IVF treatment in Canada

IVF helps overcome the trouble with getting pregnant naturally. Common reasons people in Canada seek IVF include:

• Low sperm count or poor sperm quality

• Blocked or damaged tubes

• Age-related fertility decline especially in women over 35

• Conditions like endometriosis or PCOS

• Single couples or LGBTQ+ couples looking for donors

The following also find relief with IVF treatment:

• Female infertility due to poor egg quality or ovulation problems

• Male infertility due to poor sperm movement (motility)

• Genetic risks

• Same-sex couples and single parents using donors

Types of IVF in Canada

1. Conventional IVF is the most common type and involves mixing retrieved eggs and sperm in a lab for fertilization.

2. ICSI or intracytoplasmic sperm injection. This is often used when male factor infertility issue exists.

3. IVF with donor eggs or sperm is best for couples who cannot use their own eggs or sperm.

4. Natural cycle IVF avoids the use of medications for ovary stimulation. It relies on the natural ovulation cycle.

5. Mini-IVF is a less-aggressive approach that uses fewer medications for ovarian stimulation. Sometimes it is preferred for certain age groups.

6. Assisted hatching includes making a small opening in the outer layer of the embryo to aid implantation.

7. Egg or sperm freezing preserves the respective cells for future use.

IVF in Canada - Requirements & Steps

Requirements

• Medical tests ultrasound, blood tests, sperm analysis, uterine exams, hormone tests

• Ovarian reserve testing with FSH, AMH and ultrasound to check egg count.

• Healthy weight with BMI checks

• No serious health issues must be present, infections should be treated first

• Legal consent necessary - this differs by province, but have it with you in case

How does IVF work?

• The first step is injecting fertility drugs that help the eggs to grow. This is the case in unnatural or stimulated IVF. The recipient gets daily hormone injections for 8-14 days.

• Egg retrieval is a quick procedure that is performed under light sedation.

• Sperm sample is collected from the partner or a donor.

• Lab fertilization with sperm and eggs combined in the laboratory.

• Embryo growth - the fertilized egg is incubated for 3-5 days to allow it to grow.

• Embryo transfer after its growth for some days. It is placed in the uterus using a thin tube.

• Pregnancy test after two weeks of transfer to confirm pregnancy.

The average per cycle IVF treatment cost in Canada can be 10,000-15,000 CAD and it can go higher including medications, extra tests and frozen transfers. Including everything, the average cost can be around 16,000-28,000 CAD.

British Columbia offers income-based funding for people seeking IVF, while states like Manitoba provide tax credits to hopeful parents.

One of the prominent challenges for people in Canada seeking IVF is the geographic disparity, uneven coverage and hidden costs.