Latest news with #AmericanSocietyforReproductiveMedicine
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
They spent over $200K to expand their family. Doctors say it's common for LGBTQ+ couples.
Matt Tolbert and his husband Joshua Gonzales knew they wanted kids for at least a decade. The New York thirtysomethings began their research into surrogacy and adoption and determined they'd need upwards of $100,000. 'We didn't really know how we were going to get there,' Tolbert, 36, says over a Zoom call. But as they dove into the process, they quickly discovered the cost of surrogacy in the U.S. had increased. Estimates vary, but that cost could be as high as double or triple that $100,000 they'd planned on. It's a common story among LGBTQ+ people who want to grow their families but face a medical system that was built for heterosexual couples. While decades of technological advancements have improved fertility care, there's been little change to better accommodate same-sex, transgender or nonbinary couples, said Marea Goodman, a licensed midwife and founder of PregnantTogether, a virtual community for queer and solo parents. 'The history of fertility care is based in a lot of heterosexuality,' they said. 'The same tactics that they use for heterosexual people, who have been trying to conceive at home but can't, are not appropriate for the LGBTQ folks or solo parents who are accessing those same services.' Tolbert and Gonzales face what many LGBTQ+ couples do: The fact that insurance doesn't cover their fertility journey. Until recently, most insurance companies followed the American Society for Reproductive Medicine's definition for fertility, which defined infertility as a condition in which heterosexual couples couldn't conceive after a year of unprotected intercourse. 'If you're a gay couple, you're not infertile, or you may be, but that's not the reason for you going through fertility treatments,' Tolbert added. In October 2023, the organization expanded that definition to include all patients who require intervention. About two dozen states have laws mandating private insurers to cover fertility treatments, according to a KFF database. However, only Colorado, Illinois, Maine and Washington, D.C. explicitly include LGBTQ+ people. California's new law, which goes into effect July 2025, mandates coverage for IVF and expands the definition of infertility to include LGBTQ+ people. It would only apply to larger companies with more than 100 employees. Still, it's a step in the right direction, said Dr. Mickey Coffler, reproductive endocrinologist at HRC Fertility, a network of fertility clinics in California. 'We are responsible as providers to do the best in our abilities to educate patients and make them aware of their rights because this new state bill is quite revolutionary and it's going to be very helpful,' he said. Pride Month: What is it and why is it celebrated in June? Between July 2024 and February 2025, Tolbert and Gonzales underwent fertility and tested for sexually transmitted infections ($652); flew to Mexico and made semen deposits ($2,380); selected an egg donor with enough frozen eggs for two IVF journeys; and made embryo transfers. Today, one of the couple's surrogate is 18 weeks along and the other nine weeks. Tolbert and Gonzales used the same egg donor so their children would be half-siblings. The fees for their agency, donor, surrogates and other medical fees tallied $118,295, and overall, they spent $143,538 with an additional expected $78,028 for a total of $221,566. A limited supply of egg and sperm donors, and surrogates is also partly driving rising costs for LGBTQ+ people, Coffler said. American families are also competing with international families who are seeking similar services in the U.S. Rising fees "has become a huge barrier for these patients to be able to afford those services,' he said. Despite the mounting costs, Tolbert and Gonzales are excited to build their family. In the meantime, they aim to showcase their journey and educate their followers along the way. 'We're sharing this not for sympathy, but for transparency,' Tolbert said in a recent TikTok video, 'and for those of you exploring similar paths to have a real-world example. Every journey is unique, and costs can vary wildly, but knowledge is power.' Adrianna Rodriguez can be reached at adrodriguez@ This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Infertility, IVF: How LGBTQ couples navigate a heterosexual system
USA Today
2 days ago
- Health
- USA Today
They spent over $200K to expand their family. Doctors say it's common for LGBTQ+ couples.
They spent over $200K to expand their family. Doctors say it's common for LGBTQ+ couples. Show Caption Hide Caption West Hollywood Pride parade kicks off in colorful fashion West Hollywood held its annual pride parade in vibrant fashion. Matt Tolbert and his husband Joshua Gonzales knew they wanted kids for at least a decade. The New York thirtysomethings began their research into surrogacy and adoption and determined they'd need upwards of $100,000. 'We didn't really know how we were going to get there,' Tolbert, 36, says over a Zoom call. But as they dove into the process, they quickly discovered the cost of surrogacy in the U.S. had increased. Estimates vary, but that cost could be as high as double or triple that $100,000 they'd planned on. It's a common story among LGBTQ+ people who want to grow their families but face a medical system that was built for heterosexual couples. While decades of technological advancements have improved fertility care, there's been little change to better accommodate same-sex, transgender or nonbinary couples, said Marea Goodman, a licensed midwife and founder of PregnantTogether, a virtual community for queer and solo parents. 'The history of fertility care is based in a lot of heterosexuality,' they said. 'The same tactics that they use for heterosexual people, who have been trying to conceive at home but can't, are not appropriate for the LGBTQ folks or solo parents who are accessing those same services.' Tolbert and Gonzales face what many LGBTQ+ couples do: The fact that insurance doesn't cover their fertility journey. Until recently, most insurance companies followed the American Society for Reproductive Medicine's definition for fertility, which defined infertility as a condition in which heterosexual couples couldn't conceive after a year of unprotected intercourse. 'If you're a gay couple, you're not infertile, or you may be, but that's not the reason for you going through fertility treatments,' Tolbert added. In October 2023, the organization expanded that definition to include all patients who require intervention. About two dozen states have laws mandating private insurers to cover fertility treatments, according to a KFF database. However, only Colorado, Illinois, Maine and Washington, D.C. explicitly include LGBTQ+ people. California's new law, which goes into effect July 2025, mandates coverage for IVF and expands the definition of infertility to include LGBTQ+ people. It would only apply to larger companies with more than 100 employees. Still, it's a step in the right direction, said Dr. Mickey Coffler, reproductive endocrinologist at HRC Fertility, a network of fertility clinics in California. 'We are responsible as providers to do the best in our abilities to educate patients and make them aware of their rights because this new state bill is quite revolutionary and it's going to be very helpful,' he said. Pride Month: What is it and why is it celebrated in June? Between July 2024 and February 2025, Tolbert and Gonzales underwent fertility and tested for sexually transmitted infections ($652); flew to Mexico and made semen deposits ($2,380); selected an egg donor with enough frozen eggs for two IVF journeys; and made embryo transfers. Today, one of the couple's surrogate is 18 weeks along and the other nine weeks. Tolbert and Gonzalez used the same egg donor so their children would be half-siblings. The fees for their agency, donor, surrogates and other medical fees tallied $118,295, and overall, they spent $143,538 with an additional expected $78,028 for a total of $221,566. A limited supply of egg and sperm donors, and surrogates is also partly driving rising costs for LGBTQ+ people, Coffler said. American families are also competing with international families who are seeking similar services in the U.S. Rising fees "has become a huge barrier for these patients to be able to afford those services,' he said. Despite the mounting costs, Tolbert and Gonzales are excited to build their family. In the meantime, they aim to showcase their journey and educate their followers along the way. 'We're sharing this not for sympathy, but for transparency,' Tolbert said in a recent TikTok video, 'and for those of you exploring similar paths to have a real-world example. Every journey is unique, and costs can vary wildly, but knowledge is power.' Adrianna Rodriguez can be reached at adrodriguez@
Mint
29-05-2025
- Health
- Mint
Why Period Pain Isn't ‘Normal'? - Decoding the Endometriosis and Infertility Connection
Meet Priya, a 34-year-old software professional who endured excruciating period pain for years, brushing it off as something normal just another part of being a woman. Like many, she was told to 'tough it out.' It wasn't until the pain began disrupting her daily life that she sought medical help and was diagnosed with endometriosis, a condition that often goes undetected and can quietly impact fertility if not managed in time. Endometriosis is a medical condition where tissue similar to the lining inside the uterus starts growing outside it usually on the ovaries, fallopian tubes, or other parts of the pelvis. This tissue behaves like the uterine lining: it thickens, breaks down, and bleeds each month. But unlike a normal period, this blood has nowhere to go. Over time, this can cause pain, swelling, scar tissue, and in some cases, fertility issues. The most common sign is severe period pain, but it can also lead to discomfort during sex, heavy bleeding, and fatigue. As per World Health Organization (WHO) states that endometriosis may affect 10% of women of reproductive age globally, many of whom may be undiagnosed for years. While not every woman with endometriosis has fertility issues, studies indicate that endometriosis is associated with infertility in 30–50% of cases (American Society for Reproductive Medicine). In some cases, even when a woman with endometriosis is fertile, the pain and hormonal imbalances can interfere with her ability to conceive naturally. Data Point Statistic Source Global prevalence among women of reproductive age ~10% (approx. 190 million globally) World Health Organization (WHO), 2023 Average delay in diagnosis 7 to 10 years Human Reproduction Update, Volume 27, Issue 5, 2021 Percentage of women with endometriosis who face infertility 30% to 50% American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) Percentage of infertile women found to have endometriosis 25% to 50% Journal of Endometriosis and Pelvic Pain Disorders, ScienceDirect Women reporting moderate to severe menstrual pain Around 60% of endometriosis patients Journal of Endometriosis, Vol. 2, Issue 2 Average time to treatment after first symptoms Often more than 6 years BMJ Open, 2019 Endometriosis is one of the most underdiagnosed reproductive health disorders, often taking years to be identified. On average, there is a delay of 7 to 10 years between the onset of symptoms and a proper diagnosis (Source: Human Reproduction Update). This delay happens for several key reasons: Symptom Overlap : The pelvic pain, heavy bleeding, and digestive discomfort caused by endometriosis often mimic other conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or regular menstrual cramps, making it difficult to pinpoint. : The pelvic pain, heavy bleeding, and digestive discomfort caused by endometriosis often mimic other conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or regular menstrual cramps, making it difficult to pinpoint. Normalisation of Pain : Many women are led to believe that intense period pain is just part of life. As a result, they delay seeking help until symptoms worsen. Nearly 60% of women with endometriosis experience moderate to severe menstrual pain ( Journal of Endometriosis ). : Many women are led to believe that intense period pain is just part of life. As a result, they delay seeking help until symptoms worsen. Nearly ( ). Invasive Diagnosis: A confirmed diagnosis usually requires laparoscopic surgery, a procedure that many delay unless symptoms become severe, contributing further to late detection. Dr. Rashmika Gandhi, Senior Reproductive Health Specialist at Birla Fertility & IVF, explains: 'Because the symptoms of endometriosis are so varied - and often dismissed as 'normal period pain' - many women suffer silently for years. Early and accurate diagnosis is critical, not just for managing pain, but also for addressing potential fertility issues.' Symptoms of Endometriosis While there is currently no definitive cure for endometriosis, several treatment options can manage its symptoms and potentially reverse its progression: Hormonal Therapies: These therapies aim to shrink endometrial lesions and reduce inflammation. Medications such as birth control pills, GnRH agonists, and progestins can help reduce or eliminate pain by regulating the menstrual cycle. These therapies aim to shrink endometrial lesions and reduce inflammation. Medications such as birth control pills, GnRH agonists, and progestins can help reduce or eliminate pain by regulating the menstrual cycle. Surgical Intervention: Laparoscopic surgery can remove endometrial implants and adhesions, often leading to significant pain relief and improved fertility outcomes. Laparoscopic surgery can remove endometrial implants and adhesions, often leading to significant pain relief and improved fertility outcomes. Pain Management: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are commonly prescribed to manage the pain associated with endometriosis. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are commonly prescribed to manage the pain associated with endometriosis. Lifestyle Modifications: Incorporating a balanced diet rich in antioxidants, regular exercise, and stress-reduction techniques like yoga or meditation can help alleviate symptoms. Incorporating a balanced diet rich in antioxidants, regular exercise, and stress-reduction techniques like yoga or meditation can help alleviate symptoms. Emerging Treatments: Research into novel therapies, such as immunomodulators and targeted anti-inflammatory drugs, offers hope for more effective long-term management. Dr. Rashmika Gandhiadds, 'While science is yet to find a cure for endometriosis, a combination of surgical and non-surgical treatments tailored to each woman's needs can significantly reduce symptoms and improve quality of life.' Endometriosis is more than just painful periods; it's a chronic condition that can affect quality of life and fertility if left unmanaged. Recognising symptoms early, understanding potential risks, and seeking timely medical care can make a significant difference. Open conversations and better awareness help individuals make informed choices about their health. No one should have to live with ongoing pain or unanswered questions about their body. If you've been experiencing severe menstrual cramps, pelvic pain, or difficulties conceiving, consult a gynaecologist. With the right care and support, managing endometriosis is possible — and so is living well. Note to readers: This article is part of Mint's paid consumer connect Initiative. Mint assumes no editorial involvement or responsibility for errors, omissions, or content accuracy. Want to get your story featured as above? click here!
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
A one-hour mouth swab may make IVF more successful—here's what hopeful parents should know
For many families, IVF is a journey filled with unknowns—and often, heartbreak. The physical toll, the emotional rollercoaster, and the financial cost can be overwhelming. But new research from Sweden offers a glimmer of hope, introducing a simple tool that could make this process more effective—and a little gentler. A recent study from Lund University has found that a quick, non-invasive mouth swab could help doctors personalize hormone treatments for IVF, potentially boosting success rates by up to 38%. That could mean 110 more babies born for every 1,000 women treated—offering not just data, but dreams made real. IVF, or in vitro fertilization, involves stimulating the ovaries to produce eggs, which are then retrieved, fertilized, and implanted into the uterus. It sounds straightforward—but anyone who has walked this road knows how complex it really is. One of the biggest challenges? Finding the right hormone treatment for each woman's unique biology. Hormone treatments are used to help eggs mature before retrieval. But not all women respond the same way. And when the hormones aren't the right fit, the chances of a successful pregnancy drop, and side effects rise. According to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, while IVF births are on the rise in the U.S.—with more than 95,000 babies born via IVF in 2023—up to 75% of IVF cycles still end in failure. That's a staggering statistic, and one that researchers have been working to change. The Lund University study looked at the genetic data of 1,466 women undergoing IVF at Skåne University Hospital in Malmö, Sweden. They discovered that a woman's genes can actually predict how well she'll respond to different hormone treatments. One gene in particular—the FSHR gene, which plays a key role in egg maturation—was found to influence outcomes. Women with a certain variation in this gene did better with biological hormones, while those without it had better results with synthetic ones. This led researchers to create a test: a simple mouth swab that analyzes these genetic markers and gives a clear result in just one hour. The test uses colors—pink or yellow—to indicate the most suitable hormone treatment. Related: This woman's reaction to her friend's pregnancy reveal sheds light on the hidden grief of infertility For families struggling with infertility, this development could be life-changing. Matching treatment to genetics helped increase IVF success by 38%. That's not just a number—it's more babies, more happy endings, and fewer cycles of emotional and physical strain. 'Our hope is that this will reduce the risk of suffering for women, increase the number of successful treatments and cut costs for taxpayers,' said Yvonne Lundberg Giwercman, CEO of the company developing the test. Related: Why we need National Infertility Awareness Week more than ever If you're considering IVF—or supporting someone who is—this new swab test might be a key part of the journey in the near future. It's expected to be available by 2026, and could become a standard part of IVF preparation, helping doctors offer more tailored and compassionate care. It's a step forward that doesn't just bring new science—it brings new hope. And for every parent holding on to the dream of a child, that hope means everything.
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
What Trump, the ‘fertilization president,' can learn from state efforts to expand IVF access
Mariah Freschi of Rocklin, Calif., and her husband, Jarred, would like to have a second child but are struggling to afford the necessary in vitro fertilization and don't have infertility coverage. (Mariah Freschi) This article first appeared on KFF Health News. For nearly three agonizing years, Mariah Freschi and her husband have been trying to have a second baby. The California mother recently underwent surgery to remove her blocked fallopian tubes, leaving in vitro fertilization as her only option to get pregnant. But the cost quoted by her Sacramento-area clinic was $25,000 — out of reach for Freschi, a preschool teacher, and her husband, a warehouse worker. 'When we first found out IVF was our only option, it just felt so overwhelming,' said Freschi, who has insurance through the California marketplace. 'No one sets aside 20, 30 grand to grow your family.' The Freschis are far from alone in requiring medical assistance to have children: About 13% of women and 11% of men in the U.S. experience infertility, while others are in a same-sex relationship, single or want to preserve their eggs or sperm before undergoing various medical treatments. And, like the Freschis, many Americans do not have health insurance that pays for IVF. During his campaign, President Donald Trump vowed that the government would cover IVF or require insurers to cover it. In February, he signed an executive order seeking policy recommendations on expanding IVF access, dubbing himself the 'fertilization president' a few weeks later. Whether the administration's efforts will change policy remains unknown, but state-level attempts to mandate fertility coverage reveal the gauntlet of budgetary and political hurdles that such initiatives face — obstacles that have led to millions of people being left out. 'There are economic opponents, and there are ideological opponents,' said Sean Tipton, a lobbyist for the American Society for Reproductive Medicine. 'It is a tough lineup of opponents. And that's very consistent from state to state.' Twenty-two states have passed legislation requiring insurers to cover at least some fertility care, and 15 of those require coverage for IVF. The laws vary widely, though, when it comes to who and what gets covered, largely because of debates over cost. Fertility services can range from diagnostic testing and ovulation-enhancing drugs to IVF, widely considered the most effective but also the most expensive treatment, during which one or more lab-fertilized eggs are transferred to a uterus. It's mostly those footing the bill amid rising health care costs and state deficits that have voiced opposition. State insurance mandates 'factor in significantly' when it comes to whether employers continue to provide coverage at all because of financial concerns, according to Chris Bond, a spokesperson for AHIP, which represents health insurers, who also said employers 'want to have flexibility with how these benefits are structured.' States cite concerns about higher premiums and the budget impact of having to cover government workers. In the past few years, infertility coverage bills in Minnesota, North Dakota and Louisiana, for example, failed largely over cost. IVF advocates, however, cite data from a decade ago showing that fertility care in states with mandates has accounted for less than 1% of total premium costs, a figure similar to estimates for newer mandates. And advocates often argue that building a family is a human right, though fertility care is disproportionately used by wealthy, white women. Covering IVF for the Medicaid population, which includes more than 70 million Americans, rarely works its way into legislative proposals. California is a case study in how many of these conversations play out. Cost concerns sank IVF legislation in the state for several years before lawmakers approved a mandate last year. SB 729 goes into effect July 1 and requires large employers with state-regulated health insurance to cover infertility diagnosis and treatment, including IVF. State employees will get coverage in 2027. Few states cover fertility treatment for same-sex couples, but that could be changing California's mandate is considered one of the most comprehensive and inclusive in the country, said Barbara Collura, president of Resolve: The National Infertility Association, making same-sex couples and single parents eligible for coverage. But it still leaves out most of the state's insured population, including those covered by Medicaid, the Affordable Care Act marketplace and self-insured companies, which account for the majority of workers and are federally regulated. Mimi Demissew, executive director of Our Family Coalition, an LGBTQ+ rights nonprofit that co-sponsored SB 729, said her group envisioned the broadest possible mandate, which would have included people covered by small employers, the marketplace and other privately purchased plans. 'We dreamed big,' she said. 'But the pushback and the whittling down was because of the budget.' Gov. Gavin Newsom's finance department opposed SB 729 over concerns about the state's budget and higher premiums. And groups representing the state's health plans and employers cited costs in their opposition, with the California Chamber of Commerce calling health care 'one of the most formidable expenses a business experiences,' per a legislative analysis. The law going into effect this year is estimated to cover around 9 million people, 5 million fewer than originally proposed. Annual premiums, whose cost is typically shared by employers and employees, are projected to increase for people with state-regulated health insurance by approximately $40 per person covered in the first year. More than 10 states — including California — have what fertility experts call 'comprehensive' coverage, which requires some insurers to cover IVF with minimal restrictions. But even in those states, large swaths of the population miss out. In Massachusetts, which has one of the country's oldest, broadest mandates for infertility coverage, including IVF, only about 30% of women were eligible as of 2019. Those covered by these mandates, however, are grateful. Luisa Lopez, a nonprofit executive, credited the three IVF cycles that New York's mandate covered with allowing her and her husband to have a baby after 10 years of trying. 'I feel very lucky to live in a state that prioritized this,' Lopez said. Still, she said, she was on the hook for thousands of dollars in copays and other costs. In states with narrow mandates, coverage is elusive. With limited exceptions, only state employees have qualified for IVF coverage through Utah's mandate, for example. Joseph Letourneau, a University of Utah fertility specialist who successfully lobbied for fertility preservation coverage for Medicaid patients and state employees with cancer, said he couldn't recall ideological opposition to fertility coverage but that some legislators were concerned about raising costs. Oklahoma and Kentucky limit coverage requirements to patients who wish to preserve their fertility because of specific medical conditions. Some opponents of IVF coverage say life begins at the moment of conception and have expressed concerns about the disposal of embryos during the IVF process. Potential threats to IVF push political novices into election-year advocacy Chieko Noguchi, a spokesperson for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, said the Catholic Church teaches that IVF is morally wrong because it 'involves the death or freezing of embryonic children and treats human beings like products that can be bought and ordered.' In Republican-controlled-Georgia, some advocates say the proposal of abortion restrictions has distracted from efforts to mandate fertility coverage. SisterSong, a reproductive justice nonprofit, supports two bills that would require private insurers and Medicaid to cover IVF in Georgia. But, the organization's director of maternal health and birth equity initiatives, Leah Jones, acknowledged a steep uphill battle given the costs and anti-abortion legislation that some advocates fear could criminalize IVF. Having to fight just for the legality of IVF, she said, detracts from expanding access. 'We're always on the defense,' Jones said. Several states, including Georgia, are weighing or have passed bills that would protect access to IVF after Alabama's state Supreme Court ruled that embryos created through IVF should be considered children, leading to temporary suspension of those services. Zemmie Fleck, executive director of Georgia Right to Life, said the Georgia anti-abortion bill would not make IVF illegal. This fissure in Trump's base over protecting versus restricting or even prohibiting IVF has raised questions about how his executive order will play out. Letourneau of Utah said some of his patients have asked if the order will cover their treatment costs. The White House did not respond to requests for comment. While a growing number of companies provide IVF coverage as a health benefit, most patients are left to find ways to pay on their own. Some have turned to loans — IVF financing startups such as Gaia and Future Family have raised millions in venture funding. The Freschis have applied for grants, are crowdfunding, and have put their upcoming cycle on a credit card. 'It's so scary,' said Freschi, describing worries about potential unexpected IVF costs. 'It just feels like you're constantly walking around with a weight on you.' This article was produced by KFF Health News, which publishes California Healthline, an editorially independent service of the California Health Care Foundation. KFF Health News is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs at KFF — an independent source of health policy research, polling and journalism. Learn more about KFF.
