age of 38 years old at the time of the first egg freeze, which is older than the generally recommended age to freeze eggs which is 35 years old or younger.

Overall, the study established that 39% of women between 27 and 44 years old, with a majority between 35 and 40 years old at egg freeze, had a least one child from their frozen eggs. Across all ages, women who thawed more than 20 mature eggs had a 58% live birth rate and women under 38 years old who had 20 or more mature eggs thawed achieved a 70% live birth rate per patient.

The study also showed that preimplantation genetic screening with embryos from frozen and eventually thawed eggs resulted in lower miscarriage rates and higher live birth rates per transfer.

The growing popularity of egg freezing

Awareness of fertility preservation is gaining traction in the media with celebrities such as Love Island’s Amy Hart speaking candidly about their decision to freeze eggs. There are many reasons why a woman may choose to delay starting their family, which may include not being in the right place in terms of their relationship or career, or not in a financial position to proceed at this point.

The improvement in the clinical methods used to collect the eggs, assess them for maturity and viability, and then freeze them has also contributed to the success of egg freezing. Previously, the slow freezing process had a survival rate of approximately 30%, but the current method of vitrification means survival rates of over 90% typically.

For more advice on the benefits of egg freezing, call +44 (0) 203 263 6025 to arrange a consultation.

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AI and IVF: the role of Artificial Intelligence in fertility treatment

Since the birth of the first baby conceived using in vitro fertilisation in the UK more than four decades ago there have been significant advances, but for many couples IVF remains an emotionally and physically challenging process that may not lead to conception.

Recently, much of the focus has been on the role that Artificial Intelligence (AI) can play in improving the current live birth rate per embryo transferred. This currently stands at 25% and 19% respectively for patients aged 35 to 37 and 38 to 39 according to the most recent figures from HFEA.

“Artificial Intelligence (AI) for gamete and embryo selection has marked the start of a new era in IVF and is here to stay,” explains Xavier Viñals Gonzalez, Aria’s Senior Clinical Embryologist and Laboratory Manager.

“We can now get a deeper level of information which was not available to embryologists before. AI systems are already key for research and development in the field of IVF and will certainly improve our understanding of egg and sperm quality and embryo development.”

AI and IVF

Artificial intelligence describes technology that mimics human cognitive capacity to make predictions based on evolving data. In the IVF lab, it can aid the embryologist to make a rapid and accurate assessment of the health of a gamete or embryo.

Artificial intelligence is used as extension to time lapse monitoring that takes images of embryos at intervals of ten minutes, allowing our embryologists to monitor every stage of embryo development.

AI systems can review a massive amount of data, far more than humans can process, including hundreds of images from each developing embryo. Some AI algorithms are trained to predict clinical pregnancy, others to unveil genetic make-up of the embryos.

By analysing thousands and thousands of these time lapse images and comparing those that go onto successful outcome to those that don’t, AI uses this data to grade the embryos with greatly improved accuracy.

This process is always overseen by our embryologists who review the selection process before implantation but, as Xavier explains, “the assistance of AI systems to daily laboratory workflow will offer patients outcome optimisation and provide better understanding of their chances along reproductive journey.”

A study published last year in the Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics discussed how AI can be used as an essential component in a fertility clinic lab’s quality management system. It could provide “systemic, early detection of adverse outcomes, and identify clinically relevant shifts in pregnancy rates”.

Currently, Aria Laboratories continue to evaluate the efficacy of time-lapse parameters and artificial intelligence algorithms as predictors of embryo potential with the main focus on delivering high success rates to our patients, whilst minimising multiple pregnancy. To learn more about the use of AI in the Aria Fertility lab, call (0) 203 263 6025 to arrange a consultation.

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