[April 14, 2014]

Gloria Richard-Davis, M.D., UAMS Infertility and Reproductive Endocrinology Specialist and Author of Planning Parenthood, Offers Advice and Alternative to Expensive Fertility Treatments

For the approximately 11 million American couples trying to conceive (TTC), Infertility Awareness Week, April 20-26, offers a time to evaluate the struggles TTC couples endure and highlights the harsh reality that solutions like in vitro fertilization (IVF), intrauterine insemination or ovulation induction medication are extremely expensive. A study in the Journal of Urology shows that the median out-of-pocket cost is $5,338 and expenses can be as high as $19,000-plus for IVF.

Before investing thousands of dollars in expensive fertility treatments, many fertility experts recommend that TTC couples first try using Pre-Seed Fertility-Friendly lubricant. Pre-Seed was developed by a woman doctor and is clinically shown to be safe for use when trying to get pregnant. Research studies show that most leading lubricants can damage sperm because they have the wrong pH and are not "isotonic," meaning they have high salt or ion levels that dehydrate sperm and stop them from swimming. But clinical studies by fertility experts at leading research institutions confirm that the special formulation in Pre-Seed makes it safe and effective when trying to get pregnant.

Each package of Pre-Seed contains a tube of the patented, fertility friendly lubricant and individual applicators to deposit the unique lubricant close to the cervix to best mimic a woman's own natural fluids, creating an optimal environment for sperm. Many TTC couples will find that Pre-Seed is relatively inexpensive and readily accessible. Pre-Seed is widely available at national mass retailers, drug stores, and online retailers for less than $25 per package.

"Before jumping into costly fertility treatments, it's important for TTC couples to talk to their doctors or medical providers to understand their options and realize that not every alternative needs to break the bank," says Gloria Richard-Davis, MD, FACOG OB/GYN at The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences specializing in infertility and reproductive endocrinology and the author of Planning Parenthood. "There are a variety of free and inexpensive tools to help women better understand their personal fertility health to better maximize their fertility windows and positively aid in conception."

For example, First Response has recently introduced their first-ever global app called the First Response Tracker. This free app offers four essential tools to help women track their reproductive health, including a personalized Period Tracker, Ovulation Tracker, "How Far along Am I?" Pregnancy Tracker and Due Date Calculator. The First Response Tracker eliminates guesswork by predicting a woman's next period, calculating her most fertile days of the month, estimating how far along she is once she is pregnant and predicting her due date. The app is available for download at www.KnowSooner.com.

"For couples ready to conceive, it's important to remember that early intervention can result in a higher success rate," says Davis. "Exploring cost-effective alternatives is a great idea for some TTC couples. However, if couples haven't conceived in 6-12 months they need to see a fertility specialist, and if the woman is 35+ they shouldn't wait beyond 6 months before consulting a doctor."

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]