FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions

The causes of unfulfilled desire to have children are diverse. They are almost equally attributable to men and women. In approximately 10 to 15 out of 100 couples, a specific cause cannot be found.

It is estimated that approximately one and a half million couples in the Federal Republic of Germany are involuntarily childless.

If all treatment options are utilized, approximately 70-80% of all couples can be helped.

The choice of treatment method naturally depends on the cause of infertility. For example, in the case of hormonal disorders in women, appropriate hormone treatments can lead to success. For limitations of male fertility, insemination treatments or micro-injections ('ICSI') can be promising. Details can be found in the chapter on fertility therapies.

Statutory health insurance companies have been paying half of the treatment costs since January 1, 2004, if certain conditions are met. Private payers generally pay according to the so-called polluter-pays principle. Details are presented in the chapter "Costs of Treatment."

Personal trust plays a major role in the selection of the treatment center. The individual situation of the couple seeking advice must be given special consideration in all examination and treatment measures. A personal and empathetic atmosphere must prevail in the treatment center. Permanent contact persons and reference persons must be available. The center must have all modern examination and treatment options and be subject to recognized quality standards that guarantee a high success rate.