Is Infertility on the Rise?

Key Points:

• Infertility continues to become a common challenge couples face when trying to start or add to their family.
• There are a variety of factors that can lead to infertility for men and women.
• Infertility doesn’t have to end your dreams of parenthood. Surrogacy and working with the best agencies in the U.S. mean you can still achieve your family goals.

If you’re struggling with infertility, you’ve likely done a lot of research on the topic. You’ve likely discovered that this issue is a lot more common than you may have originally thought. If you’re wondering, “Is fertility on the rise?” the answer is yes.

According to a 2021 article in Scientific American, worldwide fertility rates are down by 1%. So, if your family is facing infertility, we want you to know you are not alone. There are quite a few medical providers and fertility professionals dedicated to helping people like you grow your family.

Our trusted and experienced specialists are here to help!

Speak with a specialist today!

Continue reading to find out about infertility rates and statistics.

Disclaimer: You should always speak to a medical professional to determine if you think you’re experiencing infertility. This article is only intended for educational purposes and should not be taken as medical advice.

Is Infertility on the Rise in the U.S.?

Before we discuss infertility rates, we want to acknowledge that an infertility diagnosis is hard to receive. Women and men who get this common diagnosis can feel frustrated and ashamed. We want to tell you that infertility isn’t your fault. Don’t blame yourself. Consider reaching out to an infertility support group for some comfort.

Fertility Rates by Group in the U.S.

Similar to how infertility rates have increased worldwide, infertility rates in the U.S. have increased, too. According to a 2019 Vital Statistics Rapid Release study, birth rates from 2017 to 2018 in the U.S. decreased by 2%. 

The following are a few other fertility statistics that show how prevalent infertility is:

• The infertility rate is about the same for men and women throughout the country – about 10% of men and women experience infertility of some kind.
• Almost half of the couples who experience difficulty conceiving don’t “consider their condition to be infertility.”
• About 30% of infertility cases are attributed to the male in a partnership, an equal amount (30%) is attributed to the female, and 30% is because of both partners. About 10% of cases are because of an unknown cause.
• Fertility begins to decrease for most women in their 20s and 30s. It declines more rapidly after the age of 35.
• Couples with a male partner who is 40 or older are more likely to have trouble conceiving.
• Sperm quality declines in men after the age of 60.
• In 2018, White Americans and Asian Americans experienced the lowest fertility rates. Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Women had the highest rates of fertility. Close behind these groups were Hispanic Americans and Black Americans.

Why is Infertility on the Rise?

Many causes and risk factors can cause infertility. The following breaks down why infertility rates are increasing and how females and males experience infertility differently.

Infertility in Females

Infertility in women can be caused by one or many reasons. A few common infertility causes are:

• Fibroids, polyps, septum, or adhesions in the uterus
• Pelvic inflammatory disease, which affects the fallopian tubes
• Issues that impact ovulation
• Egg number and health

A woman also can have additional risk factors that can impact her chances of conceiving. These factors include:

• A woman’s age
• An abnormal menstrual cycle
• Cysts
• A woman’s weight (under or overweight)
• And more

Infertility in Males

Infertility in men also can be caused by one or many reasons. The following are just a few common infertility causes men can experience:

• A diagnosis that involves the sperm and sperm production
• Genetic disorders
• Some medical conditions
• Varicoceles
• And more

There are risk factors that can increase a man’s chances of developing infertility, too:

• Alcohol use
• Smoking (cigarettes and marijuana)
• Cancer treatments
• Some medications and supplements
• And more

Why Surrogacy is a Popular Family-Building Method

Moving from infertility to surrogacy can be a difficult choice for many couples. You and your partner are the only people who will know when or if the time is right for you.

Don’t rush yourself into making a decision, and know that whenever you do decide to pursue other family-building options, fertility professionals – like those at surrogacy agencies – will be there to help you. These professionals are here to remind you that your grief is real and this is not your fault.

Surrogacy Basics

If you decide to pursue surrogacy, the following surrogacy facts can help you on your surrogacy journey.

Surrogacy Roles

In surrogacy, you (the intended parents) will match with a surrogate mom who will carry your child. The surrogate isn’t related to your baby (known as gestational surrogacy) and gets compensation through a surrogacy agency to carry your baby to term.

Surrogacy Compensation

Generally, you can expect to pay anywhere from $60,000 to $150,000 for your surrogacy journey. These fees will pay for a surrogate’s:

• Surrogacy
• Medical care
• Legal fees
• Pregnancy costs
• Base pay compensation

No surrogate ever has to pay to provide her surrogacy services.

Surrogacy Steps

The following are the common surrogacy steps every surrogate parent will go through on their surrogacy journey.

• Step 1: Decide surrogacy is the right choice for you and find a surrogacy agency to work with.
• Step 2: Match with a surrogate, meet (talk on the phone), and sign a surrogacy contract.
• Step 3: Undergo the medical surrogacy process (personally or by picking a donor/s).
• Step 4: Enjoy pre-delivery visits with the surrogate and watch your baby grow.
• Step 5: Be there for your child’s birth, take your baby home, and start your parenthood journey.

Next Steps Toward Building Your Family

Although the answer to the question “is infertility on the rise” is yes, try not to feel discouraged.

You aren’t alone in your desire to have children; many people – including doctors, fertility, and family-building professionals – want to help you on your journey.

Contact us today if you’re ready to start discussing your family-building options.