The Fertility Network, a UK charity, has raised concerns about potentially misleading information being given by some private fertility clinics regarding egg-freezing success rates.
An analysis by the Fertility Network suggests that 41% of UK clinics offering egg freezing may violate advertising regulations. The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) prohibits the use of “false or misleading information” in such advertisements.
The UK fertility regulator, the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA), also shares concerns about the accuracy of information provided by clinics. Egg freezing does not guarantee a successful pregnancy.
Social egg freezing, the process of freezing eggs for non-medical reasons to preserve fertility for future childbearing, is witnessing a significant rise in popularity.
Egg freezing is typically not covered by the National Health Service (NHS) unless medically necessary due to treatments like chemotherapy or gender reassignment surgery.
The number of egg-freezing procedures in the UK has seen a sharp rise, from nearly 400 in 2011 to over 4,000 in 2021, according to HFEA data.
The specific nature of the misleading information being provided by clinics is not specified. The impact of potentially unrealistic expectations on women considering egg freezing is unclear.
This situation highlights the importance of transparency and evidence-based information dissemination in the field of fertility treatments.
Egg Freezing Clinics Accused of Misleading Potential Patients The Fertility Network, a UK charity, has exposed potentially misleading practices by some private fertility clinics offering egg freezing. Here’s a breakdown of the concerns and the importance of transparency in fertility treatments.
Misleading Success Rate Claims:
The Fertility Network’s analysis indicates that 41% of UK clinics offering egg freezing might be providing misleading information on their websites.
These clinics advertise high thaw rates (80-95%), which represent the percentage of eggs that survive the freezing and thawing process.
However, they fail to clarify that the rate is just one step. The crucial factor for patients is the much lower live birth rate achieved through In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) using frozen eggs.
Lower Live Birth Rates:
The success rate of having a baby using frozen eggs via IVF is significantly lower than using fresh eggs (around 20-30% per IVF cycle depending on age). This rate can drop as low as 5% for women in their 40s.
Clinics not mentioning these crucial live birth rates downplay the challenges of achieving pregnancy through egg freezing.
Importance of Informed Consent:
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) emphasizes that egg freezing is a significant financial and emotional commitment.
Patients deserve proper information on success rates and costs to make informed decisions.
The lack of clarity from some clinics raises concerns about patients potentially facing unrealistic expectations.
The specific nature of misleading information used by clinics remains undisclosed.
The long-term impact of unrealistic expectations on women considering egg freezing is unclear.
Need for Transparency:
This situation highlights the need for stricter regulations and transparent communication of data by fertility clinics.
Patients deserve accurate information on all stages of the process, including thaw rates, live birth rates, and factors influencing success.
