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Updated: Aug 9, 2026

Fertility Preservation Through Oocyte Vitrification: Clinical and Laboratory Perspectives
Published on: September 16, 2021
Cost-effective treatment of the infertile couple
B J Van Voorhis1, D W Stovall, B D Allen
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City 52245, USA. brad-van-voorhis@uiowa.edu
Objective:
To review the published literature on the cost-effective approach to infertility treatment.
Design:
The literature on the economics and cost-effectiveness of infertility treatments was reviewed. Studies related to this topic were identified through MEDLINE.
Result(S):
Few cost-effectiveness studies about infertility treatment have been published. In the absence of tubal blockage and severe male factor, use of IUI and hMG-IUI is more cost-effective than IVF. In vitro fertilization is at least as cost-effective as tubal surgery. Although IVF costs are high, they fall well within the range of other accepted medical treatments and are below the general public's willingness to pay for these treatments.
Conclusion(S):
Cost-effectiveness analysis is an important means of improving quality of care while controlling costs. Further work regarding cost-effectiveness of treatments among different diagnostic groups is needed.
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