12% of Births in Spain Are Due to Assisted Reproduction: SEF 2022 Report Data
Assisted reproduction is an increasingly relevant topic in Spanish society, where data shows a significant rise in the number of treatments carried out year after year. According to the 2022 National Activity Registry, published by the Ministry of Health and the Spanish Fertility Society (SEF) in October 2023, 12% of births in Spain in 2022 resulted from assisted reproduction techniques. This percentage highlights the importance of these techniques for many people wishing to start a family and underscores the crucial role of advancements in reproductive medicine today.
Stability of Assisted Reproduction Treatments in 2022
In 2022, a total of 167,195 in vitro fertilisation (IVF) cycles and 31,635 artificial insemination (AI) cycles were performed in Spain. Despite fluctuations in demand for these procedures in previous years, especially due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the report shows stability in the number of treatments performed. This consistency led to the birth of 39,546 babies via assisted reproduction techniques, representing 12% of all births in the country, close to the figures from 2021.
"Although treatment numbers have remained steady, it’s worth considering that in 2021, many treatments postponed due to the pandemic were carried out, so this apparent maintenance could mask real growth," noted Dr. Irene Cuevas, coordinator of the SEF Registry Committee.
This context of stability highlights the pandemic’s impact on family planning and assisted reproduction, as many people who delayed treatments in 2020 and 2021 chose to resume them the following year. This situation underlines the importance of a flexible healthcare system that allows for the recovery of pending treatments and promotes equitable access to assisted reproduction technologies.
Advances in Fertility Procedure Safety
A standout point in the 2022 report is the increased safety of fertility procedures. There is a rising trend in performing blastocyst-stage embryo transfers and in using genetic analyses on these embryos to enhance success rates and minimise risks.
The blastocyst, which develops between days 5 and 6 post-fertilisation, allows specialists to select embryos with a higher likelihood of implantation. Additionally, the report highlights that in 90% of cycles where embryos were cultured to the blastocyst stage, a single embryo transfer was chosen. This practice has been shown to reduce the risk of multiple pregnancies—a significant risk factor in assisted reproduction—and optimise reproductive outcomes by lowering pregnancy-related complications.
The application of genetic analysis to embryos not only helps identify possible chromosomal abnormalities but also increases precision in selecting healthy embryos, thus improving IVF treatment success rates. The reduction of multiple pregnancies and improved health of transferred embryos represent a fundamental advance in reproductive medicine and the quality of life for those opting for these treatments.
The Growing Demand for Oocyte Vitrification for Fertility Preservation
Another notable aspect of the report is the increase in oocyte vitrification use. In 2022, approximately 2,500 more egg freezing procedures were carried out compared to the previous year. This cryopreservation technique enables eggs to be preserved in an optimal fertility state, giving individuals the opportunity to postpone motherhood without compromising their chances of conceiving in the future.
"More and more women are using eggs they froze when their fertility was optimal, either to become mothers after overcoming illness or upon reaching their forties," added Dr. Cuevas.
Vitrification has gained popularity for both medical and social reasons. Young women wishing to preserve their eggs for future use turn to this technique, which offers a clinical success rate of 50% with fresh embryos and 58% with frozen embryos. Fertility preservation has become a valuable option for those seeking to plan their family life according to personal and professional circumstances, ensuring that they can do so without worrying about the natural ageing of their eggs.
The Importance of Public Policies to Address the Demographic Crisis
In a context where Spain's birth rate continues to decline, SEF president Juan José Espinós has highlighted the need for social and economic policies to complement advances in reproductive medicine and address the country's demographic crisis.
"Although fertility preservation is achieving success rates comparable to egg donation, many women still lack access to these techniques. We need to improve access to earlier motherhood or, failing that, facilitate fertility preservation," stated Espinós at the 16th SEF Registry Workshop, where the report findings were presented.
The growing demand for assisted reproduction techniques shows that many people in Spain face difficulties conceiving naturally, whether for medical, age, or lifestyle reasons. For Espinós, a national fertility pact is essential to address this issue, promoting policies to remove access barriers to assisted reproduction techniques and addressing inequalities between autonomous communities.
Regional Disparities and the Need for a National Fertility Pact
Disparities in access to assisted reproduction treatments across different regions of Spain are another issue SEF highlights in its report. Some autonomous communities offer broader coverage of these treatments within the public health system, while in others, people must rely on private clinics, leading to increased costs.
This regional imbalance directly affects those seeking access to assisted reproduction techniques and limits conception possibilities in areas where treatment availability is lower. A national fertility pact that includes greater investment in assisted reproduction and the development of economic support policies would help reduce disparities and provide equal opportunities for everyone.
Future Perspectives in Assisted Reproduction in Spain
The data presented in the SEF 2022 Registry reflects a moment of stability and consolidation in assisted reproduction treatments in Spain. With 12% of births resulting from these techniques, their importance in today's society is clear. Improvements in procedure safety, increased vitrification use, and the adoption of policies addressing the demographic crisis are essential elements in ensuring future generations have access to effective and accessible fertility treatments.
Assisted reproduction will continue to be a significant pillar in reproductive medicine, with advanced technologies that will keep improving success rates and providing new opportunities for those wishing to start a family.
Would you like to deepen your knowledge in assisted reproduction advancements and stay at the forefront of reproductive medicine? Discover our online courses in assisted reproduction and embryology, and gain the tools to transform lives and support those aspiring to build a family.