Infertility Treatment: A Journey with an Unclear End, and the Burden on Mind and Wallet

For couples wishing to have children, infertility treatment is an important option that can lead to new life.

However, the journey is different for everyone, and there are many moments of anxiety regarding treatment duration, costs, and mental strain.

So, what kind of worries did those who have actually experienced infertility treatment face, and for how long and at what cost did they pursue it?

To find out, we collaborated with Aoyama La Joux Clinic to conduct a survey on "infertility treatment" targeting 50 men and women nationwide who responded in a preliminary survey that "they or their partner have experience with infertility treatment."

*When quoting from this press release, please adhere to the following:

- State that the source is "A survey by NEXER Inc. and Aoyama La Joux Clinic."

- Include a link to Aoyama La Joux Clinic (https://nipt-info.com/)

"Infertility Treatment Survey" Overview

Survey Method: Internet-based questionnaire

Survey Period: June 23, 2026 - June 29, 2026

Target Respondents: Men and women nationwide who responded in a preliminary survey that "they or their partner have experience with infertility treatment."

Valid Responses: 50 samples

Questions:

Question 1: For how long did you undergo (or are you undergoing) infertility treatment?

Question 2: How much did the infertility treatment cost (total out-of-pocket expenses)?

Question 3: Please tell us what you did to manage the costs of infertility treatment.

Question 4: What do you feel is (or was) the biggest burden in continuing infertility treatment?

Question 5: Please explain the reason for that.

Question 6: What did you wish you had known more about, or felt was lacking in information, "before starting (or in the early stages)" of infertility treatment? (Multiple answers possible)

Question 7: Please tell us specifically what you wished you had known more about, or felt was lacking in information, "before starting (or in the early stages)" of infertility treatment.

*In principle, values are rounded to the second decimal place, so the total may not be 100%.

60.0% Responded That Infertility Treatment Duration Was "Over 1 Year"

First, we asked those who responded that they or their partner had experience with infertility treatment about the duration of their treatment.

The results showed that "1 to less than 2 years" was 24.0%, "5 years or more" was 20.0%, "2 to less than 3 years" was 12.0%, and "3 to less than 5 years" was 4.0%.

Combined, 60.0% continued treatment for "over 1 year."

On the other hand, "less than 6 months" was 16.0%, and "6 months to less than 1 year" was 24.0%.

While some people concluded their treatment in a short period, 60% of the total continued treatment for over a year.

This suggests that the duration of infertility treatment varies greatly among individuals and often extends for long periods.

Since treatment duration differs for each person, it is important to approach it at your own pace, considering the time and mental burden when starting treatment.

50.0% Responded That Infertility Treatment Costs Were "Under ¥500,000"

Next, we asked those who responded that they or their partner had experience with infertility treatment about the costs incurred (total out-of-pocket expenses).

The most common response was "under ¥500,000" at 50.0%.

This was followed by "¥1,000,000 to less than ¥2,000,000" at 22.0%, and "¥500,000 to less than ¥1,000,000" at 12.0%.

On the other hand, "¥2,000,000 to less than ¥3,000,000" was 6.0%, "¥3,000,000 to less than ¥5,000,000" was 4.0%, and "¥5,000,000 or more" was 6.0%. Although a minority, some individuals experienced burdens on the scale of millions of yen.

While half of the respondents spent "under ¥500,000," a certain number also experienced burdens amounting to millions of yen.

This shows that the cost of infertility treatment varies widely depending on the treatment content and duration.

It is important to grasp an estimate of the costs in advance.

What Did You Do to Manage the Costs of Infertility Treatment?

Next, we asked those who responded that they or their partner had experience with infertility treatment what they did to manage the costs.

Please tell us what you did to manage the costs of infertility treatment.

- I researched and utilized subsidies. (30s, Female)

- I had no choice but to dip into my savings. (30s, Female)

- I ate nutritious food and took supplements to aid conception. (40s, Female)

- I cut back on my lifestyle expenses as much as possible. (50s, Male)

- I used my daily savings. (70s, Male)

Regarding methods for managing costs, responses included "I used my daily savings" and "I had no choice but to dip into my savings."

There were also comments about "cutting back on lifestyle expenses," indicating that some people adjusted their daily spending.

This reveals a situation where individuals managed infertility treatment while adjusting their overall household finances to secure treatment funds.

36.0% Responded That the Biggest Burden Was "Mental Strain"

Next, we asked those who responded that they or their partner had experience with infertility treatment what they felt was the biggest burden in continuing treatment.

The most common response was "mental strain (anxiety and impatience due to lack of results)" at 36.0%.

This was followed by "physical strain (frequent hospital visits, pain from injections and egg retrieval, side effects, etc.)" at 28.0%, and "economic strain (high costs)" at 18.0%.

We also asked for the reasons for each, and here are some examples:

Respondents who chose "mental strain (anxiety and impatience due to lack of results)"

- I was quite anxious because the period for conception is limited. (40s, Female)

- I visited the hospital for several years without getting results. (60s, Male)

Respondents who chose "physical strain (frequent hospital visits, pain from injections and egg retrieval, side effects, etc.)"

- I sometimes have to go to the hospital suddenly, so it's difficult to coordinate with work. (30s, Female)

- Hospital visits were a burden. (60s, Male)

Respondents who chose "economic strain (high costs)"

- It costs money. (30s, Female)

- I can only say it's expensive. (30s, Female)

While all types of burdens—mental, physical, and economic—were cited, "mental strain (anxiety and impatience due to lack of results)" was the most frequent at 36.0%.

Reasons included comments like "I was quite anxious because the period for conception is limited" and "I visited the hospital for several years without getting results," indicating that anxiety and impatience in the face of uncertain outcomes contribute to the burden.

Additionally, for "physical strain," comments such as "I sometimes have to go to the hospital suddenly, so it's difficult to coordinate with work" and "Hospital visits were a burden" were made. For "economic strain," comments like "It costs money" and "I can only say it's expensive" were also heard.

It appears that infertility treatment is continued while multiple factors, including mental, physical, and economic burdens, overlap.

42.0% Wished They Had Known More About "Estimated Costs and Scope of Insurance Coverage/Subsidies"

Finally, we asked those who responded that they or their partner had experience with infertility treatment what they wished they had known more about, or felt was lacking in information, "before starting (or in the early stages)" of treatment.

The most common response was "estimated actual costs and the scope of insurance coverage and subsidies" at 42.0%.

This was followed by "specific details and procedures for each treatment step (from timing method to in vitro fertilization, etc.)" and "how to choose a reliable clinic (hospital) that suits you" at 32.0%.

We also asked for specific points they wished they had known more about or felt lacked information, and here are some examples:

Please tell us specifically what you wished you had known more about, or felt was lacking in information, "before starting (or in the early stages)" of infertility treatment.

- All information was insufficient. I had no knowledge. (30s, Female)

- How much budget would be needed. (30s, Female)

- The difficulty of the timing method. (30s, Female)

- How difficult it would be to balance with work. (40s, Female)

- How long infertility treatment would continue, and other long-term prospects. (40s, Female)

Approximately 40% of respondents wanted to know information related to treatment costs, such as cost estimates and the scope of insurance coverage. Furthermore, there was significant interest in practical information for starting infertility treatment, such as treatment procedures and criteria for selecting a clinic.

In the free-response section, many comments touched upon "basic information to know before starting," such as costs and treatment flow.

To consider infertility treatment with confidence, an environment where necessary information can be accessed early on is crucial.

Summary

This survey revealed that 60.0% of respondents underwent (or are undergoing) infertility treatment for "over 1 year."

Regarding costs, while "under ¥500,000" was the most common response at 50%, some individuals experienced burdens of millions of yen, indicating a wide range of costs alongside the long treatment durations.

Furthermore, the most frequently cited burden in infertility treatment was "mental strain."

In addition to the financial and physical impacts, the continuous struggle with anxiety due to uncertain outcomes appears to be a significant burden.

Moreover, "estimated costs and the scope of subsidies" were frequently mentioned as information people wished they had known before starting treatment, with many feeling a lack of prior information.

To positively consider infertility treatment, it is important to access accurate information early on and prepare with a clear outlook.

In addition, quickly connecting with necessary information and support resources can be a crucial aid in facing treatment with peace of mind.

*For use in articles, etc.:*

- State that the source is "A survey by NEXER Inc. and Aoyama La Joux Clinic."

- Include a link to Aoyama La Joux Clinic (https://nipt-info.com/)

*About Aoyama La Joux Clinic:*

Location: Matrice 2F, 2-13-7 Minami-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-0062

Tel: 0120-710-170

URL: https://nipt-info.com/

*About NEXER Inc.:*

Headquarters: Rise Arena Bldg. 11F, 4-5-2 Higashi-Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo 170-0013

Representative Director: Yuya Miyata

URL: https://www.nexer.co.jp

Business Activities: SEO, Web Branding, Web Advertising, Website Production, Media

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  • Source: PR TIMES
  • Category: Survey結果