A Demographic Analysis of the Seekers of Cross Border Reproductive Care: A Literature Review

Abstract

Background: The use of assisted reproductive echnologies abroad is a growing phenomenon; however, little is known about the individuals who seek cross border reproductive care (CBRC), the destinations they choose, and their reasons for travelling. We sought to gain more insight into the demographics of those travelling for CBRC, their geographic destinations, and their reasons for engaging in CBRC. Methods: We employed a search of the published academic literature in the PubMed Database using combinations of various key terms. Results: Important findings included that those who sought CBRC were over the age of 35, with a similar mention of both single individuals travelling as well as married or cohabitating couples. When sexual orientation was mentioned, CBRC seekers were more often homosexual, bisexual, or transgendered. The most frequently mentioned reason for travel was due to the availability of services in the home country. The majority of travelling was within or to Europe, with Belgium being the most popular destination. Conclusion: CBRC seekers are a not as diverse a population as had previously been assumed, with sexual orientation being the dominant clustering factor. Contrary to previous assumptions, reduced costs in low income countries are likely not the primary economic driver of the CBRC industry, but rather the lack of availability of services domestically.