How much do Fertility Treatments Cost After 45 Years of Age?

Understanding the Real Costs of Fertility Treatments After 45 in India.

Fertility treatments after 45 are gaining popularity, offering renewed hope to many starting their parenthood journey later in life. In India, options like In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) are widely accessible.

Understanding both the process and the pricing is key to making informed and confident decisions about your fertility journey.

Cost of Fertility Treatments for Women Over the Age of 45

Here is an overview of the estimated costs of fertility treatments for women over 45:

Popular Types of Fertility Treatment for Women in India

There are various types of fertility treatment options for women who have issues getting pregnant. Here are a few of the popular methods prevalent in India:

• Intrauterine Insemination (IUI)- In IUI, sperm is placed directly in the uterus during ovulation. This significantly increases the chances of fertilisation.
• In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF)- In this procedure, eggs are fertilised by sperm outside of the body in a lab, and then they are transferred to the uterus.
• Ovulation Induction- Uses medication to stimulate the ovaries to produce and release eggs. It is only a viable option if the woman still has a sufficient ovarian reserve (a supply of eggs). In women over 45, this reserve is typically very low, making this treatment less effective.
• Surgery for Fertility Issues- If a woman has fibroids, blocked tubes, or any other problems in the uterus, then surgery is required.
• Hormone Therapy - Hormonal treatments can address specific imbalances that affect fertility, such as thyroid dysfunction. It's important to distinguish this from the complex and costly hormonal injections used for ovarian stimulation in IVF cycles, which are a separate and significant expense.

Cost of Fertility Treatments for Men Over the Age of 45

The cost of fertility treatments for men is a bit different from that of women due to varying procedures and the number of cycles required. Here is an overview of the same:

Popular Types of Fertility Treatment for Men in India

Men face fertility issues due to a lower sperm count, quality of sperm and how the sperm moves. There are different types of fertility treatments which are available to increase the chances of success:

• Sperm Retrieval- When there is no presence of sperm in a man’s semen, the sperm is directly collected from the testicles through a minor procedure.
• Intrauterine Insemination (IUI)- In such a process, healthy sperm are collected and then directly placed into the woman’s uterus.
• In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF)- If the quality of sperm is an issue, then IVF helps the sperm to fertilise eggs outside of the body. After which, the embryo is placed into a woman’s uterus.
• Hormonal Therapy - There are hormonal therapies like FSH and hCG that help stimulate the testes to produce sperm and testosterone.
• Surgery - Surgery improves the production of sperm or retrieves it in case of varicocele or other physical blockages.

Fertility treatments for individuals over 45 offer hope, but they also require a clear understanding of the emotional, physical and financial strains. With procedures of fertility treatments requiring higher costs, planning ahead is crucial. Whether for men or women, being informed about the available fertility treatments and their costs can help navigate this complex journey with confidence and clarity.

Critical Consideration: Success Rates and Donor Eggs

It is crucial to understand that for women over 45, the chances of achieving a successful pregnancy using their own eggs are extremely low, often less than 5% per IVF cycle. This is due to a natural, age-related decline in egg quantity and quality (Diminished Ovarian Reserve).

For this reason, many couples and individuals in this age group explore IVF with Donor Eggs, which offers a significantly higher chance of success (often 50% or more per cycle). The cost for a donor egg IVF cycle is higher, typically ranging from Rs. 3,00,000 to Rs. 6,00,000 or more, as it includes costs for the egg donor's screening, medication, and procedure.