Traveling during fertility treatment may feel overwhelming, but it’s definitely doable. While the fertility journey involves many moving parts, careful planning and coordination with your care team can help you take a trip without impacting your treatment. Use the suggestions below to prepare for your travels.
Plan ahead
Advanced preparation is important when traveling with any medication. Given the complex and time-sensitive nature of fertility treatment, the planning process involves a few more steps.
First, consult your doctor about your plans and make sure your intended travel dates don’t conflict with your treatment. In vitro fertilization (IVF) requires very thorough travel planning, since it entails multiple in-person doctor’s appointments and a very carefully timed egg retrieval. Other treatments such as intrauterine insemination (IUI) may leave more room for flexibility.
Regardless of your specific treatment plan, make sure you are up to date on vaccines and be sure to monitor health-related travel alerts. The CDC advises that women who intend to conceive consult their physician before traveling to a destination with potential exposure to the Zika virus.
Lastly, make sure that you have more than enough of your fertility medication(s) and supplies on hand. Aim for several additional days’ worth. Needles used to inject medications require a prescription in some states, so bring extra to avoid unnecessary hassle.
If you are traveling near an Alto location, same-day delivery of fertility medications and supplies may be available.
Pack your medications and supplies in a carry-on
When traveling by plane, it’s always best to pack important medications and supplies in your carry-on rather than in a checked bag. Bring everything you need to safely administer your medications, including syringes, needles, alcohol swabs, hand sanitizer, gauze, and a sharps disposal container.
While the U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA)’s current limit on liquids, gels, and creams in a carry-on is 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters), there are exceptions for medications. Bringing needles onto a plane is acceptable when accompanied by injectable medications.
Give yourself extra time to allow for additional screening of these items. The following tips may help you get through security as efficiently as possible.
Inform the TSA officer that you are carrying more than 3.4 ounces of liquid medication before your screening process begins, if applicable.
Bring a copy of your prescription(s) with you.
Keep all medications and supplies in their original packaging.
Put your medications and supplies in a separate, clear bag, as they will need to be separated from the rest of your belongings.
Store your medications at the appropriate temperature
Refrigeration is essential with many fertility medications. (At Alto, we ensure that medications are held at the right temperature before you receive them and guide you on safe at-home storage.)
Many people use frozen gel packs and insulated medication bags to store fertility medications at an appropriate temperature while traveling. (This approach is particularly useful for air travel.) As you finalize your travel plans, verify that your hotel or other accommodation offers access to a refrigerator or mini fridge.
Choose a flexible and reliable pharmacy partner
Fertility treatment can be stressful, let alone traveling during the process, but we’ll be with you every step of the way. We offer free, same-day delivery of medication and supplies right to your doorstep, and our dedicated fertility team is here to answer any questions you may have before your trip.
Interested in learning more about how Alto can support your fertility treatment? Request a price quote online or reach out through secure in-app messaging or by phone at 1-800-874-5881.
This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
