Nearly half of patients undergoing fertility treatment experience suicidal thoughts, reveals survey in UK

A recent health survey has suggested that one in 10 fertility patients often experience suicidal thoughts. In its report, Fertility Network UK has highlighted the "far-reaching trauma" of suffering from infertility and undergoing In vitro fertilisation (IVF) in the UK. Notably, four in 10 respondents, with 98 per cent of them being women, revealed that they had encountered suicidal thoughts.

About 30 per cent of respondents in the survey said that they encountered suicidal thoughts "occasionally" or "sometimes," while 10 per cent of them accepted experiencing such thoughts "often or all the time." Nearly half of the respondents (47 per cent) revealed that they experienced depression while undergoing treatment, while a majority (83 per cent) acknowledged that they often felt worried, frustrated and sad. The Fertility Network UK talked to 1,300 fertility patients in the United Kingdom about their relationships, mental health, careers and finances.




Two per cent of the surveyed patients said that their relationship with their partners ended due to fertility treatment, while 59 per cent accepted that their relationship deteriorated. Moreover, about 63 per cent of the respondents stated they had to pay for their treatment. On average, fertility treatment in the UK costs £13,750. The survey report also suggested that around one in seven couples might have difficulty conceiving, and about one in 10 couples spent over £30,000.

According to the chief executive of Fertility Network UK, Gwenda Burns, infertility deserves medical help and support like any other disease.

FAQs:

1. How many fertility patients accepted experiencing suicidal thoughts?
   One in 10 fertility patients accepted experiencing suicidal thoughts "all the time."
2. How many patients were surveyed by Fertility Network UK?
   The Fertility Network UK surveyed 1,300 patients.