Fertility treatments: practical options and real next steps

Trying to get pregnant can feel like a long, confusing road. Fertility treatments cover a lot of ground — simple medications to full in‑lab procedures — and the right choice depends on your diagnosis, age, budget, and personal goals. This page gives plain, useful facts so you can ask the right questions at your clinic.

Common treatment options

Here are the treatments you’ll hear about most:

• Ovulation induction — pills like clomiphene or letrozole, or injectable gonadotropins to help anovulatory women release eggs.
• Intrauterine insemination (IUI) — washed sperm placed near the uterus around ovulation. It’s less invasive and cheaper than IVF.
• In vitro fertilization (IVF) — eggs retrieved, fertilized in the lab, then embryos transferred back. Used for many causes of infertility, including blocked tubes and severe male factor.
• ICSI — a single sperm injected into an egg during IVF. Often used when semen quality is low.
• Surgery — laparoscopy or hysteroscopy to correct structural issues like fibroids, blocked tubes, or endometriosis.
• Donor eggs/sperm and surrogacy — options when one partner can’t provide viable gametes or pregnancy isn’t possible.
• Fertility preservation — egg or sperm freezing for medical reasons or delaying parenthood.

What to expect: tests, success, risks, and costs

Before treatment, doctors usually order a few basic tests: semen analysis, ovarian reserve testing (AMH), and imaging like an HSG to check tubes. Those tests guide which treatment makes sense.

Success rates vary. IUI success per cycle is modest; IVF success per cycle depends on age and clinic quality and can range widely. Ask your clinic for their live birth rates by age — that’s the number that matters.

Know the main risks: multiple pregnancy after ovulation drugs or IUI, and ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) after strong stimulation. IVF carries procedure risks like infection and emotional and financial strain more than physical danger for most people.

Costs differ a lot by country and clinic. IUI is usually cheaper. IVF and advanced services (ICSI, egg freezing, donor gametes) add substantial cost. Insurance may cover some tests or treatments — check ahead.

Quick practical tips: get a clear diagnosis first, track cycles for a few months, test both partners, and ask for clinic success rates broken down by age. Consider a second opinion if a clinic pushes a high‑cost treatment without explaining simpler options.

Fertility work is personal and often stressful. Look for clinics that answer your questions plainly, offer clear pricing, and talk about emotional support or counseling. If you want, start by booking a consultation and bringing a short list of priorities: timeline, budget, and how much medical intervention you’re willing to try.

If you have specific questions about medications, procedures, or what tests mean, ask here or bring those questions to your care team. Talking through options makes the path forward a lot clearer.