The long term implications of fertility therapy for the health of women

Cardiovascular disease mortality is not increased in women undergoing IVF, but vigilant surveillance is nonetheless required

Since the first birth facilitated by in vitro fertilisation (IVF) in 1978, the use of IVF has spread across the world and more than eight million babies have been born.1 The use of medically assisted reproduction, including IVF, currently accounts for about 7% of all births in Australia, and the annual number of births involving assisted reproductive technology has increased by 55% over the past ten years.2 IVF is a recognised medical technology with a reasonable success rate in younger women, partially funded by Medicare, widely available across Australia, and well accepted by the Australian community.