Fertility Care Is Failing Millions: Here’s How We Fix It
Fertility and patient care has been lacking and the impact is clear. The solution? Fertility care can’t stop at the clinic door.
Fertility Care Is Failing Millions: Here’s How We Fix It
Infertility is a medical condition that affects 1 in 6 people worldwide, yet for many, accessing fertility care feels impossible. From financial strain to limited treatment options and emotional distress, the system is failing the very people who need it most.
A patient study by myStoria and Fertility Matters Canada exposes just how deep these gaps run:
92% of people are actively searching for fertility resources but struggling to find them.
68% describe their fertility experience as negative, using words like stressful, frustrating, and overwhelming.
72% cite cost as the biggest barrier, followed by limited access to fertility specialists.
40% of women dealing with infertility have experienced anxiety or depression due to the emotional toll.
The message is clear: fertility care can’t stop at the clinic door. The emotional, financial, and mental health aspects of infertility are being overlooked, leaving millions of people feeling lost, unsupported, and alone.
The Emotional Toll of Infertility Is Being Ignored
If you’ve been through infertility, you already know, it’s not just about the physical treatments. The emotional impact is massive. The stress of waiting, hoping, grieving, and trying again can feel all-consuming, yet most fertility clinics focus only on the medical side of care.
Research shows that infertility carries the same emotional toll as a cancer diagnosis, yet mental health support is often an afterthought. Nearly 40% of women in the study reported experiencing anxiety or depression, and many described feeling completely alone in their struggles.
Fertility struggles can take over every part of life-friendships, work, finances, and even a person’s sense of self. But too often, emotional support is treated as optional, rather than essential. This has to change.
Fertility Education Shouldn’t Be This Hard to Find
Nearly 30% of people in the study felt they lacked the information they needed to make confident fertility decisions. This isn’t surprising: IVF, IUI, ICSI, egg freezing, hormone levels, success rates, embryo grading… it’s all overwhelming.
But here’s the truth: understanding your options shouldn’t feel like a full-time job.
What are the real chances of success with IVF?
Should you do a fresh or frozen embryo transfer?
How do you advocate for better treatment when doctors dismiss your concerns?
Without clear, science-backed information, patients are left relying on trial and error, social media, or conflicting advice from doctors. This only adds to the stress and confusion.
Accessible fertility education is necessary. People deserve straightforward, evidence-based guidance so they can make informed decisions about their treatment.
The Cost of Fertility Care Is Pushing People Out
We need to talk about money. IVF can cost upwards of $20,000 per cycle, and most insurance plans don’t cover it. Even for those with partial coverage, the financial burden is crushing.
This study confirms what fertility warriors already know cost is the #1 barrier to treatment.
And it’s not just about affording one round of IVF. People are forced to drain their savings, take out loans, crowdfund, or give up on their dream of having a family altogether.
But finances aren’t the only obstacle. The study also found that 60% of respondents are worried about shifting fertility policies, and one-third have changed their decisions because of political uncertainty.
This highlights the urgent need for fertility advocacy, better insurance coverage, and policy protections that ensure everyone who needs treatment can access it without the constant fear of financial ruin or legal barriers.
A Call for Change: Fertility Care Needs to Evolve
The results of this study make one thing clear: fertility care isn’t just about getting people pregnant—it’s about supporting them through every part of this journey.
Right now, the system is failing. And that failure is costing people their mental health, their financial stability, and their hope.
It’s not enough to just offer IVF and call it a day.
We need emotional support built into the process.
We need better fertility education that empowers patients.
We need financial solutions so cost isn’t a barrier to treatment.
And most of all, we need to stop treating fertility care like an afterthought. Infertility affects every aspect of a person’s life—their health, their relationships, their mental well-being, their future. It’s time to start treating it that way. Because infertility affects millions, and no one should have to fight this battle alone.
Struggling with fertility? You’re not alone. myStoria is your digital fertility partner, designed to make the journey easier, clearer, and less overwhelming. Get personalized insights, tools, professional support and a community—all in one place. Take control of your fertility journey with confidence.
Medical Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog is intended for general informational purposes only and should not be considered as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your healthcare provider or qualified medical professional with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read in this blog.
