Trying to conceive and not sure what to do next? Fertility treatments cover a lot of ground — from simple pills to full IVF cycles. This page gives straight answers so you can pick the next step with more confidence.
Ovulation induction: Drugs like clomiphene (Clomid) or letrozole help trigger ovulation. They’re often the first step when ovulation is irregular. Treatment is oral, monitored with cycle tracking and sometimes an ultrasound.
IUI (intrauterine insemination): Sperm is washed and placed directly into the uterus around ovulation. IUI often pairs with ovulation drugs to raise the chance of success. It’s a low‑to‑moderate cost option and less invasive than IVF.
IVF (in vitro fertilization): Eggs are collected, fertilized in the lab, and embryos transferred back to the uterus. IVF uses injectable hormones to stimulate the ovaries. It’s the most effective option for many causes of infertility, but also the most expensive and complex.
Advanced techniques: Donor eggs/sperm, ICSI (injecting a single sperm into an egg), embryo freezing, and gestational carriers exist when standard paths don’t work.
Costs vary a lot by country and clinic. Typical ranges: IUI often costs a few hundred to a thousand dollars per cycle; IVF usually ranges from about $8,000 to $20,000 per cycle before add‑ons. Medications can add a few hundred to several thousand dollars depending on protocol.
Success depends mainly on age and diagnosis. For IVF, success per cycle drops after age 35 — clinics usually publish age‑based rates; ask for those numbers. IUI success is lower than IVF but cheaper, so many try several IUI cycles first.
Risks to know: multiple pregnancy (twins or more), ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) from strong stimulation, procedure‑related risks, and emotional stress. Side effects from medications include mood swings, bloating, and headaches. Your clinic should explain how they limit risks.
When to see a specialist? If you’ve tried for 12 months without success (or 6 months if you’re over 35), get a fertility evaluation. If you have known issues — absent periods, prior pelvic infections, or known male factor infertility — see a specialist sooner.
What to ask a clinic: What are your live birth rates by age? How many embryos will you transfer? Do you offer single embryo transfer? What are total costs and refund policies? How do you handle complications like OHSS?
Ready to take the next step? Start with a basic fertility evaluation: semen analysis, ovarian reserve testing (AMH), and a review of your cycle history. Use those results to choose between ovulation drugs, IUI, or IVF. If you want more reading, check our guides on IVF meds, success factors, and choosing a clinic for clearer, deeper info.
Explore nine alternatives to Clomid for women seeking fertility treatments. The list includes medications like Letrozole and Metformin, natural options such as Black Cohosh and Inositol, and hormonal therapies like Gonadotropins and HCG. Each alternative is discussed with its potential benefits and drawbacks to help women make informed decisions about their fertility journey.
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