In the United States, 19% of people of childbearing age are unable to get pregnant after one year of trying. This can be a confusing, frustrating, and devastating time, especially when it seems as though everyone around you is getting pregnant or posting their baby bump photos online.
If you are trying to get pregnant to no avail or are struggling with infertility and your partner’s infertility has been ruled out, there are several types of fertility treatments available to assist you in growing your family.
What are the various infertility types?
What are some fertility treatment options?|What are some fertility treatment options?
There are several types of fertility treatments available for those wishing to become pregnant. Assisted Reproductive Therapy (ART) includes processes like Artificial Insemination (AI) in which donor sperm or the individual’s partner’s sperm are placed in the reproductive tract during ovulation. Similarly, Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) places sperm directly in the uterus, close to the fallopian tubes, to increase the chances of becoming pregnant.
If neither AI nor IUI are successful, an individual may undergo In-vitro Fertilization (IVF) in which egg and sperm retrieval and fertilization are completed in a lab and the embryo is then transferred to the uterus.
Cryopreservation, another fertility treatment option, involves the process of “freezing” eggs, sperm, or embryos. Popular social media influencer couple Eamon and Bec — who share their van life and minimalist living videos on their YouTube channel — recently chronicled their fertility treatment after Bec’s breast cancer diagnosis.
The couple chose cryopreservation to ensure future pregnancy after Bec’s surgery and radiation treatment. While cryopreservation is a common fertility treatment option that suits a variety of situations and circumstances, it can be cost-prohibitive.
“Egg freezing can be expensive, especially if not covered by insurance,” Dr. Jenna Turocy told Mom.com. “The costs of egg freezing varies from clinic to clinic and includes an initial consultation with doctor, ultrasound and bloodwork monitoring, injectable medications, surgery to retrieve the eggs, freezing the eggs in the embryology lab, and an annual storage fee.”
In some cases, a person who hasn’t had success becoming pregnant may consider — in conjunction with one of the above ART procedures — opting for egg or embryo donation or seeking out a gestational carrier or surrogate. Regardless of the chosen option, surrounding yourself with a helpful and understanding support system is key.
Mental health support when undergoing fertility treatment
“Struggling to have a biological child is a complicated grief process because it’s often an invisible loss,” Martha Diamond, Ph.D., told the American Psychological Association. “There are no rituals or public ways to honor these losses, and people often don’t talk about it. They feel like something is wrong with them, and these situations can deliver a painful blow to someone’s self-esteem.”
Financial concerns can add another layer of stress. “The process was long, painful, embarrassing, and incredibly stressful. Insurance covered basically nothing and it was so expensive that we at one point asked our parents for some financial help,” mom of two Sarah Elaine told Mom.com. “We are some of the lucky ones that were successful so it was worth it in the end but I would not wish infertility on anyone.”
The American Society for Reproductive Medicine provides a comprehensive list of resources and support options for those struggling with infertility. Your doctor or fertility specialist can help you determine which treatments may work best for your particular needs.
Whatever treatment you choose, know that everyone has their own unique journey. “I had three IUIs and two rounds of IVF. The injectable drugs were terrible,” Sofia Lai told Mom.com. “I had two IUI that didn’t take. I got pregnant 3 times, all of them miscarried. Two relatively early and 1 at 20 weeks which just about destroyed me.”
“I gave up after the last and by some miracle, I had my baby 8 years later without treatment!” Lai said. “There is a light at the end of the tunnel.”|There are several types of fertility treatments available for those wishing to become pregnant. Assisted Reproductive Therapy (ART) includes processes like Artificial Insemination (AI) in which donor sperm or the individual’s partner’s sperm are placed in the reproductive tract during ovulation. Similarly, Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) places sperm directly in the uterus, close to the fallopian tubes, to increase the chances of becoming pregnant.
If neither AI nor IUI are successful, an individual may undergo In-vitro Fertilization (IVF) in which egg and sperm retrieval and fertilization are completed in a lab and the embryo is then transferred to the uterus.
Cryopreservation, another fertility treatment option, involves the process of “freezing” eggs, sperm, or embryos. Popular social media influencer couple Eamon and Bec — who share their van life and minimalist living videos on their YouTube channel — recently chronicled their fertility treatment after Bec’s breast cancer diagnosis.
The couple chose cryopreservation to ensure future pregnancy after Bec’s surgery and radiation treatment. While cryopreservation is a common fertility treatment option that suits a variety of situations and circumstances, it can be cost-prohibitive.
“Egg freezing can be expensive, especially if not covered by insurance,” Dr. Jenna Turocy told Mom.com. “The costs of egg freezing varies from clinic to clinic and includes an initial consultation with doctor, ultrasound and bloodwork monitoring, injectable medications, surgery to retrieve the eggs, freezing the eggs in the embryology lab, and an annual storage fee.”
In some cases, a person who hasn’t had success becoming pregnant may consider — in conjunction with one of the above ART procedures — opting for egg or embryo donation or seeking out a gestational carrier or surrogate. Regardless of the chosen option, surrounding yourself with a helpful and understanding support system is key.
Mental health support when undergoing fertility treatment
“Struggling to have a biological child is a complicated grief process because it’s often an invisible loss,” Martha Diamond, Ph.D., told the American Psychological Association. “There are no rituals or public ways to honor these losses, and people often don’t talk about it. They feel like something is wrong with them, and these situations can deliver a painful blow to someone’s self-esteem.”
Financial concerns can add another layer of stress. “The process was long, painful, embarrassing, and incredibly stressful. Insurance covered basically nothing and it was so expensive that we at one point asked our parents for some financial help,” mom of two Sarah Elaine told Mom.com. “We are some of the lucky ones that were successful so it was worth it in the end but I would not wish infertility on anyone.”
The American Society for Reproductive Medicine provides a comprehensive list of resources and support options for those struggling with infertility. Your doctor or fertility specialist can help you determine which treatments may work best for your particular needs.
Whatever treatment you choose, know that everyone has their own unique journey. “I had three IUIs and two rounds of IVF. The injectable drugs were terrible,” Sofia Lai told Mom.com. “I had two IUI that didn’t take. I got pregnant 3 times, all of them miscarried. Two relatively early and 1 at 20 weeks which just about destroyed me.”
“I gave up after the last and by some miracle, I had my baby 8 years later without treatment!” Lai said. “There is a light at the end of the tunnel.”
