Introduction
Just think about starting your journey into parenthood with challenges and obstacles that you did not think were going to be simple. Many of us can feel a unique sense of impossibility and with no way to get out of it. No matter how you get there, from Canada to the USA and elsewhere, the inroads of reproductive medicine have opened possibilities for treatment options that we never thought possible. Patients are traversing borders to get fertility treatment, from the clinics in Mexico to the top-tier facilities in Greece.
Thesis:
To explore your fertility treatment options internationally, you need to look at the unique landscapes of medical practice, as well as the legal, financial and ethical environments as a patient, which vary from person to person. This guide will help provide the breadth of knowledge a patient should have regarding their own fertility treatments abroad.
1. Understanding Fertility Treatments
What Are Fertility Treatments?
Fertility treatments are medical techniques designed to help individuals or couples achieve pregnancy
In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) – Sperm and eggs are put together in a dish; Some fertilized eggs develop and are called embryos, which are then placed into the uterus.
Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) – Sperm is placed inside the uterus, at the time of ovulation, for the person whose sperm is used and/or when the couple has fertility problems, which could include sexual dysfunction.
Egg or sperm donation – One of the couple cannot use their egg or sperm, consequently, the egg(s) and/or sperm(s) can be donated for use in the fertilization part of the procedure. Both members can consent to use the donated egg(s) and/or sperm(s) for fertilization.
Surrogacy – A surrogate carries a pregnancy for intended or prospective parents.
Fertility Preservation, which could involve egg freezing, and possible, different options for preserving fertility for later use in the reproductive system.
Why Seek Treatment Abroad?
Patients often look to international fertility treatment for:
- Cost-Effectiveness; Lower costs of treatment in countries like Mexico and India.
- Access to Advanced Medical Technology; Access to procedures and equipment that are cutting-edge.
- Legal and Ethical Considerations; Countries with less restrictive laws around egg donation and surrogacy.
- When patients seek out international fertility treatments they will also find benefit in shorter wait times in connection with procedures and consultations.
Top Destinations for Fertility Treatments
Mexico
- Overview: One of the better fertility tourism locations with low-cost, high-quality treatment.
- Price: A full IVF cycle costs $4,000-$7,300.
- Legality: Very progressive egg donation and surrogacy laws.
- Geography: Close to the USA and convenient access for North American patients.
Greece
- Summary: Greece has a reputation for modern medical facilities and a welcoming approach to international patients. In some cases, approximately 50% of their patients are foreign.
- Cost: Affordable IVF and other services
- Legal environment: Egg donation, embryo freezing and legal cycles of fertility treatments for a solo or same sex couple.
- Things to consider: You get the opportunity to experience medical care with a touch of culture.
India
- Overview: A top rated option for medical tourism and has a ton of choices for fertility.
- Cost: Significantly cheaper than U.S. or Europe; costs for IVF can be 50-80% less.
- Legal Limitations: Not available or allowed for international patients for surrogacy; sex selection is illegal.
- Considerations: Many clinics have staff or services who speak English, which can help with communication.
Spain
- Summary: A popular destination for fertility treatments – with comparable success rates and reliability.
- Costs: IVF treatment cycles in Spain are anywhere from €3,900 – €6,000.
- Legal: Spain allows egg donation, embryo cryopreservation, and is inclusive of treatment for same sex couples and single women.
- Limitations: Surrogacy is not legally protected.
Thailand
Summary: Provides high quality fertility fertility services, and modern clinic facilities.
Cost: Average cost of IVF cycle is around $6,000 to $10,000.
Legal Environment: There are regulations that can restrict; surrogacy not allowed for foreigners.
Considerations: Thailand has a high reputation for hospitality and good quality patient care.
3. Key Considerations Before Seeking Treatment Abroad
Legal & Ethical Factors
- Surrogacy laws– Research the location of the destination country to confirm surrogacy laws are supportive.
- Donor anonymity– Know the policies on donor anonymity and post donation contact if any.
- Any age restrictions- Know any age restrictions related to fertility treatment in that country.
Medical Standards and Accreditation
- Clinic is accredited– Confirm it has been accredited with the relevant international accreditation body.
- Success Rates– Research the success rates with what procedure (i.e. IVF).
- Patient Testimonial- Research any patient testimonials or reviews.
Financial Factors
- Support Costs: You may want to consider looking at comparing overall all-in costs (e.g., medications and everything).
- Travel Costs: Think about the travel, accommodation and expenses.
- Insurance: Consider whether your insurance would provide for fertility treatments internationally.
Emotional and Logistical Support
- Language Services: Be sure the clinic has access to translation services should you need it.
- Counselling Support; Look for clinics that would provide psychological counselling prior to, during or after.
- Legal Supports: Research where to get legal advice about your parenting/rights and documentation.
4. Emerging Trends in Fertility Treatments
Genetic Testing with IVF
Summary: Pre-implantation Genetic Testing (PGT) is about any chromosomes abnormalities in embryos.
Pros: PGT also has the potential to increase chances of pregnancy from IVF (especially if older than 35).
Cons: There are only a handful of clinics that offer both IVF and PGT; some clinics will offer it based on your insurance.
Fertility Preservation.
Oocyte Cryopreservation (egg freezing): For women who will need to have eggs preserved for a future event.
Ovarian Tissue Cryopreservation: For prepubertal females, or females that have cancers that may require treatments that remove the ovaries.
Cons: Success rates are very variable; success rate at long term is unknown.
Restorative Reproductive Medicine (RRM)
Summary: It is a complicated evaluation to recover fertility, which would include a combination of lifestyle and hormone changes, and perhaps surgically.
Pros: RRM offers opportunity to help people recover their fertility potentially in a more natural or holistic way.
Cons: RRM may not be based on science; waiting too long to find out your other options to help you have children (i.e. IVF) ends the chance of pregnancy.
5. Patient Experiences and Testimonials
Success Narratives
As an illustration, a couple from the U.S. sought IVF treatment in Mexico because it was far too expensive in the U.S. They were successful in getting pregnant with twins, and they were very pleased with the service provided by the clinic, and thought it was very affordable.
Questions or Issues Encountered
Example: A single woman from Australia had an anonymous sperm donor in South Africa. Although she was able to achieve pregnancy, her child struggled later to access information about their biological ancestry because they were not able to lose anonymity.
What We Learned
Research: Investigate clinics thoroughly as well as success rates and country laws.
Legal Advice: Obtain legal advice to understand parental rights and documents.
Emotional Support: Think about what counseling services can support you through the emotional component of fertility treatments.
Conclusion
Making the decision to pursue fertility treatment is an important one and there are so many moving pieces. Treatment abroad can provide options for lower costs, access to advanced technology, and shorter wait times; however, it is equally important to be aware of the potential for legal complication (in addition to what could be an additional emotional difficulty in seeking treatment initially abroad, and the outcome of the treatment).
If you are planning on travelling abroad for fertility treatments, we encourage you to consult with medical professionals and legal experts, as well as understand there is so much to consider prior to making those decisions. There are a variety of resources like Manaaki Healthcare whose goal is to ensure those that want to seek treatment abroad have the appropriate advice and support in a complicated and difficult journey.
At Manaaki Healthcare, we guide patients through every step of international fertility care — from selecting the right country to connecting with accredited clinics. Explore your options with us today.
