A woman with endometriosis has said the rollout of free IVF for sufferers is “progress”, but questioned whether it is the right priority.
Health Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill has announced that women with endometriosis will likely soon be entitled to free IVF on the health service.
Endometriosis occurs when cells similar to those in the lining of the womb grow in other parts of a woman’s body; those with the condition often suffer severe pain and some require fertility treatment to conceive.
On The Claire Byrne Show, Minister Carroll MacNeill said free IVF for sufferers is something she would “like to achieve with my next round of funding”.
“That's my next priority for that, because this year or at the beginning of 2026, we extended it to families that were already in that system who might like to try to, you know, get a sibling for their child,” she said.
“Our next goal is to include women with endometriosis.”
On Lunchtime Live, endometriosis sufferer Serena Massey said that “any move forward is progress”.
“The only thing is that IVF and fertility treatment tends to happen a good bit down the line,” she said.
“I had hoped the first move might have been around the diagnosis process and the rapid access to treatment.
“So, yes, it's great news - don’t want to knock it - and Jennifer's doing a great job highlighting women's health.
“But early diagnosis for me would have been a priority, but I can't complain and I don't think anyone can.”
Ms Massey, whose daughter also has endometriosis, said that prioritising early diagnosis and treatment would in the long-term reduce the need for fertility treatments.
“Among IVF patients in Ireland at the moment, there's about one in four that actually have endo,” she explained.
“Unfortunately, if you get treated for endo correctly, you might not need IVF.
“So, I think it's great that it's being talked about; I think it's great that it's been highlighted.
“But again, are we focusing on the right areas to target?”
Main image: A woman having a painful period. Picture by: Alamy.com.
