Only half of people in the UK who are dealing with infertility or treatment and want psychological support actually receive it, according to a study published in Human Fertility.
The study examined the financial, emotional and relationship effects of involuntary childlessness and treatment and the satisfaction with support from professionals.
A total of 796 participants in the UK completed an online survey. The average age of participants when they started treatment was 32.59 years. Participants had on average been trying to conceive for 4.47 years, with 9 per cent trying for 10 years or more.
Of the 554 participants who had been through treatment at least once, 36 per cent had a successful pregnancy, 68 per cent experienced treatment which did not result in at least one pregnancy and 31 per cent experienced a pregnancy but no live birth at least once.
The responses revealed high levels of distress, with 42 per cent experiencing suicidal feelings at least occasionally. Those most at risk of distress and suicidal feelings had experienced unsuccessful treatment outcomes, spent longer trying to conceive and reported some relationship strains.
While 75 per cent said they would like to have received counselling if it had been free, only 45 per cent received such counselling and 54 per cent of these people had to fund at least some of it themselves.
While counselling was generally reported to be useful, there was no difference in distress between those who did and did not attend counselling.
The authors say that while advances have been made in the availability of funded fertility treatment and psychological support, distress levels remain high and there remains a lack of appropriate, funded support.
