Digital Health Supports At-home Fertility Treatments

The use of fertility services is clearly on rise. One in 10 women say they or their partners have received medical help to become pregnant. 

Now fertility support has gone digital. Many tech tools and apps are being developed to help patients navigate the complex and often confusing process of in-vitro fertility (IVF) treatments.

Key Points

Patients who decide to go ahead with IVF treatments are responsible most of the time to manage the process on their own, often juggling appointments, testing and medication supplies. Patients are looking for help to manage this complex and lengthy process.

The in-vitro fertilization market is worth about $8 billion and is expected to go up to $41 by 2026.

Renewed Interest in IVF

In 2022, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that 1 in 5 females ages 15-49 are unable to conceive on their own after trying for one year. 

In the last few years, investment in fertility startups has doubled.  These new companies are focusing on providing guidance and support at home, where it is often needed the most. 

A Tricky Process

IVF patients usually coordinate the complex process of testing, medication, and insurance on their own.  Issues can suddenly arise and if not taken care of quickly, can be very expensive or even dangerous for the patient.  

At-Home Tech Tools Guide and Support

Pixel Fertility was founded by Adam Hai, an experienced pharmacist in the world of fertility, who designed the Pixel app to guide its users through the often precarious and stressful path of IVF.  

As Hait explains, “For the most part, as they progress through treatment, it’s up to them to ensure they have the right medications at the right time, know how to store those medications and know how to administer those medications.”

The Pixel app is scheduled to launch in a few months giving patients round-the-clock access to information through chats and videos, medication supply alerts and insurance coordination and support.   

Another fertility startup, Proov, supplies an at-home ovulation testing kit and was started by CEO Amy Beckley, after her own expensive and frustrating experience with IVF.  As Dr. Beckley explains, she suffered three years of infertility and 7 miscarriages before she learned a simple hormone supplement could have prevented it all.

Proov is the only FDA-cleared and CE-marked at-home ovulation diagnostic platform.  The tests are done with urine strips at home with results put into the Proov app over a month-long period.  The app then analyzes the data for that cycle and makes recommendations regarding conception and any hormone imbalances seen.  

A third startup, Turtle Health, describes itself as a virtual fertility assessment clinic providing comprehensive clinical-grade testing from the comfort of your own home.  For example, blood is collected using an arm patch and they are currently working on an at-home ultrasound.  A recent study showed that 96% of these images met “clinical quality” as compared to 98% of images taken in a clinic.

Bottom Line

Fertility treatments are complex, time sensitive and as a result, very stressful. These digital resources and apps have the potential to significantly expand patient access to fertility care, while providing a more satisfactory and less anxious experience. 

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