US Infertility Rates Hit Record Low

The US Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that American fertility rates have dropped to an all-time low, but a new FDA approved at-home infertility treatment option called The Conception Kit could help address the issue.

The amount of babies born per 1000 women aged 15- to 44-years-old are at the lowest levels since 1909. According to the CDC, the fertility rate decreased from 60 births per 1000 women in the first quarter of 2015 to 59.8 per 1000 in the first quarter of 2016.

Since 2007, the general fertility rate in the United States has fallen more than 10%.

“The CDC’s finding aren’t that surprising,” said Michael La Vean, president and founder of Conceives, developer of The Conception Kit. “While there are more than 20 million women who are affected by infertility today, we also know that male sperm counts have declined 58% since 1938. Clearly, millions of couples need some extra help to start their families — ideally assistance that is affordable, private, and doesn’t require extensive hormone and other invasive treatments.”

The fall in fertility rates were driven by a number of factors, including the effect of more than a dozen over-the-counter medications. For men, there is a wide range of these medications that can dramatically decrease fertility, including common antacids, certain anti-inflammatory drugs, certain antipsychotics, anticonvulsants, methadone, chemotherapy, immunosuppressants, high blood pressure medications, anabolic steroids and corticosteroids, and diuretics.

Although there are infertility treatment options available for individuals, these drugs have high price tags. According to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, a single cycle of in vitro fertilization (IVF) can cost an average of $12,500, and is not always covered by insurance.

Furthermore, there are still risks associated with IVF treatment, which includes premature births and multiple births. The Conception Kit is an FDA-approved, hormone-free infertility drug available nationally for a $30 to $75 copay at more than 65,000 pharmacies across the United States.

During the trials, 24% of participants who failed in other conception methods, such as IVF and intrauterine insemination (IUI), became pregnant during the first 30 days of treatment.

“The Conception Kit is an important step toward answering a wide range of infertility questions for American couples,” La Vean said. “I encourage people who may be struggling to conceive to look into all possible options and discuss the best route to fulfill your family goals with your doctor.”