Global Women's Health Academy

World population prospects were presented at the United Nations in 2013 and addressed directly global fertility projections. Fertility rates for many developed countries continue to decline and are projected to do so for the foreseeable future. As part of updating of the WHO Global Guidelines for infertility diagnosis, management and interventions for treatment initiated in January 2012, Guideline Development Groups were assembled. These focus on female subfertility; male subfertility, ovarian stimulation for ART, IVF and ICSI, IUI with and without ovarian stimulation, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS); endometriosis, fertility interventions; and environmental effects on fertility, with the call to enhance fertility awareness at the country, if not regional, level.^1,2

Substantial educational and practice needs have been identified demonstrating how poor understanding of myriad causes of female infertility by clinicians results in their failure to appropriately consider the full value offered to affected women through assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs).

This module introduces the participant to ART laboratory quality control; focuses on critical quality assurance features that improve fertility outcomes; and highlights ESHRE and ASRM quality control and quality assurance guidelines.