Advance technologies Fertility treatment For men and women who are unable to have children, the opportunity to start a family is available. Unfortunately, these treatments are not always available or easily accessible. Research indicates that the majority of couples with infertile They do not receive or cannot receive Fertility treatments that they need.
In the CDC's National Survey of Family Growth, 11 percent of women and 9 percent of men reported struggling to conceive. This same survey found that only 38 percent of infertile women who fertility problems Suspected infertility patients who had sought or received any fertility care. Within this group of women, most received only fertility testing and counseling—but not treatment.
When it comes to IVF treatment in the United States, it is estimated that one in four couples who need this assisted reproductive technology receives it.
Why can't so many people get the treatments they need? If you're having difficulty accessing infertility treatment, is there anything you can do to improve your access? And if fertility treatment isn't an option for you, what can you do to improve your chances of successful pregnancy?
You Are Not Alone: Common Barriers to Accessing Fertility Treatment
If you're having difficulty getting the treatment you need, you're not far off. You may face one or more obstacles. Here are some potential barriers to fertility care:
- Fertility benefits are not covered by health insurance.: It depends on where you live and who you work for. In Canada and Europe, fertility coverage is required by law in many areas. This is not true in the United States. Only 11 states have laws requiring fertility insurance coverage. Of those 11, only six require comprehensive coverage.
In the United States, 75 percent of companies do not cover Insurance Infertility matters are adequate. If you use a public insurance plan, you are unlikely to have any fertility coverage.
- Lack of health insurancePeople with health insurance—even without infertility coverage—can access at least basic reproductive care. Sometimes, this can be enough to treat minor fertility problems. For example, a gynecologist may prescribe Clomid if: ovulation You have irregular periods. You may need to pay the full price for the pill, but your doctor's appointment and very basic fertility testing will likely be covered.
However, if you lack any health insurance, your ability to access fertility care is limited. This is also true if you only have a catastrophic health insurance plan.
- Lack of funds (with or without insurance)Even if you have great health insurance, the cost can still be too high for the treatments you need. Co-pays may be higher than your budget allows. Parts of the treatment may not be covered at all. If you need a surrogate or egg donor to have a baby, this is especially challenging.
- Location There may not be enough reproductive endocrinologists in your state or country. In the United States, if you live on the East or West Coast, you are more likely to have a fertility clinic within reasonable driving distance than if you live in the Midwest. There are 16 states in the USA with five or fewer board-certified fertility doctors (Society for Assisted Reproductive Technologies).
Fertility clinics tend to be more accessible in countries that require health insurance coverage for fertility. You can check rates.
- Difficulty getting good care due to provider biasIn an ideal world, a doctor's care shouldn't be hampered by personal bias. But doctors are human, and personal beliefs sometimes hinder the provision of medical care.
Reasons doctors refused to care for patients, or provided inaccurate information (telling the patient they could not receive care when they could), included:
- Doctor or hospital objections to artificial insemination
- Patient's socioeconomic status (or perceived socioeconomic status)
- Patient is overweight (not for valid medical reasons, but due to personal bias)
- Marital status (some fertility health insurance coverage requires the patient to be married)
- Sexual orientation
- Gender identity
- Sweat
- Omar
This barrier may occur at the primary care physician or gynecologist level, or it may occur further up the chain with a fertility specialist. Those who experience bias at the first level of care may be less likely to seek help from a fertility clinic. (They may not even know if they should, based on information shared by their primary physician.)
The law protects against some of these biases. However, the fact that this discrimination is illegal does not prevent it from occurring.
- Difficulty accessing care due to personal bias and fear: This obstacle comes from within the person experiencing fertility challenges. Many men and women know they are struggling to conceive, but they put off seeking fertility help (or never seek it at all).
Possible reasons why a person may not be able to access fertility help include cultural stigma against infertility, lack of trust or fear of doctors, the assumption that they cannot tolerate any treatments, religious ideology, or the belief that more time or luck will be enough to overcome infertility.
Don't automatically assume you can't afford the treatment you need.
Some couples never discuss their fertility concerns with their doctors because they assume they won't be able to afford the treatment. This is unfortunate, given that most fertility treatments can be inexpensive.
First, see your doctor. Get a basic fertility evaluation. (This is assuming you have health insurance. See below for what to do if you don't have good insurance.)
Then, once your doctor has performed an evaluation, find out what treatments are recommended and their cost. A very small percentage of fertility patients require IVF.
Educate yourself on possible financial assistance options.
Yes, some fertility treatments can be expensive. If you require injectables, IUI, or other assisted reproductive technology, high costs may prevent you from getting the treatment you need.
However, there are options you may not have considered. A little extra financial help could get you there.
Some options to consider are:
- Get discounts on treatment or medication
- Borrowing Options for Fertility Treatment
- Common risks and recovery of IVF programs
- Scholarships
- crowdfunding
- Benefit from free or reduced-cost health services
Let's say you don't have health insurance, or your health insurance is very basic. You may be able to get affordable care from a free or reduced-rate health clinic.
You won't find IVF treatment here. However, basic reproductive care should be provided, including very basic fertility testing. Some of these public or discount health clinics may prescribe fertility medications such as Clomid.
Treating underlying diseases as best as possible
When you think of fertility problems, you might assume the problem originates in the reproductive system. But this isn't always true. Sometimes, an underlying medical condition (which doesn't just affect fertility) causes infertility. Infertility may simply be the first symptom you notice.
For example, obesity is a common (and preventable) cause of infertility.Thyroid dysfunction Untreated andDiabetes It can cause fertility problems. Undiagnosed celiac disease is suspected of causing infertility.
This is another reason to see your doctor if you're struggling to conceive, even if you don't have fertility benefits on your health insurance. You may not need aFertility treatments"For pregnancy.
Ask your fertility doctor to lower the cost as much as possible.
Let's say you need fertility treatment. Sometimes, if you explain your financial situation to the fertility clinic, you may be able to reduce the costs (somewhat).
Some possible ways to reduce costs include:
- Less monitoring
- Using less expensive medication options
- Trying a natural or mini-IVF cycle
Of course, there are risks and benefits to using less monitoring or trying a mini-IVF cycle instead of a traditional cycle. These cost-cutting options aren't always possible. Discuss your options with your doctor.
Improve your overall health as much as possible.
A healthier lifestyle will not cancel out blocked fallopian tube , or treatment of primary ovarian insufficiency, or reversible hypogonadism (zero sperm count).
Some things to consider:
Eat a healthy diet. Research has found that diet plays a role in fertility. Healthy foods can sometimes be more expensive. Healthy cooking can also take time, which you may not have if you work long hours.
To get more vegetables into your diet, buy produce that is in season, and remember that frozen vegetables are just as nutritious.
Also, don't be shy about taking advantage of your local food bank (if you qualify). Some areas offer programs to help low-income families get more fresh foods into their diets.
To save time cooking, look online and at the library for information on advanced meal preparation and "quick and easy" recipes. A slow cooker can be a good investment. Health doesn't have to mean fancy or complicated.
Get enough sleep, during the right hours. Sleep is important for your overall health and fertility. Shift workers may also face an increased risk of miscarriage. When trying to conceive, make sleep a priority.
Break those bad health habits. Do you smoke? Do you drink alcohol every day? Unhealthy habits can harm your fertility.
Make time to relax. Stress doesn't cause infertility, but infertility can be very stressful. Excessive stress isn't good for your overall health. Mind-body therapies can help you cope better.
Educate yourself about infertility and connect with others.
The more you know, the more you can help yourself. Educate yourself about infertility, your fertility treatment options, and what steps you can take to improve your chances of conceiving on your own (if applicable).
Also, seek social support for your fertility struggles. Connecting with others dealing with infertility can help you see that you're not "broken" and there's nothing to be ashamed of. This shift in attitude may make it easier to seek help.
Be your own lawyer
We assume our doctor will always provide us with the best medical advice, free from personal bias. Unfortunately, this isn't always the case. Being aware of the potential for bias can help. You're more likely to recognize it and know that another provider may offer different options.
For example, doctors told infertile couples they had “no options” to have a child, when in fact, IVF was an option, but the doctor had religious objections to the procedure. Women were told they were “too fat” to receive fertility treatment when another doctor might have offered it. Others were told they had no fertility treatment options because the doctor assumed they couldn’t afford the treatment they needed.
If you are not satisfied with the answers your doctor provides, or anything does not feel right, seek a second opinion.
If you only have one fertility clinic in your area, some doctors will offer consultations via phone or video conference. You may not have to travel to find out if you're eligible for help elsewhere.
You may need to travel to another city or state to find a clinic that offers treatment, regardless of your marital status, sexual orientation, or gender identity. This, unfortunately, adds a financial burden.
Advocate for Others: Take Action to Improve Access to Care
Take your frustration and use it to help others. Your advocacy efforts may not make a difference in the time to build your family, but they could make a difference for someone else in the future.
Becoming a fertility advocate can be an empowering experience. If you're interested in getting involved, contact RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association. They can provide information on how to make a difference locally and nationally.
Infertility is a disease, and access to fertility treatment should be a human right. Through advocacy and awareness, we hope to soon reach a time when those in need of fertility treatment can access the care they need, regardless of where they live, how much money they earn, or how they identify.
