Infertility FAQs

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), about 10-15% of couples struggle with infertility problems. That’s approximately 70-80 million people across the world, so you’re not alone if you face these challenges.

While commonly asked by couples anticipating fertility services, the answer is a resounding “No”. In fact, infertility in women and men is nearly identical, attributed to females 1/3 of the time, males 1/3 of the time, and unidentifiable the last ⅓ of time. 

Genetics can be a factor in determining fertility. There are many different conditions that can be passed from mother to daughter, such as endometriosis (which affects 10% of women). For males, DNA abnormalities of the Y chromosome can lead to problems with infertility.

Couples seeking fertility services often ask “Why are we infertile?”. At PFCLA, we break it down to male and female infertility. Common female infertility is caused by anatomical abnormalities and problems with ovaries or egg quality. Male infertility includes issues related to quantity and quality of sperm production, immunological disorders, and anatomical issues.

There are several options, though your doctor will need to advise on what most increases your odds of success. Some people need more intervention than others. Some female patients have success conceiving with oral fertility hormones such as clomiphene citrate. Some will need injectable ones such as gonadotropin. The treatment of male infertility on the other hand, often requires IVF with intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).

Yes! This is one of the most popular in vitro fertilization (IVF) frequently asked questions. The success of treatment has a direct correlation with the woman’s age. The younger the better! Overall, 70-80% of women under the age of 40 should expect a successful outcome. If you’re over 40, treatments can  still be effective. However, the average success rates decrease once beyond this point in life. Please note that treatment outcomes can vary widely from individual to individual.

The most important factor for a woman is her age. As her age increases, especially after 40, fecundity decreases and her chances of conceiving are diminished. Of course, if her partner also has infertility problems, such as a low sperm count, the probability of infertility also increases. For men considering infertility treatment, low sperm motility or other infertility can be avoided through ICSI, PGD/PGS, and more.

No. However, many women with painful periods and pain with intercourse might harbor endometriosis, which is indeed associated with infertility. Therefore, an evaluation is warranted in these cases.

Another one of the in vitro fertilization (IVF) frequently asked questions is women’s health risks. Although the procedure itself is only very rarely dangerous, the drugs used to treat infertility can have side effects, and there is general anesthesia involved. Speak with your physician to understand how we mitigate any risks such as ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS).

Of all of the in vitro fertilization (IVF) frequently asked questions we get from hopeful parents, the health of their children is often at the top of the list. There are conflicting reports that suggest a slight increase in the congenital anomalies with IVF. you should speak with a medical expert before making any decisions. If you want to learn more about IVF, browse our website or for specific questions, or simply contact us today.

Depending on the services you require, infertility treatment can range from $200 to many thousands of dollars. Everyone faces different infertility challenges, so diagnosing and treating patients is highly variable. However, for individuals struggling with finances, we offer payment plans and financial support throughout this process. To find out more about fertility treatment expenses, visit our pricing page.

It depends. Similar to above, because everyone faces different infertility challenges and requires different treatments, you may receive none, partial, or full coverage. We will work with you to maximize your insurance benefits regardless of which provider you use. Additionally, contacting your insurance provider and employer will be important to determining what coverage you receive.