Fertility tests promoted on internet slammed by doctors panel

The promotion and use of "scientifically unsound tests and treatment for fertility problems" through the internet has been criticised by leading doctors today.

A review published by the Scientific Advisory Committee of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG), has slammed internet health sites which offer immunological tests to couples who are having trouble conceiving.

The RCOG has said that such tests are largely unnecessary as there is "no good scientific evidence" to support the idea that "reproductive failure is due to immunological abnormalities".

Infertility affects one-in-seven couples and recurrent miscarriage (the loss of three or more pregnancies) affects one-in-100 women.

Recurrent miscarriage may also be unexplained, or due to a number of causes, including genetic defects, hormonal abnormalities, blood clotting disorders, infection, and uterine or cervical abnormalities.

Professor Lesley Regan, who carried out the review on behalf of the RCOG’s Scientific Advisory Committee, said: “The failure to conceive or carry a baby to term can cause considerable distress to a couple. It is a major concern to clinicians in the UK that patients are turning up to appointments armed with information downloaded from the web and wanting these unvalidated immunological tests.

“It is clear that the advice given on many sites is strongly influenced by the personal prejudices of doctors practising non-evidence based medicine. Much of the data they provide has never been exposed to the rigorous scrutiny of peer review. These couples are emotionally vulnerable and there is currently no scientific evidence to justify the use of these tests and treatments.”

Professor Alison Murdoch, Chair of the British Fertility Society, welcomed the report saying that it was essential that infertile couples are only recommend treatments of "proven value".

(gmcg)