Endometriosis is a common condition that can affect fertility. Laparoscopic surgery can successfully treat this condition, and also improve your chance of conceiving with IVF.
IVF after Endometriosis
Mark is 40 and Susan is 37, and they have been trying for 12 months to conceive. Susan has endometriosis and six months ago underwent a laparoscopy to resolve this. Because of Susan’s age, her medical history, and the length of time she has been trying to conceive, her GP has now advised her to see a fertility specialist for advice.
The GP referred Mark and Susan to a fertility specialist at Melbourne IVF who specialises in endometriosis, and he recommends they undergo IVF, as any benefit of the laparoscopic procedure has now passed, so far as conception is concerned. This involves collecting Susan’s eggs and Mark’s sperm, and creating an embryo that will then be placed back into Susan’s uterus in a procedure called embryo transfer.
Fertility Treatment Considerations
Given Mark and Susan’s age, and her history of endometriosis, the specialist explains that with IVF treatment they could expect an 20% to 40% chance of falling pregnant within a three month period using both their fresh and frozen embryos.
He orders an AMH (anti-mullerian hormone test) to determine the appropriate dose of IVF stimulation hormone to administer in their IVF cycle, and performs an ultrasound to check that Susan doesn’t have any ovarian cysts, or endometrial polyps. He also orders a semen analysis for Mark, which comes back as mostly normal.
In their first IVF cycle, seven eggs are collected and four embryos develop. One is transferred, two are frozen and one is found to be unsuitable for freezing. The chosen embryo is placed into Susan’s uterus, in a simple procedure performed by her Fertility Specialist.
Two weeks later, Susan has a blood test at her nearest clinic and the result is positive. Susan returns to her family doctor for advice on antenatal care.
Typical Costs for IVF (for Cycle 1)
This scenario typically costs $2634.00 (out of pocket) for one treatment cycle with private health insurance and $2791.29 (out of pocket) without. The out of pocket costs are based on the assumption that the private health insurance covers egg collection and embryo transfer procedures. Susan and Mark decide to use the ‘no upfront’ option and pay by credit card, so they will be out of pocket for the full treatment cost amount for a shorter period of time. The cost for Susan and Mark includes pre-treatment appointments and tests, the treatment itself, including medicine.
Your costs will vary, depending on your treatment plan, your Medicare safety net and your health insurance fund. If you’d like to find out more, talk with our Public Liaison Coordinator by calling 1800 111 483.
