Skip to main content

When to Stop Fertility Treatment

|

When you make the decision to undergo fertility treatment, you’re hopeful that the end result will be a successful pregnancy and a healthy baby. Many advancements have been made in fertility treatments that may make pregnancy possible, but there are no guarantees of success. If month after month goes by without the outcome you’ve been hoping for, it may feel like you’re riding an emotional rollercoaster. How do you know when to stop fertility treatment?
Ultimately it’s a very personal decision, and each couple has to decide what’s best for them. The experts at the Center for Reproductive Health recognize how overwhelming this decision can be and are available to answer questions and offer support.

Reasons to Consider Taking a Break

In some cases, there are medical reasons to stop fertility treatment. Patients who are attempting to get pregnant at an advanced childbearing age know that the more time that passes, the less likely it is that they’ll succeed in attaining a healthy pregnancy.
Some couples are afraid to decide to discontinue fertility treatments because they may think they might be successful if they continue treatment just a little bit longer, maybe just one more month. If there’s no medical reason to stop trying, couples may want to consider simply taking a break to give turbulent emotions some time to calm down before deciding whether to resume treatments. Some reasons to consider taking a break include the pleasure has gone out of your sex life because all you think about and talk about is making a baby, or there’s frequent tension between you and your partner because you feel like you’re disappointing each other.

Is it Time to Stop Altogether?

Undergoing fertility treatments can be emotionally draining and it’s also expensive. Couples who are taking out loans that can’t be paid back within a few months may be creating additional tension for themselves. Instead of continuing to make things worse, they may come to the conclusion it’s time to stop instead of continuing to worsen their financial burden.
Having adverse reactions to fertility drugs such as mood swings or physical pain is another good reason to consider discontinuing treatment. Couples who start spending less and less time together because they find they’re no longer able to connect with each other may also decide to stop altogether.
Some couples set a financial limit or a deadline ahead of time regarding the number of months they’re willing to go through fertility treatment. When the decision is made ahead of time, it can help couples feel more level-headed about deciding to stop and some even feel relieved that they can stop thinking about trying to get pregnant. When the decided number of months has passed, couples feel free to focus their attention on other goals.
Some people reach a point where the emotional upheaval is too much for them. While the decision on whether to continue to pursue fertility treatment is up to each couple, couples have to take stock of both their emotional and financial investment to see if it makes sense to continue or finish fertility treatments altogether.

Get in touch with the compassionate team at the Center for Reproductive Health to discuss your options.

See Dr. Mor’s Publications

Eliran Mor, MD

Reproductive Endocrinologist located in Encino, Santa Monica, Valencia & West Hollywood, CA
Reproductive Endocrinologist located in Encino, Valencia & West Hollywood, CA Doctor Mor received his medical degree from Tel Aviv University-Sackler School of Medicine in Israel. He completed a four-year residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at New York Methodist Hospital in Brooklyn, New York. Subsequently, Dr. Mor completed a three-year fellowship in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility […]
Read More

FAQ

What does a reproductive endocrinologist and infertility specialist do?

Reproductive endocrinology and Infertility is a sub-specialty of Obstetrics and Gynecology. In addition to managing medical and surgical treatment of disorders of the female reproductive tract, reproductive endocrinologist and infertility (REI) specialists undergo additional years of training to provide fertility treatments using assisted reproductive technology (ART) such as in vitro fertilization.

Reproductive endocrinologists receive board certification by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology in both Obstetrics and Gynecology and Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility.

When should I see an REI specialist?

In general, patients should consider consulting with an REI specialist after one year of trying unsuccessfully to achieve pregnancy. The chance of conceiving every month is around 20%, therefore after a full year of trying approximately 15% of couples will still not have achieved a pregnancy.

However, if a woman is over the age of 35 it would be reasonable to see a fertility specialist earlier, typically after 6 months of trying.

Other candidates to seek earlier treatment are women who have irregular menses, endometriosis, fibroids, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), women who have had 2 or more miscarriages, or problems with the fallopian tubes (prior ectopic pregnancy).

What are the reasons we are having trouble conceiving?

Approximately 1/3 of the time cause for infertility is a female factor, 1/3 of the time a male factor, and the remaining 1/3 a couples’ factor.

At CCRH, we emphasize the importance of establishing a correct diagnosis. Both partners undergo a comprehensive evaluation including a medical history and physical exam.

Furthremore, the woman’s ovarian reserve is assessed with a pelvic ultrasound and a hormonal profile. A hysterosalpingogram (HSG) will confirm fallopian tube patency and the uterine cavity is free of intracavitary lesions. A semen analysis is also obtained to evaluate for concentration, motility, and morphology of the sperm.

Additional work up is then individualized to direct the best possible treatment option for each couple.

What is IVF? What is the process like?

In vitro fertilization (IVF) is the process that involves fertilization of an egg outside of a woman’s body.

The process starts with fertility drugs prescribed to help stimulate egg development. In your natural cycle, your body is only able to grow one dominant egg, but with stimulation medication we can recruit multiple eggs to continue to grow. After about 8-10 days of stimulation, the eggs are surgically retrieved and then fertilized with sperm in a specialized laboratory. Fertilized eggs are then cultured under a strictly controlled environment within specialized incubators in the IVF laboratory for 3-5 days while they develop as embryos. Finally, embryos (or an embryo) are transferred into the uterine cavity for implantation.

Should I have IVF?

Before deciding if IVF is the right choice, it’s important to sit down with an REI specialist to discuss available treatment options. For some people, other methods such as fertility drugs, intrauterine insemination (IUI) may be the best first choice treatment. At CCRH, we believe each individual couple is unique and not everyone needs IVF.

Is the IVF procedure painful?

While not painful, the fertility medications may some side effects including headaches, hot flashes, mood swings, and bloating. The injection sites may also bruise.

Will IVF guarantee a baby?

Unfortunately, no. Many people think once they start IVF it’s a matter of time that they will be pregnant and have a baby. But according to national statistics per the Society of Assisted Reproduction (SART), on average 40% of assisted reproduction cycles achieve live births in women under age 35. The chances of success then continue to decrease with advancing age.

At CCRH, we employ only evidence-based interventions to ensure patient safety and optimal outcome. While we cannot guarantee a baby, we guarantee that you will receive the best, most advanced, personalized care to help you maximize your chance of a baby.

What is the success rate for IVF?

The average IVF success rate (success measured in live birth rate) using one’s own eggs begins to drop around age 35 and then rapidly after age 40. This is due to the decline in egg quantity and egg quality as a woman ages.

Our clinic’s success rate consistently beats the national average year after year.

Do insurance plans cover infertility treatment? How much does IVF cost?

Individual insurance plans often do not have any coverage for infertility treatments. If you have a group plan, you can call members services to see if they have coverage for infertility (including consultation/workup and IVF).

After your consultation with our REI specialist, one of our dedicated account managers with sit with you to go over the cost of treatment.

You May Also Like