Building a family with our partners is a universal dream worldwide. However, for many, this aspiration remains elusive. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that approximately 17.5% of adults, or 1 in 6 people worldwide, are grappling with infertility.
Infertility refers to the inability to conceive a child despite actively trying for a year or more without using contraception. But what exactly is causing such a high infertility rate? The reasons can be complex and multifaceted. Infertility can impact both men and women and can stem from various causes, including reproductive issues, hormonal imbalances, structural abnormalities, genetic factors, age-related factors, or underlying health conditions.
Infertility Trends in Hong Kong
In the case of Hong Kong, a 2016 study estimated the infertility rate among married couples to be around 15-20%, which is similar to the global average. Factors contributing to infertility in Hong Kong include increased maternal age, lifestyle factors, and medical conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome. Research indicates that among infertility cases, male and female factors each contribute to 30% of the cases, while the remaining cases involve shared or unknown reasons.
Delayed Marriage and Parenthood
Age is the primary factor behind female infertility in Hong Kong. The median age of first marriage for women in Hong Kong was 30.4 years in 2022, indicating a trend towards delayed marriage and childbearing. Additionally, many Hong Kong women are career-focused and tend to postpone having children, with only 59% of married couples having their first child within the first three years of marriage.
Challenges in Accessing Assisted Reproductive Services in Hong Kong
While advancements in medical technology have provided hope for couples facing infertility, the reality in Hong Kong paints a more complex picture. For those hoping to start a family, significant barriers remain in accessing effective and reliable assisted reproductive services.
Despite the high demand for infertility services, only nine hospitals within Hong Kong's public healthcare system have gynaecological departments that provide assisted reproductive support. Of these, only three—Queen Mary Hospital, Prince of Wales Hospital, and Kwong Wah Hospital—offer in-vitro fertilization (IVF) clinics or fertility assessment services. Even then, these public options impose an age limit of 40 for female patients.
The path to treatment is further complicated by lengthy waitlists, with couples facing waits of up to three years from registration to actually receiving care. This protracted timeline poses a considerable challenge for couples seeking to start a family.
Read more: List of Licensed Centers for Assisted Reproduction
Adding to the challenge, the high cost of assisted reproductive treatments at private clinics and hospitals presents another significant barrier. With limited medical insurance coverage for infertility services in Hong Kong, many couples are left to bear the entire financial burden of these expensive procedures. This situation creates a dilemma – either abandon the dream of having children or shoulder the heavy financial costs of private healthcare.
Hong Kong Government's Response and Initiatives
In response to addressing the challenges surrounding assisted reproductive treatments and boosting the city's declining birth rate, the Hong Kong government has introduced some measures to support couples struggling with infertility.
One key initiative is the introduction of tax deductions of up to HKD 100,000 in the 2024-25 tax year to cover the expenses of assisted reproductive services. Additionally, the Hospital Authority has pledged to increase the quota for IVF treatments in the public healthcare system from 1,100 to over 1,800 within the next five years.
While these initiatives provide some relief, the issue of infertility in Hong Kong remains a complex and multifaceted challenge. Continued efforts to address social, economic, and medical factors, along with increased public awareness and support, will be crucial in helping couples overcome the emotional and physical toll of this condition.
Importance of Proactive Measures and Timely Planning
One crucial aspect of addressing infertility is understanding the impact of age on a woman's fertility, particularly after reaching 40. This underscores the importance of timely family planning discussions and proactive measures for those aspiring to have children.
It is recommended that women of reproductive age have open and honest conversations with their partners about family planning goals and expectations. By engaging in these discussions early on, couples can better understand their fertility timeline and take steps to maximize their chances of conceiving within the optimal fertility window. These steps may involve adjusting life plans, seeking medical advice, or considering assisted reproductive technologies if necessary.
For single women who do not have a partner, egg freezing can be a proactive measure to preserve their fertility potential for the future. By undergoing this procedure while in their prime reproductive years, women can give themselves the option to conceive later in life, should they choose to do so. This strategy can provide a sense of control and insurance against the natural decline in fertility that occurs with age.
Read more: Egg Freezing – Taking Control of Fertility
Conclusion
For many, the journey to parenthood is not an easy one. We should raise awareness about infertility and provide support and treatment for those in need. At the same time, the government and society should also take measures to create a more favourable environment for having children, so that more people can realize their dreams of starting a family.
Reference
- World Health Organization. (2023, April 4). 1 in 6 people globally affected by infertility: WHO. Www.who.int. https://www.who.int/news/item/04-04-2023-1-in-6-people-globally-affected-by-infertility
- Tiu, M. M., Hong, J. Y., Cheng, V. S., Kam, C. Y., & Ng, B. T. (2018, December). Lived experience of infertility among Hong Kong Chinese women. International journal of qualitative studies on health and well-being. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6319451/
- The Government of HKSAR. (2024, March 27). Government reminds public receiving assisted reproductive services to keep supporting documents for future tax deduction claims. Press Release – Government reminds public receiving assisted reproductive services to keep supporting documents for future tax deduction claims. https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202403/27/P2024032700366.htm
