What does HFEA mean in LABORATORY

The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority is a government organisation which regulates fertility treatment such as in vitro fertilisation (IVF) and research using human embryos. They are also responsible for the release of embryo storage information, setting standards for fertility clinics, inspects clinic premises and reviews the performance of fertility treatments.

The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority main mission is to regulate activities relating to human fertilisation, embryo creation and transfer, in order to protect individuals undergoing treatment from exploitation or misuse, ensure safety standards in clinics are met and making sure couples receive accurate information about their options.

All licensed clinics must be inspected by HFEA at least once every two years. During this inspection it is ensured that all necessary safety procedures are followed, staff duties are being properly performed and appropriate infrastructure has been established.

You can contact the National Helpline on 0300 456 0300 or emailing [email protected] for general questions regarding fertility treatment. For more specific enquiries you can speak directly with your chosen clinic's Patient Advisor who will be able to give you detailed information about your particular situation.

Embryo freezing is a method used in IVF when laboratory procedure creates multiple embryos which must be preserved until they are transferred back into the uterus of either one of the prospective parents or a surrogates uterus at a later date where hopefully one will implant itself resulting in a pregnancy.

Frozen embryos can legally be stored for up to ten years from creation date, after which time they must either be discarded or donated towards research purposes unless permission has been granted by a court of law for an extension.

In most cases women should not attempt IVF until they reach 38-39 years old due to increasing risks associated with pregnancy after this age although advanced treatments may still be available subject to individual circumstances. There is no upper age limit although some clinics may have restrictions based on local guidelines or policy considerations.