INFERTILITY affects a staggering one in six couples in the UK. Since Patrick Steptoe and I celebrated the first IVF baby in 1978, more than one million babies have been born worldwide using this treatment.
Yet many people are unaware of the treatments that are available, or indeed the causes of the illness.
To help raise awareness of infertility in the UK, CHILD, the National Infertility Support Network initiated the UK's first ever National Infertility Day on June 15, of which I am Patron. This will coincide with World Infertility Month.
CHILD is bringing infertility patient associations together to host the largest and most comprehensive conference on infertility ever held in this country.
This will be aimed at anyone with an interest in infertility and we will be looking at all types of treatments, including alternative treatments and nutrition, as well as dealing with premature menopause and miscarriage.
It is hoped that the day and the conference will demonstrate a true partnership for all those working towards helping those suffering from infertility, in the best possible way to suit patient needs.
If readers wish to support us or would like more details on National Infertility Day they can log onto www.nationalinfertilityday.com or call (0113) 237 0999.
PROFESSOR ROBERT EDWARDS
Patron of National Infertility Day
Chief Editor, Reproductive
BioMedicine Online
(www.rbmonline.com)
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article