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Infertility Treatment in a Population-Based Sample: 2004–2005

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Abstract

To describe the characteristics of women seeking infertility treatment and the types of fertility treatment sought within a population-based sample. We analyzed data from the cross-sectional Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) of women with a live birth using data from seven states. Logistic regression was used to determine factors associated with infertility treatment utilization. Infertility treatment was reported by 10.5% of women who were trying to become pregnant. The most common treatment reported was fertility enhancing drugs (29%), followed by assisted reproductive technology including in vitro fertilization (21%), and artificial insemination together with fertility enhancing drugs (15%). Some women reported using other types of treatment (23%). The PRAMS data provide insights into the use of infertility treatment among women giving birth in the United States. Further research is needed to understand the true prevalence of infertility, factors that influence treatment choices, and the longitudinal impact of infertility treatment on outcomes.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to acknowledge Denise D’Angelo from the Centers for Disease Control and the PRAMS Working Group for their assistance with this project. The PRAMS Working Group: Alabama—Albert Woolbright, PhD; Alaska—Kathy Perham-Hester, MS, MPH; Arkansas—Gina Redford, MAP; Colorado—Alyson Shupe, PhD; Florida—Helen Marshall; Georgia—Carol Hoban, MS, MPH; Hawaii—Limin Song, MPH, CHES; Illinois—Theresa Sandidge, MA; Louisiana—Joan Wightkin; Maine—Kim Haggan; Maryland—Diana Cheng, MD; Michigan—Yasmina Bouraoui, MPH; Minnesota—Jan Jernell; Mississippi—Linda Pendleton, LMSW; Montana—JoAnn Dotson; Nebraska—Jennifer Severe-Oforah; New Jersey—Lakota Kruse, MD; New Mexico—Ssu Weng, MD, MPH; New York State—Anne Radigan-Garcia; New York City—Candace Mulready, MPH; North Carolina—Paul Buescher, PhD; North Dakota—Sandra Anseth, RN; Ohio—Amy Davis; Oklahoma –Dick Lorenz; Oregon—Ken Rosenberg, MD, MPH; Rhode Island—Sam Viner-Brown; South Carolina—Jim Ferguson, DrPH; Texas—Tanya J. Guthrie, PhD; Utah—Laurie Baksh; Vermont—Peggy Brozicevic; Washington—Linda Lohdefinck; West Virginia—Melissa Baker, MA; CDC PRAMS Team, Applied Sciences Branch, Division of Reproductive Health.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, Division of Public Health, University of Utah, 375 Chipeta Way, Suite A, Salt Lake City, UT, 84108, USA

    Sara E. Simonsen & Joseph B. Stanford

  2. Utah Department of Health, Maternal and Infant Health Program, Salt Lake City, UT, USA

    Laurie Baksh

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  1. Sara E. Simonsen
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  2. Laurie Baksh
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  3. Joseph B. Stanford
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Correspondence to Sara E. Simonsen.

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Simonsen, S.E., Baksh, L. & Stanford, J.B. Infertility Treatment in a Population-Based Sample: 2004–2005. Matern Child Health J 16, 877–886 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10995-011-0809-6

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