Fertility treatments: Understanding your options
If you need treatment to be able to conceive, there are lots of options available, and we learn more about the science behind fertility every day. Depending on your case, treatment options can be non-invasive, like taking a pill to regulate your cycle, all the way to weeks-long treatment regimens, like IVF, and everything in between. We’ll walk you through a brief overview of all of your options (and in most cases, more detailed information about each procedure) so that you and your doctor can decide on the best option for you.
Quick vocab lesson: ART, or “assisted reproductive technology,” refers to all fertility treatments where eggs and embryos are handled outside of the body.
Your options
Ovulation induction
What is it?
A doctor prescribes hormonal medication called Clomid to stimulate ovulation, with the goal of regulating a woman’s cycle or allowing her body to release more eggs in a given month.
Who can it benefit?
People who don’t ovulate regularly because of ovulatory disorders or hormonal imbalances. It's also a lower-cost, non-invasive option for people new to fertility treatment.
How long does it take?
1 cycle generally takes 1 month, and most doctors advise patients to try up to 6 cycles
How much does it cost?
Between $3,000-$5,000 depending on medication. Many people do it a few times before moving on to other options.
Learn more about ovulation induction
IUI (intrauterine insemination)
What is it?
A doctor selects the highest quality sperm from a semen sample and places it into a woman’s uterus using a thin catheter, with the goal of creating a healthy pregnancy.
Who can it benefit?
Same sex female couples, single women using donor sperm, heterosexual couples who are unable to have vaginal intercourse
How long does it take?
You’ll usually take medications for 2–4 weeks leading up to the IUI procedure, which only takes about 10 minutes.
How much does it cost?
Generally, around $5,000, but it depends on your medication protocols. Many people do a few rounds of IUI before moving on to other options.
IVF (in vitro fertilization)
What is it?
A doctor prescribes medication for about 2 weeks to grow and mature egg follicles, retrieves the mature eggs in a minor surgical procedure, and joins mature eggs with sperm in a lab, with the goal of creating healthy embryos. A healthy embryo is transferred into a woman’s uterus in hope of carrying a pregnancy to term, and any others can be stored for later use.
Who can it benefit?
Same sex couples using donor eggs and/or sperm, heterosexual couples with blocked or damaged fallopian tubes or unexplained infertility, people using a surrogate, people who have not been successful in less invasive treatments
Depending on your needs, IVF can be done using your own eggs and sperm or donor eggs or sperm
How long does it take?
4-6 weeks
How much does it cost?
The total average cost, including medication, the base cost, and additional procedures, is $19,500, but it depends on your clinic, your medication protocols, and whether your insurance will contribute anything toward your treatment.
Surgical sperm retrieval
What is it?
In a procedure under sedation that’s fast and relatively painless, a man will have sperm extracted from his testicles. The sperm collected can be used in IVF or IUI procedures to fertilize eggs.
Who can it benefit?
Men with very low numbers of sperm (or no sperm at all) in their semen
How long does it take?
20-30 minutes
How much does it cost?
It depends on the type of procedure needed. Treatment generally ranges from $3,000-$12,000.
Surrogacy
What is it?
A person carries a pregnancy on behalf of someone else, often called an “intended parent”. After the child is born, the intended parent becomes the legal guardian.
Who can it benefit?
Same sex male couples, or for couples or individuals who struggle to carry
How long does it take?
It typically takes anywhere from 18-24 months (including 9 months of gestation!), but it can take much longer depending on legal and medical needs.
How much does it cost?
It depends on where you live and your arrangement the surrogate and her agency, but it's an expensive endeavor. Estimates are generally over $100,000 for a commercial surrogate.
Wrapping up
There are lots of options for people who need help conceiving a child. Ask your doctor about which options are best for you.
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How can Gaia help?
A Gaia Plan is the most affordable way to start and protect your IVF.
Start your IVF with fixed costs that you only pay once you have a child.