Virtus Health’s Post

How do you prepare your patients for donor IVF in a way that provides the personalized care they need while setting the right expectations for their future? In this Fertility Bridge podcast, Lisa Schuman, licensed clinical social worker and co-author of Building Your Family: The Complete Guide to Donor Conception, and I discuss: - The criteria intended parents should focus on more when searching for donors (And focus on less) - What’s reasonable for intended parents to expect from their donors - What’s reasonable for donor-conceived children to expect from their donors - The commodification of donor sperm and donor egg - Speculation on how to solve the issue of 3rd Party IVF demand far outstripping the supply of carriers & donors Listen on Spotify: https://lnkd.in/ebWHCHGy Watch on YouTube: https://lnkd.in/eD2i-EAY #drleondires #lgbtqfamily #modernfamily #illumefertility #LGBTQfertilitydoctor #DonorConceptionJourney #DonorConceptionCommunity #becomingaparent #centerforfamilybuilding Illume Fertility

💔 High IVF Costs Deter Greek Women from Fertility Treatments 💔 Infertility is a pressing issue for many couples in Greece, yet the financial burden of In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) poses a significant barrier to accessing essential reproductive services. Recent research reveals that the average cost of an IVF cycle, approximately €6,000, is beyond what many women are willing to invest. On average, respondents indicated they would only contribute about one-third of this amount. Key findings include: - Financial reluctance limits access to IVF treatments. - Lowering costs could increase the number of cycles women are willing to undergo. - Policy adjustments are crucial for making IVF more affordable and accessible. This study highlights an urgent need for policy interventions that could bridge the gap between existing costs and what women can afford. By implementing subsidy programs or adjusting pricing structures, we can create a more inclusive healthcare environment that supports couples on their journey toward parenthood. 👉 Click on the link for more insights! #Greece #HealthEconomics #HealthcarePolicy #IVF #Infertility #Publications #RegulatoryAgencies #ReproductiveHealth #MarketAccess #MarketAccessToday

"Families Pursuing IVF Deserve Better from the Fertility Industry," guest column by Kearsten and Zachary Walden (special to the Virginian-Pilot/Virginia Daily Press): "[w]e face a growing crisis...the alarming pattern of avoidable failures within the fertility industry..." https://lnkd.in/gG2YS9Wb

🔍 IVF Access is Important, But It’s Time to Address the Root Causes of Declining Fertility 🔍 A recent Guardian article by Van Badham raises important points about how Australia’s fertility decline is being framed. While increasing access to IVF is crucial, the conversation often falls into outdated, patriarchal narratives that focus on women’s choices while overlooking broader factors—like male fertility. Male fertility has declined by over 50% in recent decades, yet this isn’t the focus of most discussions. Instead of addressing the underlying causes of fertility challenges, solutions like IVF often treat the symptoms rather than the root problem. At Cool Beans Underwear, we believe the conversation needs to shift. Yes, IVF is vital, but optimising sperm health can significantly improve birth rates naturally and non-invasively. Our revolutionary testicular cooling device is the world’s first medical device designed to naturally improve sperm health. By enhancing sperm quality, we’re helping to: - Increase conception rates - Reduce miscarriage risks - Optimise the health of future generations Improving preconception health, especially male fertility, means we can reduce reliance on invasive interventions like IVF. At Cool Beans, we’re tackling the root cause of fertility issues, ensuring healthier families and a brighter future for all. It’s time to broaden the fertility conversation—addressing male fertility is essential to solving the bigger issue. https://lnkd.in/ge9k29Zi Van Badham The Guardian #FertilitySolutions #MaleFertility #IVFAlternatives #HealthInnovation #CoolBeansUnderwear #IVFSupport #TryingToConceive #Infertility #Fertility #SpermHealth #FutureGenerations #HealthChildren #PreventativeHealth

My husband and I are done having kids now, however years ago we felt the heartbreak of not one but two fertility specialists telling us we likely wouldn't be able to have any more children without IVF. We were devastated. We weren't sure we wanted to spend thousands of dollars out of pocket to maybe have a baby. Luckily someone had other plans and 9 years later we found out we were pregnant with our miracle baby (now 3 years old). However, if we would have had IVF benefits at the time, our children likely wouldn't have a 14-year gap between them. Although I don't plan to use it, I am proud to work at an organization offering these benefits! Did you know a single round of IVF can cost around $20,000? A recent KFF report reveals that only about 25% of U.S. companies with 200+ employees offer coverage for this procedure. 💡 #IVF #Healthcare #EmployeeBenefits #ReproductiveHealth #TeamHQY

Exploring IVF Options for Women Over 50: Understanding Country Variances Embarking on the journey of fertility treatment at 50 or above comes with its unique set of challenges and considerations. If you're a woman seeking IVF treatment at this stage in life, it's essential to understand that countries have varying regulations and limitations regarding age eligibility. Here's a snapshot of some countries and their policies on IVF treatment for patients over 50: 🇪🇸 Spain: While there's an agreed-upon limit of 50 years old, select clinics may support patients up to 52 years old. 🇬🇷 Greece: The age limit is typically set at 54 years old. 🇨🇾 North Cyprus: Patients over the age of 55 may undergo treatment, but approval from the ethics committee is required. For those over 45, Ministry of Health approval is necessary. 🇺🇦 Ukraine: There's generally no specified age limit by legislation, with clinics making individual decisions. Most clinics set the limit at 52-55 years old. 🇱🇻 Latvia: Similar to Ukraine, there's no specified age limit, and decisions are made by each clinic. 🇷🇺 Russia: The age limit is set at 51 years old, but some clinics may treat older patients at their discretion, with a few offering treatment up to 55 years old. 🇵🇱 Poland: Like Latvia and Ukraine, there's no legislative age limit, and clinics make decisions individually, with many opting not to treat women over 52 years old. At Fertility Travel, we understand the importance of finding the right destination country and clinic partner to meet your unique needs, regardless of age. Our team is here to guide you through the process and connect you with reputable clinics worldwide. Don't let age be a barrier to your dreams of parenthood. Reach out to Fertility Travel today and take the first step towards building the family you've always wanted. #IVF #FertilityTreatment #WomenOver50 #Parenthood #FamilyPlanning #MedicalTourism #GlobalHealthcare #Empowerment

A new survey conducted by Talker Research (formerly OnePoll U.S.) on behalf of Prelude Fertility revealed that only 6% of women feel confident about fertility-related topics such as IVF. This research reveals a gap in fertility education for American women including the basics of reproductive health, a lack of conversation between women and their healthcare providers about their fertility, and misunderstandings around advanced maternal age. Read more about the data in the New York Post. #fertility #womenshealthmonth

We're thrilled to share that Reproductive Medicine Associates' groundbreaking research has been highlighted in a recent article by Allure. Titled "30 Women Share Unspoken Realities of IVF," this piece dives into the personal journeys of individuals navigating the complexities of fertility treatments. At RMA, we're dedicated to advancing the field of reproductive health, providing compassionate care and innovative solutions to our patients every step of the way. We're honored to be recognized for our contributions to this important conversation. Check out the article here to learn more about the inspiring stories and the latest insights in IVF. #IVF #ReproductiveHealth #Research #RMA #FertilityJourney #ttc #infertility

This past October, the reproductive health community has been buzzing with the Ontario government’s announcement of a proposed $150 million investment over two years, beginning in the 2025–26 fiscal year, to expand the Ontario Fertility Program (OFP). This funding aims to nearly triple the number of Ontarians eligible for government-funded IVF cycles, increase clinic capacity, and reduce waitlists in hospitals and community settings. I held off sharing my thoughts until we had more concrete information, and I’ve recently learned that the final decision on this funding will come with Ontario’s 2025 provincial budget, typically released in March or April. So, we can expect a clear confirmation of this funding within that timeframe. Regardless, I’m filled with optimism and believe this announcement represents a promising step forward. The “Your Health” plan showcases the power of advocacy, as so many have come together to support the dream of family-building for all Ontarians. The ability to have a family is a fundamental human right, and this increase in funding stands to make a profound impact on those currently waiting to access fertility care. The journey to parenthood can be challenging, and the financial burden of treatments is a significant part of that. By tripling the funds available for fertility treatments and introducing a 25% tax credit, this initiative offers the potential for greater, more affordable access to fertility care. Here’s a look at some key stats on Ontario Fertility Funding: Since the launch of the Ontario Fertility Program (OFP), over 107,000 Ontarians have received support to help them build their families: - 42,741 patients have received publicly funded IVF services - 59,448 patients have received publicly funded IUI services - 4,857 patients have received publicly funded fertility preservation service As we head into 2025, I’m welcoming the new year with positivity and eagerly anticipating an official announcement of increased fertility funding for Ontarians. Ontario Newsroom: Ontario Helping More People Start and Grow Their Families – https://lnkd.in/gYhXtjZV Ontario Fertility: Funding Explained - https://lnkd.in/gbDi5T_a #ontariofertilityfunding #ontariofunding #ontario #canada #fertilityservices #iui #iuijourney #ivf #ivfjourney #fundedivf #reproductivehealth #womenshealth #menshealth #ontariofertilityprogram #fertility #drtanyawilliams

The shaky reality of IVF – from a painful postcode lottery dictating your ability to have treatment on the NHS to the challenges of going through treatment while working – is something that you’ll be deeply familiar with, if you’ve ever taken that path. New data, though, has revealed another injustice at play, when it comes to the fertility intervention. There exist significant differences in the use and outcomes of fertility treatment over different ethnic groups. Though the average IVF birth rate per embryo transferred has increased across all groups, in 2020-21, Black patients between the ages of 18 and 37 had the lowest birth rates following the procedure, with Black patients aged 30-34 having an average birth rate of 23%, compared to 30% for mixed and white patients. Learn more via the link in bio! #fertility #inequalities #womenshealth https://lnkd.in/essUgrbE