There was a time, a few decades ago, when the inability to have children was a problem that rarely, if ever, found a cure. Times have changed, however, and thanks to a variety of treatments including IVF, US fertility is improving.
Let’s take a closer look at infertility and IVF in the USA today.
How Many People Are Affected?
It may not seem like it when you’re wrestling with infertility alone as a couple, but about 6.1 million Americans – or nearly one in seven couples – suffer from some sort of infertility. Not all of those couples will opt for IVF in the USA, but it does help to put the scale of the problem in perspective. It also helps to alleviate a little bit of the feeling of loneliness that comes with the fertility battle.
What Causes Infertility?
One of the big reasons that people feel so powerless when it comes to infertility is that there’s no clear cut cause of fertility trouble.
Some people need IVF in the USA because of past injuries and illness. Some need it because the man in the relationship has a low sperm count. Others because of ovulation trouble. Whatever it is though, you should always remember that no one is ever to blame for fertility trouble.
IVF USA – Your Odds for Conceiving
When you commit to trying to conceive, whether it’s on your own, using fertility drugs or anything else, you have a good chance that you will be among the 85 to 90% of couples who conceive within a year.
Try to remember, however, that your odds will decrease over time, so start trying as soon as possible, and if you are older than 30, allow a little more time to conceive. The last thing you need is to set unrealistic targets and start getting stressed. Remember that stress itself can be a contributing factor in infertility trouble.
Things to Do Before You Try IVF in the USA
IVF in the USA sometimes sounds like the first option for many people – but the truth is, it’s not. There are plenty of other things you could be doing before you turn to costly IVF:
- Stop smoking.
- Eat healthier.
- Stop drinking.
- Plan to have sex at least every two or three days – that way, you can’t miss your fertile sweet spot.
- Book an appointment with a fertility specialist.
- Look into other forms of fertility treatment.
- Remember that there’s more than one type of IVF in the USA. Explore all the options.
IVF in the USA is a big factor in reducing the number of childless couples out there – but it’s not a band aid. It’s not a one size fits all solution, and it’s not something you should enter into lightly.
If you do your homework, however, IVF in the USA can help to make you one of the millions of struggle couples who will take their new baby home this year.
Tamara A. Spelling wrote this article on IVF USA for Red Rock Fertility Center in Las Vegas, NV.