Health
Denmark sets age limit of 55 for male fertility treatments
"The new practice means that... men will have to be referred for fertility treatment before the age of 55," Danske Regioner, the entity that manages the public healthcare system, said in a statement.
A researcher shows frozen donated sperm in the lab of a sperm bank. Men over the age of 55 in Denmark will still be able to seek treatment in the private healthcare sector. (Photo by Zhang yingnan / Imaginechina via AFP)
By: AFP ., Journalist @New Vision
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COPENHAGEN — Men in Denmark over the age of 55 will no longer qualify for fertility treatments in the public healthcare system due to health risks for the children conceived through the procedures, authorities said Tuesday.
"The new practice means that... men will have to be referred for fertility treatment before the age of 55," Danske Regioner, the entity that manages the public healthcare system, said in a statement.
"All treatment courses will be stopped when the man turns 56," it added.
The Scandinavian country is one of the first in the world to introduce an age limit for men for the treatments.
The Scandinavian country is one of the first in the world to introduce an age limit for men for the treatments.
Danske Regioner said there was "research indicating a link between the father's age and an increased risk of pregnancy complications and health challenges for the child".
The age limit will come into force in January. Men over the age of 55 will still be able to seek treatment in the private healthcare sector.
Until now, the only age limit for fertility treatments in Denmark applied to women, who must begin their course of treatment no later than age 40 and complete it before they are over the age of 46.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), one in six people worldwide is affected by infertility. In Denmark, one in nine children is born through a fertility treatment.
The age limit will come into force in January. Men over the age of 55 will still be able to seek treatment in the private healthcare sector.
Until now, the only age limit for fertility treatments in Denmark applied to women, who must begin their course of treatment no later than age 40 and complete it before they are over the age of 46.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), one in six people worldwide is affected by infertility. In Denmark, one in nine children is born through a fertility treatment.