Infertility affects 1 in 8 couples and is a condition that’s often misunderstood by the public. It’s estimated that one-third of infertility cases can be treated with In Vitro Fertilization (IVF). IVF is an incredibly expensive procedure, which is why it may be covered by insurance or offered at a reduced cost through some clinics.

What is IVF?

In-vitro fertilization (IVF) and intrauterine insemination (IUI) are two types of assisted reproductive technology that may be used when a couple has difficulty conceiving on their own. Both procedures involve fertility drugs to stimulate the ovaries and cause multiple eggs to develop. The difference between IVF and IUI is that with IVF, I removed sperm from the male partner through a minor surgical procedure and then injected it into an egg retrieved from the female partner. With IUI, sperm is just placed directly inside your uterus via a thin tube or catheter.

Intrauterine insemination (IUI) is a form of artificial insemination that helps with fertilization.

 It involves inserting specially washed and treated sperm directly into the uterus by way of a syringe that’s inserted through the cervix.

The procedure bypasses the vagina and cervix. This minimizes exposure to potential infections or other problems, as well as reduces physical discomfort associated with sexual intercourse.

The process involves:

• A clean-up of your fallopian tubes to make sure they are clear of any clots or blockages (this is called tubal flushing)
• Sperm washing – this is done in order to separate viable sperm from all other cells present in semen so that only healthy sperm can be used during your IUI treatment
• Fertility injections – these may be given by mouth or intramuscularly during certain points in an IUI cycle

By bypassing the vagina and cervix, this process can help sperm get closer to the fallopian tubes, which increases the chances of conceiving.

Before injecting the sperm into the uterus, your doctor will probably perform a transvaginal ultrasound to ensure that your uterus is positioned properly. Then, he or she will use an instrument called a catheter to place the sperm inside your uterus. The doctor may also choose to use another method called hysterosalpingography (HSG), which involves passing an x-ray dye through your fallopian tubes and ovaries after inserting it into your vagina. This helps determine whether there are any blockages preventing conception from occurring.

Once you have been given all of these instructions, you can begin taking some time off in order to focus on healing and relaxing while waiting for results!

Each cycle of IUI can cost between $500 and $4,000 but there are often financial assistance options available for those who qualify.

There is no standard price for IUI because the cost varies depending on the clinic and what drugs are used. The typical range is between $500 and $4,000 per cycle of treatment.

When you’re looking into your options for fertility treatments, be sure to ask if they offer financial assistance programs that may help you pay the costs. If your health insurance covers infertility treatment, this will also lower your out-of-pocket expenses.

How much does it cost to do one cycle of IUI?

IUI costs $500 – $4,000. The cost of IUI depends on the following:

• which drugs get used in concert with IUI (gonadotropin, Clomid etc),
• Whether monitoring is done ($500 – $1,000). Monitoring involves ultrasound scans, blood tests and ultrasound scans after ovulation has taken place to confirm that pregnancy has occurred. This adds to the overall cost of IUI treatment as it requires extra doctor visits and blood tests as well as an ultrasound scan after a pregnancy has been confirmed.
• whether a second IUI will be performed on successive days if you don’t achieve conception on your first attempt at this method of fertility treatment (costs vary depending on how much medication you need).

One cycle is made up of several visits to care providers, such as doctor’s appointments or egg retrieval procedures or donor sperm costs.

IUI is a relatively simple procedure, but it varies depending on your situation. 

How many visits to care providers are required?

One cycle may include three office visits: one for an ultrasound, one for blood work, and one for the actual IUI itself. At each visit, you’ll have blood drawn, and an ultrasound done to check if your ovaries are producing any eggs that can be retrieved. You may also need additional procedures like ultrasounds or injections before the final steps are taken (we’ll talk more about those later). The number of trips you make depends on how long it takes until you’re ready for fertilization (called “ovulation” in women), as well as what drugs are used during this process.

Is IUI covered by insurance?

If you have a high-deductible plan, you may need to pay for the procedure out of pocket. If your insurance company covers IUI, it may be in your best interest to get more information about their coverage before moving forward with treatment.

If you don’t have health insurance and would like to pursue an IUI cycle, one option is to look into fertility financing plans. This type of financing allows couples struggling with infertility to receive treatment while paying off their loan over time once they’ve conceived a child through IVF or other fertility treatments. These loans are often very affordable since they are designed specifically for people pursuing IVF or other types of fertility treatment—and if you don’t end up having a baby within two years after receiving the loan, then some lenders will even let you pay off the loan early without penalty!