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In recognition of National IVF Day, The Harris Poll conducted a study aimed at uncovering American adults’ knowledge and experience with fertility and fertility services, including in vitro fertilization or IVF. The findings of this research reveal a widespread lack of awareness, persistent stigma, and a critical need for earlier education, richer emotional support, and more open conversations around fertility and reproductive health.
The Conception Blind Spot in the Age of Information
Despite living in an age of endless information, many Americans still lack a clear understanding of their own health – especially when it comes to fertility. More than three-quarters of American adults (76%), including 73% of women, do not know that after starting their first menstrual cycle, a woman loses about 1,000 immature eggs every month.
Knowledge pertaining to conception and infertility shows similar startling gaps. While more than 3 in 5 Americans (64%) know that infertility does not only impact women over the age of 35, more than a third (36%) are not aware of this. Some myths surrounding infertility appear harder to dispel, as nearly half of Americans do not know that infertility is neither mostly a female issue (49%) nor rare (45%). Furthermore, few Americans appear well-informed about secondary infertility as nearly three-quarters (73%) do not know that conception is not necessarily easier after your first full-term pregnancy.
Young adults (age 18-34) are more likely than those age 45+ to not know that infertility is not mostly a female issue (55% vs. 45%) nor rare (53% vs. 39%). This lack of knowledge is particularly prevalent among women under 35, as they are more likely than women 45+ to not know that infertility is not mostly a female issue (57% vs. 42%) nor rare (51% vs. 32%). This gap in infertility understanding highlights a strong need for better fertility education as these young adults are likely in the phase of life where this would greatly impact them.
Fertility Testing – The Silent Health Check Too Many Skip
Understanding one’s fertility is extremely important, though it is understandable that it can feel daunting and overwhelming. Nearly a fifth of Americans who have not used fertility services (19%) say they are afraid to have their fertility tested. This fear is strongest among young adults (age 18-34) as they are nearly three times as likely as those age 35+ to feel this way (38% vs. 13%).
Fertility appears to be an area of life many Americans tend not to concern themselves with until they need to. Nearly 3 in 5 parents or those who are currently trying to conceive (57%) say they never gave much thought to understanding their fertility before trying to have a child(ren). A similar proportion of those not currently trying but planning to conceive in the future (60%) say they haven’t given much thought to understanding their fertility for when they want to try having a child in the future.
Many even appear optimistic they will not experience fertility challenges, with half of those who are currently trying to have a child(ren) or plan to in the future (50%) reporting they are not concerned about fertility impacting their ability to have children.
However, nearly 3 in 10 Americans (28%) report they or a partner have faced/are facing fertility issues. This alarmingly jumps to nearly 2 in 5 (37%) among those ages 18-44, possibly suggesting that these issues are becoming more common. And most Americans who have faced or are facing fertility issues (57%) wish they had gotten their/their partner’s fertility tested sooner than they did, including 69% of Americans who have used fertility services.
As Paths to Parenthood Evolve, Reliance on Fertility Services Rise
Fortunately, advancements in healthcare provide those who face infertility with new possibilities for conception. Around a third of Americans (34%) have used, are using, or plan to use fertility services, including 15% who have used, are using, or plan to use IVF. Usage of fertility services, and IVF specifically, appears to be on the rise, as those ages 18-44 are significantly more likely than those ages 45+ to say they have used, are using, or plan to use fertility services in general (49% vs. 21%), including IVF services in particular (24% vs. 7%).
Among those who have used, are using, or plan to use fertility services, the most common reasons for doing so include their/their partner’s age impacting their fertility (20%), being single but wanting a family (now or in the future) (18%), and female fertility issues (17%). Among those who have used, are using, or are planning to use IVF, top motivators for doing so include female fertility issues (25%), age impacting fertility (23%), and previous pregnancy loss(es) (22%).
Benefits of Fertility Services Outweigh the Challenges They Present
However, some Americans appear apprehensive towards using fertility services, as more than a third of those who have faced/are facing fertility issues and have not used fertility services (36%) report the driving force is fear/anxiety (including surgical procedures, out-of-pocket costs, long-term impacts of treatments, and taking medications/injections).
Using fertility services is not devoid of challenges either. In fact, ability to attend appointments (31%), side effects of procedures and/or medications (26%), out-of-pocket costs (25%), and navigating the emotional ups and downs of the process/journey (18%) are among the biggest challenges faced while using fertility services among those who have used them.
Despite these obstacles and concerns, more than half of Americans (55%) agree fertility services are worth all the challenges that come with it – jumping to 83% among those who have used/are using IVF.
Stigma Around Infertility Is Costing People the Support They Need
Two in three Americans (67%) believe it’s important for people to talk honestly about their fertility struggles, and nearly 2 in 3 (64%) feel open conversations about fertility can help reduce any stigma surrounding infertility. Yet more than 2 in 5 (42%) say discussing their fertility with someone other than their partner feels too personal, perhaps because nearly 3 in 5 (57%) recognize that stigma still exists.
Stigma may be shrouding those undergoing fertility struggles in shame and isolation. More than 2 in 5 Americans who used/are using fertility services (44%) say they didn’t/don’t feel like they had/have anyone to turn to for support while undergoing such services, including more than half of those who used/are using IVF (54%). More than half who faced/are facing fertility issues report feeling as though their body has failed them because of their fertility challenges (56%) and feel/felt completely alone during their fertility journey (52%).
In fact, many are longing for greater support during this emotionally, and often physically demanding time. Nearly 7 in 10 Americans who used/are using fertility services (69%) report undergoing such treatment is an emotional roller-coaster they weren’t prepared for. Around two-thirds (67%) say they could use/have used more support while receiving fertility services (e.g., from their medical team, from friends/family, etc.). Furthermore, over 3 in 5 (62%) wish they had been referred to a therapist and/or support group when beginning fertility services.
It Takes a Village to Raise a Child — and to End Infertility Stigma
Despite living in an information-rich era, many Americans still lack a clear understanding of fertility, with young adults – and women in particular – showing the greatest knowledge gaps. Given these gaps and the fact that so many have faced fertility challenges, there is a clear need to better educate all Americans on fertility issues, what impacts their fertility health, and the choices they may need to make in order to have families.
Infertility remains shrouded in stigma, which can further compound feelings of isolation, shame, and self-blame – perhaps amplifying the call for greater emotional support in this area. This unnecessary burden highlights the pressing need for enhanced emotional support and understanding. Encouraging and uplifting the voices and experiences of those who have faced infertility and instituting better coverage and support (both financial and emotional), can help to dismantle infertility stigma. Providers can also play a pivotal role by ensuring patients are educated about all their fertility options and potential challenges, as well as ensuring regular check-ins to assess patients’ physical and mental well-being throughout their journey. “While the results of this research highlight vital gaps in knowledge and care, by implementing these strategies, we can help eradicate the stigma associated with infertility, creating a more informed and supportive environment for those facing these challenges. As a society, we have the power to act and ensure no one walks this path alone or uninformed.” said Emily Morton, Sr. Research Analyst at The Harris Poll.
Survey Methodology
This survey was conducted online within the United States by The Harris Poll from June 24-26, 2025, among 2,089 adults ages 18 and older. The sampling precision of Harris online polls is measured by using a Bayesian credible interval. For this study, the sample data is accurate to within +/- 2.5 percentage points using a 95% confidence level. For complete survey methodology, including weighting variables and subgroup sample sizes, please contact our team.
