Infertility is common challenge that many couples face, so much so that a number of celebrity couples have come forward in order to voice their own personal struggles with infertility and infertility treatments. Most recently, TV personality and talk show host Giuliana Rancic — who has always been publicly open about her struggles with both breast cancer and infertility — announced that her surrogate had lost the embryo.
Often times, the exact cause for infertility remains unknown, although there a number of factors that can contribute to it. It’s estimated that one-third of infertility can be attributed to the female partner, while one-third can be linked the male partner. The remaining one third is typically caused by a combination of problems found in both partners or is simple unexplained.
While fertility naturally decreases in women with age — women are most fertile between the ages of 20 and 24 — there are several things that both men and women can do in order to remain fertile. Maintaining a healthy diet and regularly engaging in physical activity can help couples stay fertile, regardless of age. A Harvard study found that men who do moderate to strenuous exercise on a regular basis have sperm counts that are 44% higher than men who are sedentary.
However, even healthy couples can have trouble conceiving. There are a number of different types of IVF treatments that can help with this. IVF costs can vary depending on the exact nature of the treatment as well as location, however, on average can cost anywhere from $10,000 to $12,000 and even upwards of $25,000 or more in some cases.
Luckily, IVF insurance can help cover the majority of IVF costs, allowing couples to achieve their dream. In fact, several employers now offer IVF coverage as a part of the health insurance policies available to current employees.