2026 is the year of possibilities as with the advancements in technologies, people’s lives are about to get easier. But let’s not forget, the problem of infertility is still on the rise worldwide due to various medical and lifestyle factors, causing an increase in the demand for fertility treatments like IVF. And while the advancements in reproductive science have been improving everyday, the cost of the treatment and the financial strain that people availing these treatments have to undergo has remained unchanged. To understand why these treatments become a financial burden, it is important to know what exactly influences the cost of treatments like IVF.
Factors affecting IVF cost
The cost of IVF is determined by the consultation fees. This fee is determined by the time it takes to perform the procedure. The cost of IVF care is directly determined by all of the prescription facilities and services offered to the patient throughout a seven-month period to create eggs. Let's divide these cost steps into details:
- Testing in the laboratory
During the IVF treatment, all infertility issues are measured in the lab, and various tests are conducted and monitored. Semen studies are performed to assess male and female hormone levels as measured by blood tests and other medical procedures that affect the cost of IVF procedure.
Ultrasound is a type of imaging that uses sound waves. Ultrasounds are used in the procedure of IVF to evaluate fertility issues that affect treatment costs. The scan shows the outline of the uterus, the diameter of the ovaries, the thickness of the endometrium, and the number of reserved eggs needed to finish the IVF process successfully.
- Sperm Preparation
Sperm Preparation is the process of generating good quality sperm. It takes a lengthy period since the donor must undergo extensive testing before donating sperm. Before being used for reproduction, the given sperm must first also undergo a special centrifugal procedure. The fertility lab solely uses healthy sperm for fertilisation, which raises the cost of IVF treatment.
When a woman's frozen embryo has a better probability of becoming pregnant than a fresh embryo, the doctors recommend that couples freeze the fertilised eggs for future IVF cycles. It is a pricey process that is typically triggered by ICSI treatments.
Embryo transfer is the process of inserting an embryo into the uterus of a woman. If the embryo is retained or frozen for future IVF cycles, the frozen embryo is transferred into the uterus. Although the cost of frozen embryo transfer is relatively low in comparison to the entire cost of IVF, it is one of the most critical factors influencing IVF costs.
- Medication cost
Fertility specialists recommend but do not provide oral and injectable fertility medicines and hormones used in IVF. The price is mostly set by the pharmacy that fills the prescription.
- Embryo storage
The word embryo storage refers to the process of storing embryos. If your IVF cycle produces more viable embryos than needed for transfer, you can freeze them for future transfers. The embryo storage service is often provided by a separate facility, which charges its own set of fees.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has encouraged countries, including India, to make fertility care safer, fairer, and more affordable by releasing its first worldwide guideline on infertility prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. This guideline has offered 40 recommendations to improve early diagnosis, cost-effective treatment approaches, and the integration of fertility services into national health systems. It emphasises prevention by raising awareness about fertility, age-related decline, healthy lifestyles, and addressing major causes, including untreated sexually transmitted illnesses and tobacco use.
Infertility affects one in every six adults of reproductive age, yet access to fertility services is limited and expensive. Many countries, like India, require patients to pay for treatment out of pocket, leaving couples with huge bills. A single IVF round can cost more than the average family's annual salary, leading many to seek unregulated or experimental treatments.
WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus described infertility as "one of the most overlooked public-health challenges," claiming that millions of people are shut out of medical services or forced to choose between treatments and financial security. WHO also emphasises the emotional load (depression, anxiety, stigma, and isolation) and advises continued psychosocial support while undergoing these treatments.
Conclusion
While the need for IVF has increased, we can hope to see financial assistance being provided to all in the near future in 2026, so that everyone facing fertility challenges can avail their treatment on time and experience the joy of parenthood successfully.
