Global growth in interest in reproductive medicine

A New Reality: The Desire to Have Children After the Pandemic

All over the world, there is an unprecedented increase in demand for the services of reproductive medicine clinics. New Zealand specialists describe the current situation as the most active ever observed. The medical director of the Fertility Associates Wellington clinic, Dr. Andrew Murray, noted that after the lifting of strict lockdown restrictions, the number of inquiries to their center has significantly increased. Initially, this was attributed to deferred demand: people simply had not been able to make appointments during the lockdown. However, over time, it became clear that the pandemic had a deeper impact, prompting a reevaluation of core values. People began to redefine their priorities, and the theme of starting a family came to the forefront.

“I think this is explained by the fact that the coronavirus made people aware of what is really important to them,” explains Dr. Murray. He emphasizes that many patients admit that the desire to have children has become their primary goal after a long period of uncertainty.

The figures related to reproductive medicine speak for themselves. The number of women seeking a sperm donor at the end of 2020 more than doubled compared to 2017. This has led to waiting times of over two years in some clinics. The number of patients interested in freezing their eggs has also increased dramatically, with a rise of over 500% between 2016 and 2020. The age structure has also changed: while a few years ago, the average age of women seeking help was 37, today, it is mainly patients around 34 years old.

International Context: United States, United Kingdom, France

Global trends confirm what is happening in New Zealand. In the United States, the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) noted a significant increase in the number of IVF cycles and egg freezing after the pandemic. Many clinics are urgently expanding their services and hiring staff to cope with the influx of patients.

In the United Kingdom, the National Health Service (NHS) and major private centers are recording an active increase in requests, particularly among women under 35. The demand for egg freezing and sperm donation programs has risen significantly. Experts attribute this situation to women's willingness not to postpone motherhood despite social and economic challenges.

In France, according to the Agency for Biomedicine, the number of assisted reproductive technology (ART) procedures in 2021-2022 increased by nearly 30% compared to pre-pandemic levels. This increase is particularly notable among single women and lesbian couples, thanks to legislative reform that now makes IVF accessible to all women, regardless of their marital status.

What Are the Most Commonly Chosen Protocols?

In a context of growing interest in reproductive medicine, three areas are particularly in demand. Traditional in vitro fertilization (IVF), used for a wide range of indications, remains at the forefront. The second place goes to IVF with egg donation, often chosen by women with low ovarian reserve, after the age of 38 or after unsuccessful attempts with their own biological material. The third area is IVF with double donation, which uses both eggs and sperm from donors. This option is particularly appealing for single women, as well as in cases of severe hereditary diseases or total loss of fertility.

According to specialists' observations, the success of protocols using donor material largely depends on the state of the endometrium, adequate medical preparation, and the possibility of performing preimplantation genetic diagnosis. All of this not only increases the chances of embryo implantation but also minimizes health risks for the future child. As a result, donor protocols are becoming increasingly popular, especially among older patients, as well as those who wish to become mothers without being in a couple.

Modern reproductive medicine responds to the new challenges of our time by offering flexible and scientifically-based solutions for the most diverse situations. In a changing world, the ability to exercise one’s right to parenthood becomes not only a medical necessity but also a social necessity.