Estonian State Agency of Medicines data shows that 2863 assisted reproductive technology (ART) cycle procedures took place in 2017. Compared with 2016, it has increased by 5%. Over the past three years (2014–2016), the number of ART cycles decreased. However, the level of 2013, when there were 3097 ART cycles, has not been achieved yet. Data is available at health statistics and health research database.
Infertility treatment increased most – about by one third - in age group 41 and older. Almost half of the ART cycles were performed for age group 34 and younger. However, compared to 2016, the number of ART cycles in this age group has decreased by 2%.
The most – about by one third – increased use of IUI method. In IUI sperm is placed directly in the woman’s womb with a special catheter. IUI is performed for male infertility or for female factor infertility due to cervical issues. The costs of this method is not covered by state.
Most common used ART method was ICSI – 36% of all ART cycles were performed using ICSI method. ICSI method is used in case of sever male infertility. Another popular method was FET – 33% of all ART cycles were performed using FET method.
In previous years most commonly two embryos were transferred during one procedure. In 2017 this trend changed and the most common was the single embryo transplantation. Therefor the number of transferred embryos and zygotes decreased about 8% compared to 2016.
Last year the fertility treatment increased, but national spending on that declined. Th artificial insemination related cost formed 1.398 million euros total, which was tenth less than in 2016.
In 2016 with clinical pregnancy ended 803 artificial inseminations, which is 29% of performed ART cycles.
In 2017, 430 children was born via artificial insemination in Estonia according to Estonian Medical Birth Registry. Which is 61 children more than in 2016 and it accounts 3% of all live births.