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47% who received fertility treatment successfully conceived, according to new survey

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By | Dec. 4, 2020 Medically reviewed by Marissa Walsh, Pharm.D., BCPS-AQ ID
Infertility Survey: Are infertility rates increasing? What are the common causes, treatments, and average cost of fertility treatment?

An estimated 12% to 15% of couples have difficulty conceiving, and some experts believe that infertility rates are increasing. Many couples are waiting longer to have children, and the use of assisted reproductive technology (ART) is increasing by 5% to 10% per year. Additionally, there was an average of five children per woman worldwide in 1950. Today, there’s an average of two children per woman worldwide. To better understand the fertility journey of couples today with many advancements in treatment options, we surveyed 600 Americans who have had difficulty conceiving. Here’s what we found.

RELATED: Infertility statistics

Summary of findings:

Of the 600 adults we surveyed:

Half of respondents with difficulty conceiving do not consider their condition to be infertility

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines infertility as “not being able to get pregnant (conceive) after one year (or longer) of unprotected sex.” Once a woman reaches the age of 35, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends an infertility evaluation after six months of trying to conceive. 

  • 52% reported having experienced infertility.
  • 48% reported having difficulty conceiving but do not consider it infertility.

Our survey did not find statistical significance between the respondents who did not consider their condition to be infertility and the duration they reported trying to conceive. However, most respondents (85%) tried to conceive for one or more years.

  • 16% tried to conceive for less than one year.
  • 32% tried to conceive for one to two years.
  • 20% tried to conceive for two to three years.
  • 11% tried to conceive for three to four years.
  • 6% tried to conceive for four to five years.
  • 15% tried to conceive for more than five years.

A quarter of respondents don’t know the cause of their infertility

There are many causes of infertility, but according to our survey, 1 in 4 couples don’t know why they have difficulty conceiving and/or staying pregnant. Infertility affects both males and females. The most common causes of fertility problems among our survey respondents were PCOS (female factor), low sperm production (male factor), and endometriosis (female factor).

  • 25% reportedly don’t know the cause of their infertility.
  • 19% reported polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) (female factor).
  • 17% reported low sperm production (male factor).
  • 17% reported endometriosis (female factor).
  • 12% reported hormonal disorders (male or female factor).
  • 11% reported uterine abnormalities or fibroids (female factor).
  • 9% reported medication side effects (male or female factor).
  • 9% reported diminished ovarian reserve (DOR) (female factor).
  • 8% reported premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) (female factor).
  • 7% reported menopause (female factor).
  • 7% reported unhealthy habits, i.e., heavy drinking, smoking, steroid use, illicit drug use, etc. (male or female factor).
  • 6% reported genetic disorders (male or female factor).
  • 5% reported varicoceles (male factor).
  • 5% reported other infertility causes, including weight-related problems, thyroid disorders, antisperm antibodies, and unexplained infertility (male or female factor).
  • 3% reported sexually transmitted disease (male or female factor).

The majority of respondents received fertility treatment, IVF being the most common fertility service

Sixty percent of couples in our survey reported that they received some kind of fertility treatment. Oftentimes, multiple treatments modalities are used concomitantly. In-vitro fertilization, fertility medications, and ovulation induction were the most common fertility services among respondents.

  • 20% of respondents received in-vitro fertilization (IVF).
  • 17% of respondents received fertility medications, such as Clomid, metformin, Femara, Cycloset, Gonal-F, etc.
  • 12% of respondents received ovulation induction (OI).
  • 11% of respondents received intrauterine insemination (IUI).
  • 9% of respondents received intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).
  • 9% of respondents received surgery.
  • 6% of respondents received intracytoplasmic morphologically selected sperm injection (IMSI).
  • 6% of respondents used donor conception.
  • 5% of respondents received preimplantation genetic testing (PGT).
  • 5% of respondents used a surrogate.
  • 2% of respondents received other reproductive treatments.
  • 40% of respondents did not receive fertility treatments.

Two-thirds of respondents tried natural remedies or alternative medicines to help them conceive

Additionally, almost half (48%) of respondents who successfully conceived and stayed pregnant as a result of fertility treatment also tried natural/alternative medicine options before seeking clinical treatment.

  • 33% reportedly tried natural/alternative medicine before seeking clinical treatment
  • 22% reportedly tried natural/alternative medicine in combination with clinical treatment
  • 9% reportedly tried natural/alternative medicine after clinical treatment was unsuccessful
  • 36% reportedly did not try natural/alternative medicine options at all

Half of respondents reported experiencing depression and/or anxiety as a result of infertility

Infertility is one of the primary reasons for divorce among couples, and another study found that up to 60% of infertile individuals reported significantly higher levels of anxiety and depression than fertile individuals. Our survey found that difficulty conceiving affected the mental health and/or relationships of 83% of respondents. The following mental health and relationship effects were reported as a result of difficulty conceiving:

  • 51% reported depression
  • 46% reported anxiety
  • 25% reported increased tension with their partner
  • 23% reported decreased enjoyment of sex
  • 22% reported decreased frequency of sex
  • 20% reported difficulty being around other pregnant couples
  • 16% reported difficulty being around friends with children
  • 8% reported fertility problems led them to counseling or therapy
  • 4% reported fertility problems led them to divorce or separation
  • 1% reported other mental health or relationship implications
  • 17% reported that infertility did not affect their mental health or relationship

Additionally, 57% of respondents who reported that infertility did not affect their mental health or relationships also reportedly did not know the cause of infertility and 50% reportedly tried to conceive for two years or less.

A quarter of respondents paid out of pocket for the full costs of their fertility treatments

The cost of fertility treatment ranges—15% of respondents reportedly spent less than $1,000 on treatment whereas another 14% spent between $10,000 to $20,000. With each cycle of IVF (the most common fertility treatment according to our survey) costing $20,000, many patients wonder how they’ll afford treatment. Insurance coverage for fertility treatments is often limited. According to our survey, only half of respondents received some kind of insurance coverage.

  • 29% reported insurance or Medicaid partially covered treatments
  • 24% reported paying out of pocket for all treatments
  • 20% reported insurance or Medicaid covered all treatments
  • 14% reported a fertility financing program partially covered treatments
  • 12% reported a fertility financing program covered all treatments
  • 12% reported receiving a grant that covered all treatments
  • 9% reported receiving a grant that partially covered treatments
  • 9% reported using a prescription discount card on fertility medications
  • 5% reported using an online pharmacy to receive more affordable medications
  • 4% reported using an international pharmacy to receive more affordable medications
  • 4% reported traveling out of state to receive more affordable treatments
  • 3% reported traveling out of the U.S. to receive more affordable treatments
  • 2% reported other payment methods, such as being part of a medical study that covered costs
  • 3% reported none of the above

Half of respondents who received fertility treatment successfully conceived and stayed pregnant

The success rate of fertility treatment depends on treatment type, age, and cause of infertility. Fortunately, half of our respondents who received fertility treatment reported that they successfully conceived and stayed pregnant.

  • 47% of respondents successfully conceived and stayed pregnant
  • 24% of respondents successfully conceived but could not stay pregnant
  • 29% of respondents did not successfully conceive

What’s more is that a third of respondents reportedly had multiple children as a result of fertility treatment.

  • 14% had no children as a result of fertility treatment
  • 52% of respondents have had one child as a result of fertility treatment
  • 24% of respondents have had two children as a result of fertility treatment
  • 7% of respondents have had three children as a result of fertility treatment
  • 2% of respondents have had four children as a result of fertility treatment
  • 1% of respondents have had more than four children as a result of fertility treatment

Our methodology:

SingleCare conducted this infertility survey online through AYTM on Oct. 28, 2020. This survey data includes 600 U.S. adults ages 18+ who reportedly have or have had difficulty conceiving. Gender was split 50/50.