Fruitful Journeys

Be aware of risks when seeking reproductive treatments abroad.

- DEBRA BOKUR

For the millions of people who struggle to conceive, the medical travel niche of reproductive tourism remains a top reason to head abroad. According to a study published by The American Journal of Medicine, fertility treatments rank as one of the top eight reasons travelers seek medical treatment outside of the United States, accounting for roughly 1 million-plus Americans who cross borders in search of reproduction therapies.

The inability to conceive is a surprisingly common condition that affects an estimated 8 to 12 percent of people who actively attempt to become pregnant. That’s where assisted reproductive technologies, including artificial insemination and in vitro fertilization, can be useful options. The price for treatment abroad, including travel expenses, is often a fraction of what the same treatments cost within the United States.