Unlock the Wellness of Assisted Reproductive Technology in Europe - Health

Increasing Use of Assisted Reproductive Technology in Europe

Women in Europe are experiencing a rise in the number of In vitro fertilization ( IVF ) and intrauterine insemination ( IUI ) cycles , as presented at the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology 's 40th Annual Meeting in Amsterdam . Data from the ESHRE European IVF Monitoring Consortium showed a significant increase in the utilization of Assisted reproductive technology ( ART ) in 2021 compared to the previous year.

The report highlighted that a total of 1,103,633 ART treatment cycles were reported by 1,382 clinics across 37 European countries in 2021 , marking a 20 % increase from 2020 . This increase is particularly noteworthy considering the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on treatment cycles in 2020 . The data also revealed specific numbers for various types of treatment cycles , including IVF , intracytoplasmic sperm injection ( ICSI ) , frozen embryo replacement , preimplantation genetic testing , and more.

 The lead author , Dr. Jesper Smeenk , emphasized the continuous growth in reported treatment numbers and medically assisted reproduction ( MAR)-derived live births in Europe . The data collected by the ESHRE EIM Consortium over the years have played a crucial role in enhancing the transparency and vigilance in the field of reproductive medicine.

Unlock the Wellness of Assisted Reproductive Technology in Europe

Stable Pregnancy Rates and Treatment Outcomes

The clinical pregnancy rates per aspiration and per transfer for IVF and ICSI treatments remained stable between 2020 and 2021 . Additionally , the pregnancy rates per transfer for frozen embryo replacement and fresh embryo transfer from egg donations showed slight improvements in 2021 compared to the previous year . However , there was a slight decrease in pregnancy rates for frozen oocyte replacements.

The data also indicated an increase in the use of one embryo per transfer , with percentages rising from 57.9 % in 2020 to 60.5 % in 2021 . The proportion of singleton , twin , and triplet deliveries in 2021 demonstrated a shift compared to 2020 , with singleton deliveries being the most common outcome .

 The report highlighted the importance of collaborative efforts and standardized reporting in advancing reproductive medicine , aiming to elevate clinical standards and patient outcomes across Europe.

Significance of Data Collection and Reporting

The ESHRE EIM report represents the most extensive data collection on medically assisted reproduction in Europe . Since 1997 , ART data has been aggregated and analyzed by the EIM , providing valuable insights into the trends and outcomes of fertility treatments in the region . The data collected for 2021 from national registries or medical associations in 37 European countries offer a comprehensive overview of the use of ART across the continent.

 It is essential to interpret the findings with caution due to variations in data collection methods and the completeness of reported data among European countries . Continuous efforts to improve data collection practices are crucial for ensuring the quality and accuracy of information in the field of reproductive medicine.

In conclusion , the increasing utilization of assisted reproductive technology in Europe is shaping the landscape of fertility treatments , with a focus on improving patient outcomes and clinical standards . The data presented at the ESHRE 40th Annual Meeting provide valuable insights into the trends and developments in ART across European countries , highlighting the importance of collaborative efforts and standardized reporting in advancing reproductive medicine.