Is IVF Treatment Worth It? 4 Reasons You Should Consider It!

While struggling to get pregnant may feel isolating, studies show that infertility is more common than you think. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nine percent of men and 11 percent of women experience problems with fertility.

Thanks to years of scientific development, many different treatments can potentially increase the chances of having a baby even if one or both partners are infertile. Some of these assisted reproductive technologies (ART) treatments can also allow individuals and same-sex couples to have a biological child.

With so many options available, 33 percent of Americans adults have used a form of fertility treatment or know someone who has. ART options include intrauterine insemination (IUI), in vitro fertilization (IVF), sperm, egg or embryo donations, cryopreservation, and surrogacy.

For a number of reasons, IVF is one of the most popular reproductive assistance treatments. While IVF may not be right for you and your situation, it does offer many benefits to those well-suited for the treatment. For example:

IVF Has Better Success Rates than Any Other Fertility Treatment

According to the Mayo Clinic, IVF is the most effective form of ART treatment. Due to the complicated factors that affect fertility, it can be very difficult to compare the success of different treatments. However, studies show that for any woman 35 years old or older, IVF results in significantly more births than IUI.

The Treatment Addresses the Infertility Concerns of Both Men and Women

While some fertility treatments focus mainly on female infertility issues, IVF also addresses male infertility. When it comes to women, IVF allows those with blocked fallopian tubes, polycystic ovarian syndrome, and irregular ovulation cycles to get pregnant. When it comes to males, IVF treatment can increase the chances of fertilization for men with low sperm count and low sperm motility.

IVF Makes Pregnancy Possible After Menopause

In some cases, the uterus has the capacity to carry a pregnancy to term even after a woman’s reproductive cycles have ended. While there are risks to consider, IVF makes this possible if you have access to donor eggs or froze your own eggs earlier in life.

IVF treatment, which can also be given to a gestational surrogate, is common for any couple or individual using egg and/or sperm donation to get pregnant. Many members of the LGBTQ community use IVF as a means to start a family.

You Can Get Financial Assistance for IVF

It’s no secret that IVF treatment can be costly. In many cases, health insurance providers do not cover IVF expenses. However, there are still many financial assistance options for those who undergo IVF treatment:

Loans from Fertility Treatment Financing Companies – Many lenders specialize in fertility financing. Often, these are IFV clinics that offer discounted treatment packages and loans for those who cannot afford the treatment in full. However, the fees and APRs you have to pay for these loans could be higher than that of personal loans.
Personal Loans – Taking a personal loan from a traditional or an online lender is the most popular way to finance IVF treatments. These loans come with fixed repayment terms that will involve monthly installments with interest. Your financial situation, your credit score, and the amount that you wish to borrow will all be considered to determine your interest rate.
Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC ) or Home Equity Loans – If you don’t qualify for a personal loan, you can go for a HELOC or home equity loan to fund your IVF treatment. The amount you receive depends on the equity that you have accumulated in your home. With this option, defaulting on your payments could result in losing your home.
Credit Card – Using a credit card is another simple way to pay for IVF treatment. If you use your card within the intro period of 12 to 21 months, you may be able to enjoy zero percent APR on your purchases. But make sure you pay back the balance before this intro period comes to an end.
Fertility Grants – Many organizations and foundations offer fertility grants to help people partially or fully pay for their IVF treatment. If you’re considering IVF, be sure to research grants you may qualify for.

Find the Best Fertility Clinic for Your IVF

The rising demand for fertility treatment has led to the emergence of more clinics that focus on IVF. Many of these clinics have specialized doctors and state-of-the-art facilities that help improve your chances of getting pregnant. If infertility has complicated your efforts to conceive, start talking to your doctor and researching the best clinics that meet your needs for IVF treatment.