What Asian Americans Should Know About Infertility and IVF

Infertility affects millions of people in the U.S., but the experience is not the same across all communities. For Asian Americans, the path to building a family through fertility treatments, including IVF and donor egg IVF, can involve added barriers, both cultural and clinical. And yet, it’s a topic that often goes unspoken, even among those who are directly affected.

This article explores what the research says about infertility in Asian American communities, why many people wait longer to seek care, and what makes fertility treatment, especially with donor eggs, more complicated for some. We’ll also discuss the role of stigma, access issues, and the very real challenge of finding Asian egg donors. Whether you’re early in the process or weighing donor options, this piece is meant to help you feel more informed and less alone.

Infertility is common—but help is often delayed

About one in eight couples in the U.S. experience infertility. That includes people from all racial and ethnic backgrounds, but Asian Americans tend to be underrepresented in fertility clinics, despite facing similar or higher rates of infertility. Studies have suggested that many Asian American women experience delayed childbearing and may face unique reproductive health risks. Yet, they are often less likely to seek fertility evaluation or treatment.

There are many reasons for this, including a lack of awareness about what counts as infertility, skepticism about treatment, or the belief that things will “work out on their own.” For those who do eventually pursue care, it's not uncommon to be older at the time of first consultation, which can affect treatment outcomes and available options.

IVF outcomes may differ by ethnicity

Several studies have shown that Asian American women may have lower IVF success rates compared to white women. This includes lower implantation rates, rates of pregnancy and live birth. Asian women trying IVF also miscarry more than white women. The exact reasons aren't fully understood, but some hypotheses include:

• Differences in ovarian reserve or response to stimulation
• Delayed access to care due to cultural or structural barriers
• Higher prevalence of certain conditions like endometriosis or PCOS in some Asian subgroups

It’s worth noting that “Asian American” is a broad label. People of East Asian, South Asian, and Southeast Asian descent may have very different experiences—but most fertility data doesn’t distinguish between these groups, making it harder to draw nuanced conclusions.

Cultural stigma still shapes decisions

Fertility is a private topic in many cultures, but in some Asian communities, it’s especially sensitive. There can be pressure to avoid openly discussing reproductive health struggles—even with close family members. Some people may fear judgement or feelings of inadequacy, especially in multigenerational family structures where reproductive “success” can carry weight.

This silence can delay diagnosis and treatment, or lead people to avoid asking questions or seeking second opinions. In cases where donor egg IVF becomes part of the conversation, there may be added hesitation about using donor gametes at all.

Having culturally competent care teams—those who understand the nuances of these dynamics—can help bridge the gap. Support from others who’ve been through it can also make a difference.

Asian egg donors are hard to find

One of the most significant hurdles for Asian American intended parents pursuing donor egg IVF is the limited availability of Asian egg donors in the U.S. Most donor databases skew white, and Asian donors—particularly those from specific backgrounds like Korean, Indian, Vietnamese, or Filipino—are underrepresented.

This can lead to longer wait times, higher costs, and tougher decisions, and emotional strainabout whether to move forward with a donor who doesn’t share your cultural background.

Egg sharing programs, like those offered by Cofertility, help broaden access. In our model, donors freeze their eggs for their own future use and share half with a family. Because the incentive is egg preservation, not cash payment, it attracts a different pool of donors—many of whom are thoughtful about long-term impact and open to more transparency in the match.

We have helped many Asian families find egg donors to expand their family. In fact, while other agencies struggle to recruit Asian egg donors, we have dozens of Asian egg donors ready to be matched at any time. Create a free account today to see donor profiles. 

Build your dream family today

Asian American intended parents face many of the same fertility challenges as anyone else—but often with added layers of stigma, underrepresentation, and silence. The medical system hasn’t always made it easy, and cultural norms can still hold people back from seeking care early or asking for support.

But things are changing. Fertility conversations are becoming more open. More people are exploring donor egg IVF as a viable path to parenthood. And while the search for an Asian egg donor may take time and patience, new models—like egg sharing—are starting to reshape what’s possible.

If you’re navigating IVF or donor egg options and feeling overwhelmed, you’re not alone. The path may not be simple, but it is worth exploring—and we can help you get there.