A massive review of 160 IVF "add-on" treatments has revealed that most lack scientific validation. These procedures, which are part of an £18 billion global industry, may actually jeopardize women's health or reduce conception success.
The £70,000 cost of unverified fertility tests
For many patients, the quest for parenthood involves more than just standard medical procedures. Natasha Whiting, a 39-year-old woman who underwent three failed IVF attempts this past May, serves as a poignant example of the financial burden these extras impose. Over a four-year period, Whiting and her partner spent roughly £60,000 on IVF, but they also spent an additional £10,000 on various "add-on" treatments.
These extras, which can range from £150 to £3,000 each, often include tests for things like the uterine microbiome. In Whiting's case, a microbiome analysis cost over £2,000, supplemented by hundreds of pounds in blood tests. despite the expense, the results showed nothing was wrong, highlighting the potential for these tests to offer little more than expensive uncertainty to those in desperate situations.
The Lancet's warning on 160 unproven procedures
The scale of the issue is underscored by a recent study published in The Lancet Obstetrics, Gynaecology & Women's Health journal. According to the report,over 70 percent of IVF patients are now paying for these supplemental treatments, a figure that has grown significantly over the last decade. The researchers concluded that the majority of these 160 reviewed add-ons are not supported by reliable evidence.
Dr. Sarah Lensen, a senior research fellow at the University of Melbourne's Department of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Newborn Health, noted that these unproven add-ons can lead to unnecessary medical procedures and significant financial strain. Because most of these services are not classified as drugs, they do not undergo the rigorous clinical trials required to prove they are both safe and effective .
Risks of ovarian scarring from platelet injections
Beyond the financial drain, some add-ons carry tangible medical dangers. One specific procedure mentioned in the report is the use of platelet-rich plasma ovarian injections. While these are marketed as a way to improve the quality and quantity of eggs, the study found no proof of their effectiveness.
As reported in the study, these injections can lead to serious complications, including infection, bleeding, and ovarian scarring. Dr. Ippokratis Sarris, a consultant in reproductive medicine at King's College Hospital in London, warned that while many doctors may believe they are helping, "belief is not the same as fact." He emphasized that there is a pattern of bad practice within the industry that requires urgent correction.
The HFEA's struggle to police the £18 billion market
Regulating a global market valued at £18 billion annually presents a massive challenge for oversight bodies. The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) currently uses a "traffic-light" grading systtem to rate the efficacy of these treatments, but the organization faces a significant limitation: it lacks the legal power to prevent clinics from offering unproven services. Professor Tim Child of the University of Oxford, who sits on the HFEA board, described the current landscape as a "minefield."
This regulatory gap leaves several critical questions unanswered. It remains unclear how much of the industry's growth is driven by genuine medical belief versus pure profit maximization. Furthermore, the rise of "miracle" treatments endorsed on platforms like TikTok creates a vacuum of truth that regulators are currently unequipped to fill. As patients increasingly demand these services,the industry faces a growing tension between consumer desire and scientific reality.
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