Digital health editor, BBC News<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Many fertility patients in the UK are being offered unnecessary add-on treatments that have little or no proof of improving the likelihood of pregnancy, a report suggests. <\/p>\n Add-ons are optional, non-essential treatments some private clinics offer in addition to proven treatments, such in-vitro fertilisation (IVF).<\/p>\n According to the regulator, the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) , 73% of 1,500 patients surveyed between September and October 2024 said they had used an add-on in their latest round of treatment.<\/p>\n Most said they had done so based on the clinic’s recommendation.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n And only about one in every three said the possible risks had been explained to them.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n HFEA director Clare Ettinghausen told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “This is people themselves reporting on whether they took perhaps an additional supplement, like a vitamin tablet, or had a test or perhaps something like acupuncture. <\/p>\n “We have looked at the evidence… they are not necessarily going to increase the chance of having a baby. <\/p>\n “So we are worried that people are spending money unnecessarily.”<\/p>\n Some of the add-ons can cost thousands of pounds.<\/p>\n And while the HFEA has no power to stop or fine clinics, it is reminding them they must give patients a clear idea of what add-ons involve, how likely they are to help and how much they cost.<\/p>\n![\"Getty](\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/480\/cpsprodpb\/7030\/live\/9b8e65f0-0a1f-11f0-8d47-cd2a5fa76f5c.jpg.webp\")
Getty Images<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\nSpending money<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n