IVF planning is becoming a more customary and necessary part of reproductive health care for today’s workforce. In late 2025, the World Health Organization (WHO) released its first guideline for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of infertility. The update reinforces a message that matters for employers and employees alike: fertility care is part of health care.
According to the WHO, about 1 in 6 people worldwide and in the United States experience infertility during their reproductive years. This prevalence highlights why IVF planning and other fertility treatments should no longer be viewed as rare or elective. Instead, they are a normal part of health care for millions of working adults.
For employers, the updated WHO guideline offers an evidence-based framework that supports more consistent, inclusive and compassionate fertility benefits. ARC Fertility aligns with this guideline and is pleased to share this information with employers nationwide.
What the WHO Guideline Update Emphasizes
The WHO guideline focuses on improving how infertility is prevented, identified and treated across health systems. While it is written for a global audience, its principles are highly relevant to workplace benefits planning in the United States.
Key areas highlighted in the guideline include:
- Recognition of infertility as a disease of the reproductive system.
- Timely and accurate diagnosis for both women and men.
- Access to evidence-based treatments, including IVF when clinically appropriate.
- Integration of mental health support into fertility care.
- Reduction of stigma and barriers to treatment.
Together, these points support a more holistic view of IVF planning, one that considers physical health, emotional well-being and access to care.
IVF Planning Is a Complex, Multi-Step Process
IVF planning is not a single decision. It often unfolds over months and involves medical testing, lifestyle considerations, emotional readiness and financial planning. Employees navigating this process are frequently balancing treatment decisions with full-time work responsibilities.
Common aspects of IVF planning include:
- Fertility evaluations and diagnostic testing.
- Discussions about treatment timing and readiness.
- Managing appointments and treatment schedules.
- Understanding medication needs and side effects.
- Coping with stress, uncertainty or previous pregnancy loss.
The WHO guideline acknowledges that infertility care is most effective when it is patient-centered and coordinated. For working individuals, employer support can make this process more manageable and less isolating.
Mental Health Is Essential to Fertility Care
One theme echoed in both the WHO guidance and ARC’s educational materials is the importance of mental health support during fertility treatment. IVF planning can bring anxiety, grief and emotional fatigue, especially for those who have experienced prior loss or prolonged infertility.
When emotional support is integrated into fertility care, employees are better equipped to navigate challenges and make informed decisions. This approach aligns with the WHO’s emphasis on treating infertility as a whole-person health issue, not just a clinical one.
Why IVF Planning Support Matters to Employers
Because fertility treatment typically occurs during prime working years, the workplace plays an important role in access and outcomes. When employees feel unsupported, the stress of IVF planning can affect focus, attendance and engagement.
Employers that recognize fertility care as health care can:
- Support employee well-being during a major life event.
- Reduce stress related to treatment logistics and costs.
- Improve retention during family-forming years.
- Reinforce a culture of inclusion and trust.
As workforce expectations evolve, fertility benefits are increasingly viewed as a meaningful indicator of how employers support long-term health.
How ARC Fertility Aligns With WHO Best Practices
ARC Fertility’s employer solutions reflect many of the principles outlined in the updated WHO infertility guideline.
Evidence-Based IVF Planning Support:
ARC connects employees to a nationwide network of experienced fertility specialists who follow established clinical standards. This helps ensure IVF planning decisions are grounded in accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment pathways.
Personalized Care Navigation:
Integrated Emotional Support:
Recognizing that mental health support is essential to fertility care, ARC offers educational tools and resources through the FertilityNow app. These resources help employees manage stress and feel supported alongside medical treatment.
Inclusive Access to Fertility Care:
The WHO guideline highlights inequities in infertility care access. ARC’s model is intentionally inclusive, supporting IVF planning for LGBTQ+ employees, single parents by choice and diverse family structures.
Medication Access and Cost Transparency:
Fertility medications are a significant part of IVF planning. ARC helps simplify this through transparent pricing options and access to fertility-specific pharmacy support.
Building a Fertility-Friendly Workplace
Employers can further align with WHO guidance by creating environments that respect reproductive health needs. Supportive practices include:
- Flexible scheduling for fertility-related appointments.
- Clear communication about fertility benefits.
- Manager training on sensitive health conversations.
- Normalizing fertility care as part of overall health care.
These steps help reduce stigma and allow employees to pursue IVF planning with greater confidence.
Supporting IVF Planning With ARC Fertility
The updated WHO infertility guideline underscores what many employers are already seeing: fertility care is a critical part of workforce well-being. IVF planning deserves the same thoughtful, evidence-based support as other medical needs.
ARC Fertility helps employers translate the best global practices into pragmatic benefits that employees can understand and use.
Ready to support IVF planning in your workplace?
Contact ARC Fertility to learn how our comprehensive fertility benefits can help employees plan their next steps with confidence and care.
