Experts say couples being sold unproven treatments by IVF clinics

Dr Daamini Shrivastav, who is with the Conceive fertility clinics in the UAE, says: ‘Absolutely, some clinics are pushing these tests purely for profit, and they may not always be necessary.’ Sarah DeShow more

DUBAI // The effectiveness of expensive additional treatments sold by IVF clinics to couples desperate to have a baby have been called into question by fertility experts.

Researchers claim couples could be wasting thousands of dirhams on treatments with little scientific proof of success, with some clinics offering additional services without the most up-to-date research.

A University of Oxford study published in the British Medical Journal claims many couples are not being given enough evidence-based information about the success of such procedures, with many unsuitable for some.

Dr Daamini Shrivastav from the Conceive fertility clinic, with centres in Dubai and Sharjah, said it is a tactic used by some unscrupulous clinics to help boost profits.

“Absolutely, some clinics are pushing these tests purely for profit, and they may not always be necessary,” she said. “Many patients who come to us are at the end of the road or have been treated in other clinics as if they were in a meat market. They are also usually short on money.

“You cannot put a percentage on the chances of a healthy conception, every case has to be assessed individually.”

A study this year by the Aster IVF & Women Clinic claimed one in five couples in the UAE faced fertility issues. Statistics show that in Dubai alone the incidence of infertile women seeking treatment every year could nearly double from 5,975 cases last year to 9,139 cases by 2030.

A single cycle of in vitro fertilisation costs about Dh22,000. Other treatments such as assisted hatching, priced at Dh1,000, egg freezing from Dh2,000 or time-lapse imaging costing Dh3,000 are often offered to couples, leaving them with a hefty bill.

Researchers at the University of Oxford centre for evidence-based medicine found 26 of the 27 commonly sold extras at fertility clinics had no clinical evidence to prove that they increased the chance of having a baby.

They scrutinised 74 fertility websites and found 276 claims of the benefits of more than 40 extra treatments available to buy alongside IVF.

Of those, just 29 per cent included supporting data explaining the chances of improved fertility outcomes. Just five of 16 references came from a conclusive evidence-backed review.

“Clinics are under more regulations now from Dubai Health Authority and Ministry of Health and Prevention because this kind of profiteering is completely unethical,” Dr Shrivastav said.

“It’s a big conflict of interest. While it is a marketing ploy, it is bordering on being illegal and unethical.

“Too many times we have seen patients who have had treatments elsewhere that were not needed and have failed.

“Sometimes the woman just needs to have her ovaries stimulated with hormones to increase production, yet some clinics are clearly pushing other more expensive treatments.”

Pre-screening for genetic abnormalities is becoming more popular, and can cost Dh43,000 in some cases.

Doctors will look for signs of Down syndrome, thalassaemia, cystic fibrosis or muscular dystrophy. It becomes more necessary for women over 38, otherwise there is a risk of having an abnormal child or a miscarriage.

David, not his real name, and his wife are expecting his first child in a few weeks after she had fertility treatment at the Bourn Hall clinic in Dubai.

“Our experience was very good with our doctors,” said the Briton. “We were not offered any other services and in fact we had two occasions when they did the opposite.

“We asked about womb scratching, which we read had some benefits. They said the benefits were questionable and would consider it only after three failed attempts.

“On our second round they aborted IVF and swapped to artificial insemination, saving us about Dh20,000.

“It was a very positive experience, but this may be tainted by our success. I know from my research that some other clinics here had some bad reviews with implanting multiple eggs.”