Why Family Planning Is Constantly Evolving
Family planning is no longer limited to heterosexual couples and nuclear families. Issues like infertility and contraception moved from taboo subjects to widely debated and embraced. There are now multiple means for long-term birth control or increasing the chances of pregnancy. The concept of family planning has also become more inclusive. Singles and the LGBTQ+ community now have access to reproductive treatment. These strategies unlocked a new kind of diverse family. Assisted reproductive technology (ART) has changed the conversation on infertility, allowing hope for potential parents. For many of the situations and circumstances faced today, ART will be at the center of the future of family planning.
A big assist with ART
Assisted reproductive technology is a series of techniques that combine medicine and science to increase the chances of pregnancy. The procedures handle sperm, eggs, or embryos outside the body to attempt fertilization. Intrauterine insemination (IUI) and in vitro fertilization (IVF) are typical forms of ART. People who use IUI and IVF struggle to conceive naturally. Doctors perform IUI by inserting a prepared sperm sample directly into the uterus to improve fertility chances. IVF is more complex, combining sperm and eggs in a laboratory to create embryos. Eggs are surgically extracted from a woman's ovaries after taking hormone medication to increase follicle production. One or more embryos are then implanted in the potential parent's uterus. Every year, fertility clinics perform several IUI and IVF cycles, resulting in thousands of live births.
How ART addresses family planning today
Infertility challenges impact men and women at equal rates. If initial lifestyle changes or hormone medication fails, ART can help. IVF cycles, for instance, have a 50% success rate in women under 35. ART is also critical for the diversity involved in family planning today. Older couples are choosing to have children and may need ART to increase the chances of pregnancy. Single women are using IVF to have children as many delay family planning to pursue other goals. Same-sex couples also rely on IVF to create embryos for pregnancy. Some require donor sperm, while others, like same-sex male couples, use IVF with gestational surrogacy. ART is the go-to strategy for couples who struggle to conceive or for the unique circumstances around family planning that people now face.
Ethical and societal considerations
ART has helped solve many challenges individuals or couples face when hoping to start or grow families. Statistics show that ART accounts for 2.5% of births yearly. These figures will only increase as fertility clinics see ART as the future of family planning. Yet some obstacles will prevent ART from being at the forefront of fertility. Many argue about the potential for genetic selection and modification. ART also challenges many groups who still believe in traditional conception methods and the nuclear family. As ART has led to more inclusivity, there is still resistance in conservative spaces. Furthermore, there are concerns with future parents and children about cultural norms, identity, and biological heritage.
Accessibility, cost, and a silver lining
ART, while effective, can be costly. Medical procedures, hormone medication, and managing and storing embryos can be expensive over time. Some individuals may need multiple IVF cycles or additional services like genetic testing. Insurance and financial aid are options, but there are still states where ART is not covered. Accessibility is also a challenge, which can limit fertility treatment to specific groups in society. Despite the ethical, social, and financial hurdles, there is a bright future. As technology and skills evolve, more clinics in underserved areas are forming with reduced costs. Interest groups provide free or subsidized resources for infertility and ART treatment. Fertility clinics also recognize that ART is essential to the future of family planning. The average clinic has affordable financing and payment plans, increasing accessibility.
ART can pave the way for future families
Family planning is not only about contraception but also about addressing infertility and the issues diverse individuals face in getting pregnant. ART helps to address the medical and reproductive barriers through techniques like IVF. Fertility challenges will only continue to rise. ART will become a more widely accepted form of achieving pregnancy. Over time, ART will be even more cost-effective, accessible, and efficient. Anyone struggling to conceive or need support starting a family should consult a fertility specialist. Through testing and analysis of the patient's unique circumstances, a custom solution using ART can lead to a healthy pregnancy.