Don’t Be Embarrassed About Infertility

Infertility is a topic that affects many people but is often shrouded in shame. For centuries, the topic was treated solely as a woman’s problem. Even though science proves that just as many infertility cases are linked to male factor issues, the myth persists that an inability to conceive is solely rooted in female problems. Yet the statistics show a different story. Infertility in heterosexual couples affects men and women, with the data proving that a third of cases are linked to the female factor only, another third to the male factor only, and the final third to a combination of the two. Of all the assisted reproductive therapy (ART) treatments available, in vitro fertilization (IVF) offers the highest success rates. Yet, stigmas and myths persist, so the following three facts can help demystify the process.

1. Donor eggs can increase success rates

Harvesting a participating woman's eggs during an IVF is ideal, but several reasons exist for why such an option may not be possible. For example, unexplained infertility, difficulty tracking ovulation, or even a history of failed IVF cycles or miscarriages are all strong reasons to consider using donor eggs. In the US, research shows that using donor eggs has a success rate ranging from 45.8% to as much as 53.9%. Potential candidates should remember, though, that individual success rates will depend on age and other factors.

2. ART can preserve fertility

Most fertility conversations center around people being diagnosed with infertility only after trying to conceive as adults. However, for some people, infertility is a nearly inevitable consequence of health concerns from earlier in life. Specifically, individuals diagnosed with cancer may face infertility after undergoing medical treatments such as chemotherapy or radiation, which can cause sterility. In such cases, if the patient is a child or a younger adult who might want to start a family, oncologists may encourage a person to either have a sperm or ovarian tissue sample taken. In this manner, a cancer survivor still has the option to have children later in life.

3. ART is more than IVF

While IVF is one of the most popular infertility treatments, with very high success rates, more options exist. Specifically, fertility solutions are customized to the unique situation a person is facing. For example, if a woman doesn't have underlying fertility issues but the man does, IVF may not be the optimal solution. Instead, an option such as intrauterine insemination (IUI) might be better if donor sperm can solve the problem. Similarly, modified processes such as gamete intrafallopian transfer (GIFT) and zygote intrafallopian transfer (ZIFT), which are variations of IUI, can be cheaper than IVF but offer solutions to address sperm and egg quality issues.

Get the facts on ART

Having children is an option that should be available to people who want it. Although this article discusses ART solutions for infertility, know that fertility treatments are also available for individuals wishing to become single parents and many LGBTQ people and couples who want to start a family. Get the facts on ART and how a multitude of options exist to create a pathway to parenthood.