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Doctors' Group Expands Definition of 'Infertility'

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com.

By Physician’s Briefing Staff HealthDay Reporter

WEDNESDAY, Oct. 25, 2023 -- A new, more inclusive definition of infertility has been crafted by the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM).

While the guidance for heterosexual couples with medical reasons for being unable to conceive still exists, the definition has now been expanded to include other groups who struggle to build a family, including same-sex couples and single people.

For heterosexual couples, the definition of infertility continues to be trying for a year but not conceiving for women younger than 35 years and for six months for those aged 35 years and older, Rachel Ashby, M.D., director of the Donor Egg and Gestational Carrier Program at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, told CNN.

On one hand, "infertility is a disease state. It's a condition that needs treatment," Ashby said. "Then the other thing that stands out is the idea that for many people, they can't get pregnant without the use of donor gametes. If I'm a single woman, if I'm in a same-sex relationship as a woman, or if I'm two men, I need donor gametes. This is another tenet of infertility that's inclusive of the LGBT community."

The new definition says that infertility is the "inability to achieve a successful pregnancy based on a patient's medical, sexual, and reproductive history, age, physical findings, diagnostic testing," or "the need for medical intervention," such as donor eggs or sperm.

"This revised definition reflects that all persons, regardless of marital status, sexual orientation, or gender identity, deserve equal access to reproductive medicine. This inclusive definition helps ensure that anyone seeking to build a family has equitable access to infertility treatment and care," ASRM CEO Jared Robins, M.D., said in a society news release. The ASRM looks forward to "working with our members, policymakers and others to normalize this definition," Robins added.

"By adopting a more inclusive and accurate definition of infertility, the medical community can better serve and support those in need of reproductive assistance. It not only promotes transparency, but also helps reduce the stigma often associated with fertility problems," Aimee Eyvazzadeh, M.D., a San Francisco-based reproductive endocrinologist, told CNN. "There are doctors who feel compelled to tell patients that insurance won't cover a service because they don't meet a 'definition,' even if it's unrelated to insurance coverage. The definition means a lot to fertility doctors and patients, and I'm thrilled to see this change."

CNN Article

Disclaimer: Statistical data in medical articles provide general trends and do not pertain to individuals. Individual factors can vary greatly. Always seek personalized medical advice for individual healthcare decisions.

© 2024 HealthDay. All rights reserved.

Posted October 2023

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