Art-assisted Reproductive Technologies and Covid

The ongoing pandemic situation has put a significant strain on the field of reproductive medicine, including the use of art-assisted reproductive technologies (ART). ART covers a wide range of procedures, including in vitro fertilization (IVF), intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), intrauterine insemination (IUI), frozen embryo transfer (FET) among others. These procedures have greatly helped infertile couples in realizing their dream of having a child. However, with the outbreak of Covid-19, ART has been impacted in several ways. One of the major impacts of Covid-19 is on the delay or cancellation of ART treatments. Some clinics have put ART treatments on hold due to the risk of exposure to the virus, while some have had to cancel treatments altogether due to the high transmission rates in the community. This has led to increased anxiety and frustration among patients who are eager to start or resume their fertility treatment. Another challenge that ART clinics have faced is the shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE), which is essential in minimizing the risk of Covid-19 transmission. As a result, some clinics have had to limit the number of patients they can see in order to conserve PPE, and focus on emergency cases. The pandemic has also contributed to economic uncertainty, leading many individuals to delay their plans for having a child. The cost of ART treatments is high, which has made it difficult for people to access these services as they struggle with job loss, reduced working hours, and financial uncertainty. In conclusion, the Covid-19 pandemic has posed significant challenges to ART services, making them less accessible and less available to those who require them. As we cautiously move into a post-pandemic world, it will be imperative to take measures to ensure that ART treatments remain safe and accessible to those who need them.