DENVER, CO — A recent study conducted by US Fertility’s research team sheds new light on the factors that influence treatment discontinuation among women using donor sperm in their fertility journey. As donor sperm use has steadily increased over the last two decades —particularly among same-sex female couples and single women — understanding the barriers these patients face has become crucial to improve outcomes for those seeking to grow their families.
“Our findings show that certain groups, particularly Black and Hispanic patients, are more likely to face delays in returning for additional treatment,” shares Jerrine Morris, M.D., M.P.H., a fertility specialist at Shady Grove Fertility’s Baltimore location. “By understanding these disparities, we can work toward creating more inclusive, supportive care models that meet the unique needs of all patients. We hope these findings encourage more targeted interventions to reduce the attrition rates we’re seeing, especially in vulnerable populations.”
Presented at the 80th ASRM Scientific Congress & Expo, the retrospective cohort study, which analyzed data from 3,359 donor sperm recipients between 2009 and 2019, identified several key factors that influence whether these patients return for a second fertility treatment cycle after an unsuccessful first attempt. According to the findings, 11% of donor sperm recipients discontinued treatment within one year of their first unsuccessful intrauterine insemination (IUI) cycle.
US Fertility’s research team found that age, income, and parity play significant roles in the likelihood of continuing treatment. Racial disparities emerged as a major concern, with Black and Hispanic patients being significantly more likely to discontinue treatment within one year of their first unsuccessful IUI treatment and taking longer to return for a second cycle than non-Hispanic White patients.
As donor sperm use continues to rise and the definition of infertility broadens, studies like this highlight the importance of targeted interventions to address these barriers, inform patient care, and improve outcomes. The research team calls for further investigation into the unique challenges faced by donor sperm recipients to help refine treatment approaches and ensure that all patients have the support they need to complete their fertility journeys successfully.
Learn more about US Fertility’s Research Division, which conducts and publishes high-quality research studies to advance the field of reproductive medicine to provide better, more effective care to infertility patients.
