Navigating the Costs of Fertility Treatments in Canada: What to Expect and How to Plan

Fertility treatments are a complex and expensive journey for many Canadians. Knowing what costs to expect can help you plan for the future of your family.

One in six Canadian couples experience infertility, according to the Canadian Medical Association Journal. While Canadians might recognize that fertility treatments come at a cost, they may not be prepared for the scale and scope of the financial mountain they’ll be tasked to climb.

“The biggest surprise is not that it’s going to cost some money,” says Dr. Ari Baratz, a medical specialist at the CReATe Fertility Centre, Toronto. “It is the magnitude […] and the fact that it’s not guaranteed.”

Fertility treatments encompass a broad spectrum of methods and costs. Knowing the differences can help you navigate this challenging landscape and plan accordingly.

Intrauterine insemination (IUI) is a procedure that involves placing collected sperm directly into the uterus using a catheter. IUI may be recommended for couples struggling to conceive due to medical conditions like endometriosis or low sperm count. It may also be an option for single women and same-sex female couples using donor sperm to achieve pregnancy.

“In general, we say that IUI maxes out at about a 15% to 18% success rate per IUI cycle,” says Dr. Baratz. He recommends three to four IUI cycles to maximize the chances of a pregnancy.

In vitro fertilization (IVF) is a procedure that involves transferring a lab-fertilized egg to a patient’s uterus. The age of the egg provider plays a significant role in the success rate of IVF. IVF treatment prices increase with genetic testing add-ons and the use of donor eggs or sperm.

Surrogacy is the process through which a woman carries and delivers a baby for someone else. Canadians typically seek a surrogate if they do not have the means to conceive or sustain a pregnancy, either for medical reasons or because they do not have a uterus.

The cost of fertility treatments may be a major unexpected expense, but Canadians aren’t without support. There are multiple ways to offset fertility-related costs, including government funding, employer benefits, fertility grants and charities, lending products, and support from family and friends.

The decision to pursue fertility treatment is multi-faceted. Figuring out where to start is a challenge in and of itself. With strategic planning and support, Canadians can navigate the tricky terrain of fertility treatments and begin growing their family.