[Medical service use for infertility in French private sector]

This study presents nationally representative estimates and trends for infertility service use among women aged 25-43 and men aged 25-49 in France in 2013-2016.

Two retrospective repeated cross-sectional analyses for years 2013 to 2016 were performed on the statutory French health care insurance reimbursement database for independent workers. Use rate was calculated on the number of individuals who underwent at least one infertility service within the studied year per women and men who utilized health services the same year.

1.69% [IC 95%: 1.65; 1.72] of women aged 25-43 who utilized health services had used infertility services during the year 2016: 1.5% used ovulation induction, 0.7% ultrasound monitoring of follicles, 0.3% embryo transfer, 0.3% in vitro fertilization.The use increased significantly from 2013 to 2016 for the following services: ultrasound monitoring of follicles (+ 10%), intracytoplasmic sperm injection (+ 12%), freezing of embryos (+ 32%), thawing of embryos (+ 29%), embryo cryopreservation (+ 88%).In a multivariate analysis, the use was higher among women aged 30-39 years, with a liberal profession, living in the North-east or the south-east, in Corsica or over-seas, receiving health care outside the French territory.0.19% [IC 95%: 0.18; 0.20] of men aged 25-49 years had used infertility services during the year.There was a significant increase from 2013 to 2016 of the proportion of users for sperm freezing (+ 19.18%) and sperm cryopreservation for fertility preservation when cytotoxic therapy is required (+ 84.92%).

Some increases resulted from expanded indications. Follow-up will be required in case of legislative enlargement for access to certain techniques.