Fertility treatments made simple: what works, what to expect

Trying to get pregnant and feeling lost? Fertility treatments cover a few clear options, not a thousand mysterious ones. This page cuts to what matters: tests to start with, main treatment types, rough success ideas, costs, and concrete questions to ask your clinic.

Start with the basics: testing and timing

Before any treatment, both partners should get basic tests. For women that means a blood test for hormones and a scan to check the ovaries and uterus. For men a semen analysis shows sperm count and movement. If you’re under 35 try naturally for 12 months; if 35 or older, see a specialist after 6 months.

Age is the single biggest factor. Egg quality drops as women get older, and that affects which treatments make sense and how successful they’ll be.

Common treatments explained in plain terms

Clomiphene and letrozole are oral medicines that help trigger ovulation. They’re often the first step because they’re cheap and low-risk. If those don’t work, the next step is injectable gonadotropins to stimulate multiple eggs—this can boost chances but raises cost and monitoring needs.

IUI (intrauterine insemination) places washed sperm directly into the uterus around ovulation. It’s simpler and cheaper than IVF and works best when there’s mild male factor or unexplained infertility.

IVF (in vitro fertilization) is removing eggs, fertilizing them in the lab, then transferring embryos. IVF gives the highest control and success per cycle, especially when combined with embryo testing. Per-cycle success varies by age—you’ll commonly hear ranges like 20–40% per cycle depending on age and clinic—but talk to your clinic for numbers that match your situation.

There are other paths too: donor eggs or sperm, ICSI for severe male factor, and fertility preservation (egg or sperm freezing) if you’re delaying parenthood.

Costs range widely by country and clinic. Expect low-cost meds and IUI to be hundreds to a few thousand, while a single IVF cycle often runs into several thousands to tens of thousands. Insurance or public programs can change that—ask early about financing.

Risks to know: multiple pregnancy with stimulation or IVF if multiple embryos are transferred, and ovarian hyperstimulation with strong hormones. Clinics monitor you so these risks fall, but you should know them.

Medication safety matters. If you use online pharmacies, pick licensed sites and keep prescriptions. Avoid unknown vendors. Our site has guides on safe online medicine shopping that can help you find reliable sources and avoid fakes.

Questions to ask a clinic: what are your live-birth rates for my age group, how many embryos do you transfer, what’s the cost breakdown, how many cycles do patients usually need, and what support do you offer (counselling, financial counselling)?

Small lifestyle changes help: quit smoking, reach a healthy BMI, cut excess alcohol, and manage stress. These aren’t miracle fixes, but they improve response to treatment and overall health.

If you want, start by getting basic tests and a clear estimate from one clinic—then compare one or two others. Having numbers and a plan makes decisions easier and less stressful.