The Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology (SART) is the largest network of fertility professionals and clinics practicing assisted reproductive technology (ART) in the United States. They are widely recognized as the expert authority in data for success rates and trends in ART, including IVF, egg freezing, and egg donation.

SART has officially released its annual report, which includes the data for 2021 cycles, providing valuable insights into the state of fertility treatments in the United States. The report reveals trends in the number of cycles, patient demographics, and success rates. Not sure where to start? We’ve pulled some of our favorite highlights below:

The average age of ART patients continues to increase

The latest SART data shows that the average age of women receiving fertility treatment in 2021 was 36.4 years old, which is slightly older than the previous year's average of 36.2 years. This trend of women delaying starting a family until later in life has been consistent in recent years, with the median age for all first time births reaching 30 for the first time ever.

The use of donor eggs is increasing, and success rates remain strong

In 2020, 3,749 cycles were started with donor egg recipients, and in 2021 that number rose by nearly 20% to 4,471. Additionally, success rates for cycles using donor eggs continue to be higher than those using a patient’s own eggs. Across all age groups in 2021, the average live birth rate for patients using donor eggs was nearly double the rate for those across all age groups using their own eggs.

Egg freezing is also on the rise

In 2021, there were a total of 24,560 egg freezing (referred to in the data as “oocyte banking for fertility preservation”) cycles performed by SART-member clinics, which is a 46% increase from the previous year's 16,786 cycles, showing that more and more women are being proactive about their fertility. SART defines oocyte banking for fertility preservation as “having no intention to thaw and inseminate for at least 12 months after oocyte cryopreservation”.

Conclusion

Overall, the 2021 SART data reveals that fertility treatments in the United States are continuing to grow in popularity, from those who are looking to be proactive about their fertility earlier on, to those who are ready to grow their families now but need assistance doing so. Additionally, we see yet again that live birth rates for patients using donor eggs are high, making egg donation a viable option for those struggling to conceive with their own eggs.

At Cofertility, we provide more accessible and affordable family-building options for all. With our Freeze by Co Split program, women can freeze their eggs entirely for free when they give half of the eggs retrieved to a family that can’t conceive. Our Family by Co platform serves as a more ethical, human-first egg donor matching platform. To learn more about our programs, click the links below.

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