Quick Facts
Approximately 1 in 6 Islanders experience infertility- Gender diverse people experience additional barriers accessing fertility treatment
- There are no fertility clinics on PEI; Islanders seeking fertility treatment must travel off-Island
- Mental health supports related to infertility can be found on PEI
- The PEI Fertility Treatment Program offers financial assistance to Islanders seeking fertility treatment
Anyone experiencing fertility challenges can first seek preliminary testing through a primary care provider or SHORS for those without a primary care provider. Financial assistance for off-Island fertility treatments is available through the Fertility Treatment Program. Mental and emotional health support related to fertility issues is available through SHORS.
The Longer Story
According to the Canadian Fertility and Andrology Society, on average, 1 in 6 women experience infertility, a number that has doubled since the 1980s. Transgender and gender diverse people experience additional barriers when it comes to seeking fertility treatments.
Fertility rates in cisgender women and cisgender men have been on the decline for decades, meaning that infertility treatments are becoming more necessary for those wishing to become pregnant.
Transgender and gender diverse people may have to seek fertility treatments, regardless of their current state of health, to become pregnant.
Identifying and treating infertility can be a long and expensive process. Those who have travelled this journey often report a decline in their mental health. There is no guarantee the treatment will work, and costs escalate with each treatment attempt.
The experience can be even more frustrating for transgender and gender diverse people, as the medical system often categorizes fertility challenges by gender.
Fertility Statistics on PEI
The exact number of Islanders experiencing infertility is unknown, as many choose not to disclose what can be a private and emotional experience. Additionally, some people choose not to have children for a variety of reasons unrelated to fertility. Moreover, not every person experiencing infertility is able to seek fertility treatment, making it difficult to track those affected by infertility.
We do know that…
- The overall fertility rate on PEI declined from its high of 1.97 in 1990 to 1.4 in 2022. [PDF]
- Over the past 40 years, the median age of Islanders has risen significantly, from 29.3 in 1982 to 41.7 in 2022, suggesting fewer babies being born.
- During the first three years of operation (2021-2023), almost 200 households were approved for funding in the Fertility Treatment Program.
Since the World Health Organization reports the same statistic of 1 in 6 experiencing infertility globally, a similar statistic can be assumed exists for Prince Edward Island.
Fertility Treatment Program
There are only 35 fertility clinics in the entire country, and none currently on Prince Edward Island. Currently, there are two private clinics in Atlantic Canada. Islanders seeking this type of health service are required to travel off-Island.
In 2021, the PEI Department of Health and Wellness launched a funding program to support Islanders seeking intrauterine insemination (IUI) and in-vitro fertilization (IVF) treatments. While this program provides funding for eligible expenses, many related costs (such as travel and accommodation) are not covered, adding an additional barrier for many. The government of Prince Edward Island is committed to further developing the Fertility Treatment Program to better serve those seeking care.
Currently, the Fertility Treatment Program provides funding to Islanders seeking IUI, IVF, and other fertility-related medical treatments at fertility clinics in Canada. Those eligible for the program can receive between $5,000 and $10,000 annually, for up to three years, based on family income, to cover eligible expenses associated with fertility treatments.
It’s important to know that the province provides funding after expenses have already been incurred. This means Islanders have to pay out-of-pocket for these treatments before receiving funding.
To contact the Fertility Treatment Program, email FertilitySupportProgram@gov.pe.ca.
PEI Fertility Treatment Options
Islanders seeking fertility treatment should first consult with their primary care provider. Those who do not have a family doctor can contact Sexual Health, Options, Reproductive Services (SHORS) - a referral is not required. To contact SHORS, phone 1-844-365-8258.
Mental Health Supports for People Experiencing Infertility
SHORS offers mental health supports for those experiencing infertility. Additionally, there are therapists who specialize in the infertility journey (please note: availability of individual therapists varies and is subject to change).