Heard stories about fertility treatment that make you go “Hmmmm?”
Some of those stories are true. Others are kinda true. A few have been exaggerated. Let’s talk about those stories.
Story you may have heard: Fertility treatments make women much more likely to give birth to multiples (twins, triplets, etc.).
Facts you should know: Most women who give birth as a result of fertility treatments will have just one baby. According to RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association, fewer than 10 percent of women taking oral fertility drugs and one-third of in-vitro fertilization (IVF) patients under the age of 35 in this country will have twins. So much more likely? No. More likely? Maybe a little.
Story you may have heard: Fertility treatments are prohibitively expensive.
Facts you should know: Costs for treatments—especially if you undergo more than one round of them—can add up. But depending on the clinic you use and your insurance, you may be able to reduce your out-of-pocket expenses. Some policies cover portions of the process (like infertility diagnosis or maybe even medicine). Clinics like SpringCreek will help you understand and choose financing options, and you may qualify for a reduced fee.
Story you may have heard: Fertility treatments, like ovarian stimulation, cause cancer.
Fact you should know: While some women may develop ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome—a painful swelling of the ovaries—there is no evidence that fertility treatments significantly increase the risk of ovarian cancer, according to the National Institutes of Health.
Story you may have heard: IVF takes away eggs that a woman would otherwise have in reserve for future ovulation cycles.
Fact you should know: In a natural monthly cycle, a woman’s body gathers a group of eggs for potential fertilization. Only one of those eggs would likely be fertilized, while the others die. IVF simply replicates a process that isn’t happening naturally. Also, a woman’s ovarian reserves diminish as she ages, no matter what.
