Most Popular Fertility Treatments in the Dominican Republic

Updated December 2025

What does the evidence say about fertility and IVF in the Dominican Republic?

Infertility is a global public-health issue. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that about 1 in 6 people of reproductive age worldwide experience infertility at some point in their lives, underscoring the need for safe and accessible fertility care rather than seeing infertility as a rare problem only in wealthy countries.

In Latin America, assisted reproductive technologies (ART) such as IVF and ICSI are tracked by the Latin American Network of Assisted Reproduction (REDLARA). REDLARA accredits and monitors participating fertility centers. Earlier registry reports, such as the 2014 ART report, showed limited ART access in smaller countries, including the Dominican Republic, with only a small number of cycles per million inhabitants in earlier years. Over time, REDLARA’s centers list has expanded to include multiple Dominican clinics, reflecting growth in high-complexity fertility services and better regional integration, as described in its 20-years quality and accreditation overview.

Today, REDLARA’s directory and independent patient guides list Dominican centers such as the Instituto de Reproducción y Ginecología del Cibao (IREGCI) in Santiago and Profert in Santo Domingo as part of their network. International “fertility tourism” and regional comparison sites describe the Dominican Republic as an emerging destination for IVF, donor-egg treatment, and fertility preservation, particularly for patients from the U.S., Canada, the Caribbean, and Latin America who seek lower costs in Spanish-speaking, private clinics while still expecting modern labs and specialist care, as highlighted by resources such as Medii and Zora Health.

Which fertility procedures are most commonly offered in the Dominican Republic?

Most Dominican fertility clinics promote a core bundle of treatments rather than one single “star” procedure. Based on REDLARA-listed centers and international patient resources, the most commonly offered services are:

• Fertility evaluation and ovulation-support treatments.
• Intrauterine insemination (IUI / artificial insemination).
• In vitro fertilization (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).
• Donor-egg and donor-sperm IVF.
• Egg, sperm, and embryo freezing (fertility preservation).
• Frozen embryo transfer (FET).
• Selected advanced add-ons, such as preimplantation genetic testing (e.g., PGT-A) in some clinics.

Below is a closer look at how these options typically work in the Dominican context.

1. Fertility evaluation and ovulation-support treatments

Almost every Dominican fertility journey starts with a structured evaluation for both partners, typically including:

• Hormonal bloodwork.
• Pelvic ultrasound.
• Semen analysis.
• Imaging of uterus and fallopian tubes where indicated.

Clinics such as Profert explicitly present “fertility evaluation” as the entry point before moving toward IUI or IVF. From there, many people begin with lower-intensity interventions, such as timed intercourse with oral or injectable ovulation medications and optimization of underlying hormonal issues (for example, thyroid disorders or hyperprolactinemia). These first steps mirror international best practice and are not unique to the Dominican Republic, but they are an important part of the local fertility ecosystem.

2. Intrauterine insemination (IUI)

IUI (often called artificial insemination) is a widely used “low-complexity” treatment in Santo Domingo and other major cities. Clinics like Fertilam list IUI alongside IVF and ICSI in their service offerings, as seen in directories such as WhatClinic.

IUI is commonly used when:

• There is mild male-factor infertility.
• The cause of infertility is unexplained.
• Donor sperm is needed.
• Single women or same-sex couples are being treated in programs that support them.

Compared with IVF, IUI is less invasive and less expensive but usually has lower success rates per cycle. For many patients, it is the first active treatment after basic testing.

3. IVF and ICSI (the backbone of high-complexity care)

IVF (in vitro fertilization) and ICSI (intracytoplasmic sperm injection) are the backbone of high-complexity fertility care in the Dominican Republic:

• In IVF, eggs are retrieved from the ovaries, fertilized in a lab, and embryos are transferred to the uterus.
• In ICSI, a single sperm is injected directly into an egg, often used for more severe male-factor infertility.

Centers such as Profert and IREGCI present IVF and ICSI as their flagship services, emphasizing controlled ovarian stimulation, egg retrieval, modern embryology labs, and careful embryo transfer policies. Many also promote:

• Blastocyst-stage culture (growing embryos to day 5–6).
• Frozen embryo transfer (FET) using previously cryopreserved embryos.
• Optional preimplantation genetic testing (e.g., PGT-A) in selected cases.

The goal is to mirror global standards: high lab quality, evidence-based transfer policies, and transparent reporting through regional networks like REDLARA.

4. Donor-egg and donor-sperm IVF

Donor-egg IVF is a major offering in the Dominican Republic, reflecting worldwide trends toward older parenthood and egg-quality decline. International patient platforms describe donor-egg packages that include:

• Donor selection and screening.
• Stimulation and egg retrieval from the donor.
• IVF/ICSI in the lab.
• Embryo transfer to the intended mother (or, in some cases, shipment abroad, which raises legal questions).

Donor sperm is also used in IUI or IVF for severe male-factor infertility or for families that require donor gametes. Detailed rules around donor anonymity, disclosure to offspring, and export of gametes or embryos can be complex and sometimes unclear, so patients should confirm the legal and regulatory framework with both the Dominican clinic and professionals in their home country before proceeding.

5. Fertility preservation (egg, sperm, and embryo freezing)

Egg freezing, sperm freezing, and embryo freezing are now standard services in many Dominican clinics and frequently highlighted in their marketing to local and international patients. Typical reasons include:

• Egg freezing before age-related decline or prior to treatments like chemotherapy or radiation.
• Embryo banking for future siblings after an initial IVF cycle.
• Sperm freezing before medical treatments or long-term travel.

While the basic technology is similar worldwide, actual lab standards, storage conditions, and follow-up procedures can vary between clinics, so it is important to ask detailed questions about storage duration, annual fees, and procedures for moving gametes or embryos later.

6. Surrogacy and more complex pathways (legally sensitive)

Some international agencies mention surrogacy arrangements linked to Dominican IVF centers. However, Dominican legal analysis and law-firm commentary generally describe surrogacy as operating in a legal grey area, without a specific comprehensive statute, as noted by sources such as the U.S. State Department and local legal commentary including Matos Mateo & Asociados.

Because surrogacy touches on citizenship, parentage, and family law, intended parents considering surrogacy involving the Dominican Republic should obtain specialized legal advice in both the Dominican Republic and their home country, and review guidance from sources such as GCE Global and patient legal stories.

How do IVF and other fertility treatments in the Dominican Republic compare with the U.S. on cost and access?

Approximate cost comparison

Exact prices vary by clinic, medications, and add-ons, but publicly available cost guides show that a single IVF cycle in the United States often totals US $15,000–$25,000+ once medications and typical extras are included, according to cost breakdowns from Forbes Health and Project Life.

In contrast, Dominican fertility treatment is generally lower-priced. Public guides such as PlacidWay IVF cost estimates and patient stories like How We Became a Family suggest that:

• Standard IVF (using own eggs, without extensive genetic add-ons) is often advertised around US $5,000–$8,000 per cycle.
• Donor-egg IVF packages are typically higher than standard IVF but still substantially below U.S. donor-egg packages, which can reach US $25,000–$40,000+ in some markets.
• IUI is usually in the hundreds to low thousands of dollars per cycle in both countries, but Dominican programs often bundle services to keep total costs lower, as reflected in Dominican fertility pricing summaries.

These figures are approximate ranges from public sources, not quotes from any particular clinic. Real costs depend on the clinic, medications, the need for donor gametes, genetic testing, and currency fluctuations.

Access and coverage differences

In the United States, data from the CDC’s ART surveillance program show that assisted reproductive technology is widely used but unevenly funded. IVF access depends heavily on:

• Whether a person’s state or employer offers meaningful infertility coverage.
• Their ability to pay multiple cycles out-of-pocket.
• Local clinic availability and wait times.

The WHO and PAHO highlight that high out-of-pocket costs and patchy insurance coverage are major barriers to fertility care, even in wealthier countries. That’s why many patients who qualify clinically for treatment still never reach IVF or donor-egg/embryo options.

By contrast, the Dominican Republic offers lower procedural pricing, which can open up options like multiple IVF cycles or donor-egg treatment that would be financially impossible at home for some patients. However, patients must then factor in additional costs for travel, accommodation, potential lost income, and cross-border coordination.

What pain points do patients face in the U.S. vs traveling to the Dominican Republic?

Pain points in the U.S. and Canada

Common frustrations reported in U.S./Canadian fertility discussions and research include, as reflected in national ART summaries and cost analyses:

• High, unpredictable costs—IVF and medications can easily exceed US $20,000 per cycle.
• Insurance exclusions and fine print—coverage may exclude IVF, PGT-A, donor eggs, or embryo freezing.
• Equity concerns—minority and lower-income patients are less likely to access ART, partly due to cost, stigma, and language barriers.
• Fragmented experience—labs, imaging, pharmacy, and billing are often spread across multiple portals; patients end up project-managing their own care.

Pain points when choosing the Dominican Republic

Patients who travel to the Dominican Republic often do so despite a different set of challenges, described in fertility-tourism overviews such as BoldLatina’s fertility tourism guide.

• Travel and time away—IVF cycles may require extended stays or multiple trips, which can be logistically and emotionally demanding.
• Clinic verification and trust—distinguishing REDLARA-accredited, evidence-based centers from clinics relying mainly on marketing language is not always straightforward.
• Legal and paperwork complexity—donor-egg IVF, embryo shipment, or surrogacy can create cross-border legal issues that must be understood well in advance.
• Continuity of care—patients need a plan for ongoing monitoring and pregnancy care back home if treatment is successful.

Why many patients still choose the Dominican Republic

Despite these pain points, patients continue to choose Dominican fertility clinics because:

• Lower treatment costs make IVF and donor-egg options financially possible.
• Spanish-speaking, culturally familiar care resonates with many Caribbean, Latinx, and diaspora patients.
• Smaller, specialist centers can feel more personalized than high-volume mega-clinics.
• Modern labs and technologies are available in several accredited centers listed by REDLARA and clinic guides such as Medii.

For patients, the question is rarely “Is the Dominican Republic safe or unsafe?” but rather “Which clinic, with what safeguards, and with what coordination across borders?”

How do fertility clinics in the Dominican Republic handle costs and financing—especially for U.S. patients?

Fertility care is both medically and financially demanding. Even when base procedure prices are lower than in the United States, patients must budget for:

• Clinic fees (consultations, procedures, lab work).
• Medications (which can be a major cost driver).
• Travel and accommodation.
• Potential multiple cycles.

Some Dominican clinics work with financing partners to make care more accessible to international patients, especially those from the U.S. who face limited insurance coverage at home.

Fertilam, heva, and financing for U.S. patients

Fertilam, a fertility clinic in Santo Domingo listed on platforms such as WhatClinic, uses heva to help U.S. patients access financing for fertility treatment.

In practice, this means:

• Patients receive a structured, written treatment and cost plan from the clinic.
• Through heva, they can be connected to financing options aimed at U.S. patients, allowing them to apply for payment plans digitally and securely.
• heva acts as a coordination and infrastructure layer: it does not decide clinical care and does not itself guarantee financing approval.

From a safety and regulatory perspective, it is important to emphasize:

• Eligibility for financing always depends on the external lender’s criteria and the patient’s own financial situation (e.g., credit history).
• Patients should request a complete, itemized quote (including likely medication and lab costs) before applying.
• Interest rates, repayment schedules, and cancellation or refund policies must be reviewed carefully.

By centralizing quotes, receipts, and key documents, a coordination platform such as heva can make it easier to compare options across clinics, track financing applications, and keep a clear financial record—all without replacing the need for independent financial judgment.

Is IVF and other fertility care in the Dominican Republic safe?

IVF and ICSI are standardized procedures globally, but outcomes depend heavily on clinic quality, lab standards, staff training, and adherence to evidence-based protocols, rather than on the passport of the country itself.

Positive safety signals

Some safety markers that patients and referring doctors look for in the Dominican context include:

• REDLARA accreditation—clinics that are members of REDLARA undergo reviews of infrastructure, policies, data quality, and consent processes, and contribute to a regional registry.
• Modern lab capabilities—dedicated embryology labs, blastocyst culture, and careful embryo-transfer policies aimed at reducing risky multiple pregnancies.
• Transparent communication—written consent forms in a language patients fully understand, clear explanations of risks, and realistic discussions of success rates.

Real-world risks and variation

As in any country, there is variation:

• Not all clinics participate in registries or accreditation programs.
• Marketing claims about “success rates” may lack clear denominators or age-stratified data.
• Legal frameworks for donors, embryo shipment, or surrogacy can be incomplete or evolving.

Safe cross-border fertility care depends on clinic choice, coordination, and follow-up, not just on geography.

How can you verify fertility clinics and doctors in the Dominican Republic?

Here is a practical framework you or your local doctor can use when evaluating options.

1. Check regional and international registries

• Search REDLARA’s center directory to see whether the clinic is listed and, ideally, whether it reports data in recent registry reports.
• Confirm physician affiliations with recognized fertility or obstetrics-gynecology societies where available.

2. Request transparent data and written protocols

Ask the clinic to provide in writing:

• Number of IVF/ICSI cycles performed per year and by age group.
• Live-birth rates per embryo transfer, stratified by age.
• Rates of twin and higher-order multiple pregnancies.
• Their routine embryo-transfer policy (for example, whether they encourage single-embryo transfer for good-prognosis cases).

3. Evaluate lab and clinic infrastructure

Key questions to ask:

• Is there a dedicated embryology lab with appropriate monitoring and quality control?
• What infection-control procedures are in place?
• How is equipment backed up in the event of power outages?
• Are consents and post-treatment instructions available in a language you fully understand?

4. Consider legal and cross-border issues early

If your plan involves donor gametes, embryo shipment, or surrogacy:

• Speak with lawyers or experienced advisors in both the Dominican Republic and your home country.
• Clarify issues such as parental rights, citizenship, recognition of foreign birth certificates, and any restrictions on embryo or gamete transport, using guidance such as the U.S. State Department’s ART and surrogacy brief.

Using a digital coordination tool like heva (or a similarly structured system) can make it much easier to store all of these documents, consents, and answers in one place instead of relying on scattered emails and chats.

Checklist: key questions to ask before choosing a fertility clinic in the Dominican Republic

About the clinic

• Are you accredited by REDLARA or another recognized body?
• How many IVF/ICSI cycles did you perform last year, and in which age groups?
• What are your live-birth rates per embryo transfer for patients my age?

About safety and lab practices

• What is your policy on single-embryo vs double-embryo transfer?
• How do you monitor your lab environment and protect against equipment failures?
• How do you minimize the risk of multiple pregnancies?

About costs and financing

• What is the complete estimated cost of my treatment plan, including medications and lab fees?
• Which items are included in the package vs charged separately?
• Do you work with any financing partners for international patients, and what are the basic terms?

About logistics and follow-up

• How long should I plan to stay in the Dominican Republic for each stage of treatment?
• How will you coordinate with my OB-GYN or fertility doctor at home if I become pregnant?
• Who is my primary contact person during and after treatment?

About legal and documentation issues

• For donor cycles, what documentation will I receive about the donor and the cycle?
• Are there any legal constraints or recommended legal steps I should discuss with a lawyer in my home country?

Looking for a clearer way to plan fertility care in the Dominican Republic?

If you are comparing fertility clinics in the Dominican Republic, you are likely balancing medical questions, financial constraints, and cross-border logistics all at once.

A coordination platform like heva is designed to help patients and clinics:

• Centralize consents, lab results, imaging, and financial documents.
• Keep a shared, step-by-step timeline for tests, stimulation, travel, and follow-up.
• Support multilingual communication between Dominican teams and home-country doctors.
• Make it easier to compare quotes and manage financing applications, including for clinics such as Fertilam that use heva to support U.S. patient financing.

heva does not replace your fertility specialist or make clinical decisions, but it can make a complex, cross-border fertility journey more organized and transparent.

Frequently Asked Questions

Disclaimers

Medical Disclaimer: This article provides educational information about medical tourism and pricing. It is not medical advice. heva is a healthcare coordination platform connecting patients with providers—we do not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. All medical and travel decisions should be made in consultation with qualified healthcare professionals.

Safety Information: Safety recommendations are based on general best practices and expert guidelines. Individual circumstances may require additional precautions. Patients should continue to conduct their own research and verification of providers and facilities. heva facilitates connections but does not guarantee clinical results or safety outcomes.

Insurance Information: Insurance recommendations are general guidance only. Specific coverage needs vary by individual circumstances and procedures. Patients should consult with insurance professionals to determine appropriate coverage levels and providers.

International Healthcare: International medical care involves inherent risks and additional considerations including emergency protocols, legal differences, and care coordination. Patients should thoroughly research all aspects and maintain realistic expectations about cross-border healthcare and potential complications.