The World Health Organization (WHO) has announced the adoption of its first global guidelines dedicated to the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of infertility.

According to the WHO statement, the document includes around forty recommendations and aims to transform approaches to reproductive medicine worldwide, making care more accessible, evidence-based, and equitable for people facing difficulties with conception.

The decision to develop these guidelines comes in response to a growing global challenge: WHO estimates that roughly one in six people of reproductive age experience infertility at some point in their lives.

The guidelines emphasize the need for countries to integrate fertility-related services into their national health plans.

This includes both educating the public about factors that influence the ability to conceive and ensuring access to early screening, diagnostic procedures, and treatment. Particular attention is given to prevention: people should be informed about the roles of age, smoking, low physical activity, nutrition, and other lifestyle factors that affect the reproductive system. WHO recommends implementing such educational programs in schools, clinics, and primary care services so individuals are aware of risks in advance and understand how to reduce them.

For those experiencing difficulties with conception, the guidelines recommend following a step-by-step clinical pathway: starting with simple, low-cost, non-surgical interventions — counseling, fertility assessments, ovulation tracking — and moving toward more advanced methods, including intrauterine insemination and in vitro fertilization, when necessary. The document stresses that interventions must be tailored to the individual, based on medical indications and the patient’s specific circumstances.

A special section addresses social and psychological aspects. WHO notes that infertility is often accompanied by stress, shame, social isolation, and significant financial strain. As a result, one of the recommendations is to ensure access to psychological support and promote a respectful, non-judgmental attitude toward people navigating this experience.

The authors acknowledge that scientific evidence is still limited in several areas — such as fertility preservation, donation, and the impact of chronic diseases. However, the new guidelines provide a foundation for health systems around the world to develop more effective, ethical, and equitable reproductive care.