Did you know that adults who serve in the military have a higher risk of fertility challenges or receiving an infertility diagnosis? Last year (2021), the Congressional Research Service published a report about infertility in the military, and the findings were both daunting and inspiring.

While it’s true that active military and veterans have higher infertility rates, affordable fertility treatments are highly successful at making their family-building dreams come true. For example, here at Fertility Solutions, we honor Tricare insurance and offer 20% discounts for all active duty service members and veterans.

Most Successful Fertility Treatments for Military Families

There is a range of reasons active service members and veterans have higher infertility rates. This includes things such as:

• Physical or anatomical wounding
• Exposure to harmful chemicals/toxins that negatively impact sperm or egg quality
• Emotional and psychological trauma affecting sexual drive (libido) or sexual performance
• Side-effects of medications used to manage physical or emotional conditions resulting from combat or sexual trauma (which have higher-than-normal reporting rates in the military)

Once diagnosed, successful fertility treatment options include:

Informed timed intercourse (with or without oral fertility medications)

Suppose emotional side effects negatively impact sex drive to the point that sex is only occasional or nonexistent. In that case, we’ll teach you how to track ovulation, identify your fertile window, and time intercourse for optimal conception. If that doesn’t work, we can discuss prescription medications to support erectile dysfunction or oral fertility meds to boost ovulation.

Intrauterine insemination (IUI)

This process puts sperm extracted from a sperm sample directly into the cervix. We use IUI in sync with a woman’s ovulation rhythm. Depending on the infertility diagnosis, we may recommend using IUI with support from oral fertility medications. If sperm and eggs are high-quality and there aren’t other complications, IUI has high success rates.

In vitro fertilization (IVF)

If the above options aren’t the best fit or are unsuccessful, we recommend in-vitro fertilization (IVF). But, again, the success of this treatment depends on the quality (viability) of both the eggs and the sperm. If your medical history and infertility diagnosis indicate compromised sperm/egg quality, we can discuss donor options with you.

If anatomical injuries make it impossible for a female service member or veteran to carry a baby, we can put you in touch with gestational carriers and guide you through the process. Sperm, egg, and embryo donations – as well as gestational/surrogate carriers – fall under third-party reproduction options.

Find the Right Fertility Center & Start the Conversation

You are not alone. If you’re seeking fertility coverage as an active duty military member or a veteran and suspect infertility is an issue, reach out to learn more about your options. Fertility support begins with a thorough fertility workup and an accurate diagnosis. From there, we’ll work with you to create a personalized fertility plan. Contact Fertility Solutions to take action.