Law Makes Fertility Treatment Options Available to Wounded Veterans
Veterans' advocacy groups estimate that military service has left some 2,000 former service members unable to have children naturally. And while these vets are likely candidates for fertility treatment options like IVF, the cost may dissuade them from pursuing infertility treatment. That has changed now, thanks to a law passed by Congress last October. Veterans can pursue fertility treatment using their veterans' medical benefits. "We all say when someone serves their country, we are there for them when they come home," said Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., who has fought the ban since 2012. "Certainly allowing them to fulfill their dream of having a family ought to be part of what's there for them when they return." Murray was referring to a 1992 Congressional ban on the Department of Veterans Affairs paying for fertility treatment for veterans. Before the ban was lifted last year, active duty service members were eligible for fertility treatments, but those who have left service were not. Now, wounded veterans whose service-related injuries rendered them infertile can be awarded up to $20,000 for fertility treatment or adoption.
What Fertility Treatment Options are Available to Vets?
While traditional IVF is a commonly used fertility treatment, veterans have many options from which to choose, including:
- Minimal stimulation IVF which produces fewer, but often higher quality eggs available for implantation. The procedure uses less medication to stimulate a woman’s eggs and puts less stress on a woman’s body. There’s also no risk of multiple pregnancies.
- Natural cycle IVF does not require medication at all. Rather, the treatment relies on a woman’s body’s own natural cycle for egg retrieval. It also results in much less stress on the body and no risk of multiple babies.
- Intrauterine Insemination is available when male factor infertility prevents fertilization from occurring naturally. The male’s sperm is retrieved and injected into the woman’s uterus around the time of ovulation. This treatment is often used as a precursor to IVF options.
To learn more about the highly effective fertility treatment options available at our clinic, please schedule a consultation today by calling 516-612-8466.
