Fertility and Sterility Publishes Editorial Piece on How Restorative Reproductive Medicine Violates Reproductive Autonomy and Informed Consent
August 26, 2025
For immediate release
“RRM’s emphasis on lifestyle modification, cycle tracking, and surgery is already well within the domain of what reproductive endocrinology and infertility specialists and reproductive urologists do every day,” write Peipert, Kuhlman, and Feinberg. “Where RRM diverges is in its moral opposition to IVF, and therefore, the inability to comprehensively offer the full scope of infertility treatment.”
Peipert, Kuhlman, and Feinberg go on to explain that RRM is ideologically motivated because it stems from religious beliefs and the anti-abortion movement: “RRM is, at its roots, grounded in the anti-abortion ‘personhood’ movement, a conservative religious ideology which believes life begins at conception and seeks to grant the same legal and constitutional rights of born humans to fertilized eggs,” they write.
The authors warn that the influence of this conservative ideology within the field of reproductive medicine is fostering a distorted narrative that undermines both the reproductive outcomes and the psychological health of patients pursuing treatment. For example, the authors highlight:
- IVF is often the only effective treatment to address certain causes of infertility such as tubal blockage, severe male factor infertility, and for LGBTQ+ individuals or single parents by choice.
- RRM causes unnecessary delays in fertility treatment, compromising future reproductive outcomes if IVF is pursued at an older age.
- The process of IVF itself can help identify the root causes of infertility through careful examination of sperm, eggs, and embryo.
- Positioning RRM as a morally preferable option to IVF fosters stigma towards individuals who require IVF and may restrict their access to the most effective treatment for infertility.
- Restricting access to IVF exacerbates psychological harm, delays necessary care, and jeopardizes future reproductive outcomes.
Rather than spending excessive time on potentially ineffective treatments, the authors emphasize that IVF remains a safe and effective option for addressing infertility. IVF success rates continue to improve, with many patients under 35 achieving live birth rates above 50% in their first cycle.
Fertility and Sterility is the flagship publication of The American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM). The peer-reviewed journal runs internationally and is published monthly.
For almost a century, the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) has been the global leader in multidisciplinary reproductive medicine research, ethical practice, and education. ASRM impacts reproductive care and science worldwide by creating funding opportunities for advancing reproduction research and discovery, by providing evidence-based education and public health information, and by advocating for reproductive health care professionals and the patients they serve. With members in more than 100 countries, the Society is headquartered in Washington, DC, with additional operations in Birmingham, AL. www.asrm.org
For media inquiries regarding this press release contact:
Sean Tipton
ASRM Chief Advocacy and Policy Officer
E: stipton@asrm.org
Anna Hovey
Advocacy Engagement Specialist
E: ahovey@asrm.org
J. Benjamin Younger Office of Public Affairs
726 7th St. SE
Washington, DC 20003
Tel: (202) 863-2494
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Fertility and Sterility Publishes Editorial Piece on How Restorative Reproductive Medicine Violates Reproductive Autonomy and Informed Consent
Editorial in Fertility and Sterility warns that Restorative Reproductive Medicine spreads stigma, delays care, and undermines IVF and patient autonomy.
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