Evidence to action: how good is the evidence for fertility treatments and what can we do?

The aims of the International Federation of Fertility Societies (IFFS) include “to stimulate research, and to promote the superior clinical care of patients in all aspects of reproductive research and fertility medicine”. Fertility treatments are a rapidly developing area. In the effort to improve outcomes, new technologies and pharmaceuticals are often introduced before they have been adequately assessed in terms of improving live birth rates. The clinical research behind these technologies is often flawed and may be misleading for clinicians and people wanting to build their families. We need to have a coordinated approach to improve the research for fertility treatments. What role could the IFFS have in promoting better research?