Fertility Treatments Largely on Hold Due to Covid-19

Quick Answer: Fertility treatments were paused briefly in spring 2020 under ASRM guidance, but clinics fully reopened by mid-2020 and have operated continuously since. ART cycle volume in the United States has grown every year since the pandemic, surpassing 432,000 cycles annually as of the most recent CDC report.

Key Takeaways

• The American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) recommended a temporary suspension of new fertility cycles in March 2020, then updated its guidance in late April 2020 to support a phased reopening.
• Fertility clinics nationwide have been fully operational since mid-2020, with enhanced infection-control protocols.
• Telehealth adoption became permanent in reproductive endocrinology, with utilization remaining roughly 38x pre-pandemic levels per the American Medical Association.
• Long-term CDC, ASRM, and SMFM data confirm that COVID-19 vaccination does not affect fertility or IVF outcomes.
• Annual ART cycles exceeded 432,000 in the most recent CDC ART Fertility Clinic Success Rates Report, higher than any pre-pandemic year.

When the COVID-19 pandemic reached the United States in early 2020, fertility care came to an abrupt and painful pause. For families in the middle of an IVF cycle, a planned embryo transfer, or a long-awaited egg retrieval, that pause felt like a door closing at the worst possible moment.

We have lived several years past that initial shock, and the fertility industry looks different today than it did then. Stronger, in many ways. This post is a look back at what happened, what we learned, and how families pursuing parenthood are better supported as a result.

What Happened in Spring 2020

In March 2020, the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) issued guidance recommending that fertility clinics suspend new treatment cycles, postpone non-urgent embryo transfers, halt elective surgeries, and shift to telehealth wherever possible. The goal was to protect patients and staff, preserve personal protective equipment for hospitals, and reduce community spread.

For a brief period, fertility clinics across the country closed their doors to new cycles. Patients already mid-cycle were carefully transitioned, but anyone hoping to begin treatment had to wait.

The guidance changed quickly. By late April 2020, ASRM updated its recommendations to allow a gradual, safety-conscious resumption of treatment. By the summer of 2020, most clinics had reopened with enhanced protocols. 

What COVID Permanently Changed in Fertility Care

The pause was painful, but it accelerated improvements that have lasted.

Telehealth Became Standard

Before 2020, most fertility consultations happened in person. Today, initial consultations, results reviews, psychological screenings, and routine follow-ups regularly happen via video. According to the American Medical Association, telehealth utilization in specialty care remained at roughly 38 times pre-pandemic levels through 2024, with reproductive endocrinology among the specialties where adoption stuck.

For intended parents working across state lines (a frequent reality in surrogacy and egg donation arrangements), this has been transformative. You can now interview clinics, donors, and surrogates from your kitchen.

IVF Demand Grew

There was real concern in 2020 that the pandemic would set the fertility industry back for years, but the opposite happened. CDC ART data shows that the number of assisted reproductive technology cycles performed annually in the United States has grown steadily since 2020, surpassing 432,000 cycles in the most recent reporting year. More families are pursuing IVF, donor egg, and gestational surrogacy paths than ever before.

Mental Health Support Became Part of the Standard of Care

The isolation, grief, and uncertainty of 2020 surfaced how much emotional support fertility patients need. Today, most reputable fertility clinics and agencies (Elevate Baby included) integrate mental health resources into the standard intake process, not as an add-on.

Vaccine and Infection Data are Clear

Years of data from the CDC, ASRM, and the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine confirm that COVID-19 vaccination does not affect fertility, IVF success rates, or pregnancy outcomes. ASRM continues to recommend vaccination for anyone trying to conceive, pregnant, or breastfeeding.

What This Means for You Today

If you paused your family-building plans during the pandemic and have been hesitant to restart, you are not alone. We hear from intended parents every month who needed a few years to feel ready again.

Here is what we want you to know:

• Fertility clinics are open, fully staffed, and operating at higher cycle volumes than before the pandemic.
• Telehealth options give you the flexibility you did not have in 2019.
• Donor and surrogate matching has expanded, and our database has more options than ever.
• Mental health support is available, and we strongly recommend it for anyone pursuing this path.

Don’t Give Up

The pandemic taught all of us how precious the chance to build a family really is. If you paused, take heart. The path forward is clearer, safer, and even more supportive than it was before 2020. 

If you’re ready for the next step, contact us. We’re here to help you love your journey.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are fertility clinics fully operational in 2026? 

Yes. Fertility clinics nationwide have been fully operational since mid-2020, with enhanced infection-control protocols that remain in place.

Does COVID-19 affect fertility or pregnancy? 

Long-term data from the CDC and ASRM show that COVID-19 infection during pregnancy can carry risks, but vaccination is safe and recommended. There is no evidence that vaccination affects fertility in any way.

Did COVID-19 set the IVF industry back? 

No, the opposite. ART cycle volume in the United States has grown every year since 2020, and access to telehealth-supported care has expanded considerably.

Should I worry about restarting fertility treatment after a long pause? 

No. Many intended parents paused during the pandemic and have successfully resumed. Your fertility team can help you reassess your starting point and build a new timeline.