The High Cost of Infertility

<blockquote> <h3>Fast Facts:</h3> <ul> <li>According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), about 12% to 15% of heterosexual couples are unable to conceive after one year of trying to get pregnant when the woman is age 30 and younger. That number increases to about 22% when the woman is between 30 to 39 years old.</li> <li>The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) estimated that it costs on average $230,000 to raise a child. This, however, doesn’t take into account any costs related to infertility.</li> <li>According to the National Conference of State Legislators, there are currently 15 states that have laws that require insurance carriers to offer plans that include fertility treatment coverage. Unfortunately, that doesn’t mean employers are obligated to offer them, and even if they do, the coverage is often limited.</li> </ul> </blockquote> <p>First comes love, then comes marriage, then comes…infertility?!</p> <p>That’s not supposed to be how the story goes, but unfortunately, it is how it unfolds for many couples in the United States. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), about 12% to 15% of heterosexual couples are unable to conceive after one year of trying to get pregnant when the woman is age 30 and younger. That number increases to about 22% when the woman is between 30 to 39 years old.</p> <p>Finding out you or your partner have fertility issues can feel like a huge sucker punch to the gut, but not all is lost. Thankfully, many couples can find their path to parenthood through assisted reproductive technologies (ART).</p> <p>But just as you’re recovering from the painful news of infertility, you’re sideswiped with another cruel blow: the high cost of infertility treatments, both financially and emotionally.</p> <h2>Fertility treatments may be priceless, but it’s also expensive</h2> <p>When saving up for a rainy day, you likely never thought you would have to intentionally save up and prepare for infertility issues. Many are more hopeful that their savings will be used to fund home renovations, an extravagant vacation, or a future child’s college fund. In fact, just raising a child requires a hefty savings account, never mind college.</p> <p>According to an analysis conducted by the <em>U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)</em>, it’s estimated that it will cost on average over $230,000 to raise a child. But what the USDA doesn’t take into account is the cost to have that child if you have infertility.</p> <p>Luckily, there are many ARTs to choose from: intrauterine insemination (IUI, when sperm is placed inside a woman’s uterus), in vitro fertilization (IVF, when embryos are created in a lab then transferred into the uterus), surrogacy, and there’s the option of adoption. Whichever you choose, the costs can reach as high as six figures in some cases.</p> <p>Of course, the cost depends on individual factors, such as your age, medical history, type of infertility, etc., but whichever way you slice it, fertility treatment is no small bill.</p> <h3>1. Intrauterine insemination (IUI)</h3> <p>IUI involves placing a donor or partner’s sperm inside a woman’s uterus to increase the chance of fertilization. While the cost of IUI depends on the state and fertility clinic itself, it’s estimated to cost an upwards of $2,000 or more per cycle, according to the <em>Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology (SART)</em>. This includes the cost of ultrasound monitoring, bloodwork, medication, and the insemination procedure itself.</p> <figure><img alt="Intrauterine Insemination" src="https://cdn.storymd.com/optimized/PApJeOFvd5/thumbnail.png" /> <figcaption>Intrauterine Insemination.<em> Source: BruceBlaus/Wikimedia</em></figcaption> </figure> <h3>2. In vitro fertilization (IVF)</h3> <p>A single IVF cycle – which is defined as ovarian stimulation, egg retrieval, and embryo transfer – can range from $20,000 to $30,000, depending on the patient’s individual medication needs, according to the <em>American Society of Reproductive Medicine (ASRM)</em>. While that amount may be doable for some, for many, it is entirely out of reach, especially considering that many couples go through several cycles of IVF before conceiving or attempting other options. According to SART, the live birth rate for each IVF cycle ranges from 41% to 43% for women under age 37, and from 13% to 18% for women over 40.</p> <p>Add to that the cost of time off from work – and even travel and lodging costs if you don’t live near your fertility clinic – while you undergo medical monitoring and procedures, potentially for many months. That’s a big bill, and even bigger if you have to go through it more than once. And there’s never any guarantee that IVF will work at all.</p> <figure><img alt="In Vitro Fertilization" src="https://cdn.storymd.com/optimized/8ok3wec4o7/thumbnail.png" /> <figcaption>In Vitro Fertilization. <em>Source: https://zealthy.in/en</em></figcaption> </figure> <h3>3. Adoption</h3> <p>Depending on the path you choose, the cost can vary widely. If adopting through the public foster care system, your total out-of-pocket expenses can be next to nothing. However, if you’re hoping to adopt a newborn, it can cost up to $45,000 or higher if you’re adopting internationally. That doesn’t always include the cost of medical expenses for the birth mother either, which the adoptive parents are usually expected to cover.</p> <h3>4. Surrogacy</h3> <p>Many people think surrogacy is only for wealthy celebs like Kim and Khloe Kardashian and Nicole Kidman. They may not be wrong in thinking that because surrogacy can cost between $60,000 to $150,000. Surrogacy has a high price tag because, not only does it cover payment for the surrogate, but it also covers the cost of hormone medications, maternity clothing, lost wages for time off work, travel costs to and from the medical clinic, procedures such as the embryo transfer and delivery of the baby, and legal fees. However, if a family member agrees to carry the baby, parents-to-be can expect to pay much less.</p> <h2>“But I have insurance…”</h2> <p>That insurance card you carry in your wallet may lead you to believe that the hefty price tag of fertility treatments will disappear. Well, not exactly.</p> <p>According to the National Conference of State Legislators, there are currently 15 states that have laws that require insurance carriers to offer plans that include fertility treatment coverage. Unfortunately, that doesn’t mean your employer is obligated to offer them. And even if they do, the coverage is often limited.</p> <h2>The emotional cost of infertility</h2> <p>When it comes to infertility, the struggle goes well beyond both the physical and financial. It can affect your mental health in insidious – and sometimes enduring – ways. Infertility is hard and it can impact a person’s entire world.</p> <p>Up to 60% of those struggling with infertility experience significantly higher levels of anxiety and depression than those who are not. In fact, a study has shown that women grappling with infertility often experience the same level of anxiety and depression as those diagnosed with cancer, HIV, and heart disease.</p> <p>Not only does the news of infertility itself stir up an emotional storm, but the medications used to treat infertility are associated with psychological symptoms, such as anxiety, depression, and irritability.</p> <p>Many couples struggling with infertility have expressed the need for psychological support during their journey, but studies have shown that less than 25% of couples actually seek mental health care from a health care professional. The main reason is that most women experiencing infertility often suffer from feelings of shame, loss, failure, and isolation, and couples struggling with infertility often feel overwhelmed, hopeless, and relationship strain. While many acknowledge that they need help, this support is often largely confined to online groups and whispers among friends.</p> <h2>Tips on how to cope with emotions of infertility</h2> <p>Yes, infertility is a personal experience, but you don’t have to face it alone. Here are some helpful strategies to cope with the emotions of infertility.</p> <ol> <li><strong>Acknowledge your feelings. </strong>The first step in reducing the stress and anxiety associated with infertility is to understand that what you’re feeling is completely normal.</li> <li><strong>Share your feelings with your partner. </strong>Infertility can take a toll on a relationship, often causing unspoken resentment, feelings of inadequacy, and tension. Rather than allowing those feelings to build, share what you are going through with your partner. If you feel that the stress of infertility is causing a rift between you and your partner, it may help to seek professional counselling.</li> <li><strong>Gather support.</strong> Infertility is more common than people think. Gathering around people who are going through the same journey as you will help assure you that you’re not alone. A like-minded community can also offer a safe space for you to share your problems, feelings, and concerns. Also, stay connected to your family and friends, as they can also be a source of support.</li> <li><strong>Get moving. </strong>Study after study has shown the positive effect of exercise on mental health. The release of endorphins after a sweat session can boost your mood and reduce stress.</li> <li><strong>Allow yourself to grieve.</strong> Finding out you are infertile can feel like a loss. And like any loss, it is important to allow yourself to go through a mourning period before you can move on.</li> <li><strong>Talk about it. </strong>To make infertility less of a burden, couples dealing with it need to start having open and honest conversations about their struggles of starting a family. While these conversations are not always easy, it’s vital to break the taboo of talking about it.</li> </ol> <h2>More on Infertility</h2><ul><li><a href="https://soulivity.storymd.com/journal/dmqpoz3sew-infertility" target="_blank">Infertility: Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment</a></li><li><a href="https://soulivity.storymd.com/journal/qj3584lcam-assisted-reproductive-technology" target="_blank">The Types of Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART)</a></li><li><a href="https://soulivity.storymd.com/journal/jbrdqadt2w-in-vitro-fertilization" target="_blank">Preparing for In Vitro Fertilization: How It Works and What to Expect</a></li></ul>