How Much Does Artificial Insemination Cost

Artificial insemination is a fertility procedure that involves injecting sperm into the uterus to increase the chance of pregnancy. This method can be used for both natural conception and with donor sperm. It’s also known as IUI (intrauterine insemination), ICI (intracytoplasmic injection) or TESA (transcervical embryo transfer).
The most common use of artificial insemination is for couples trying to conceive naturally after having unprotected sex. During this process, semen containing millions of healthy sperm is injected directly into the woman’s uterus through a catheter inserted during her menstrual period. This technique is called natural intramuscular insemination (IMI).
For women who have problems conceiving on their own, it’s possible to receive donor sperm instead via an artificial insemination procedure. Donor sperm are collected from men whose reproductive systems don’t produce fertile sperm. They’re usually frozen until they’re needed, but sometimes they’re not. If you choose to get them fresh, they’ll be ready within two hours. Your doctor will take one sperm sample from your partner and prepare it so that it contains more than 200 million sperm per milliliter. Then she’ll inject it into your uterus at least 48 hours before ovulation occurs — when the egg is released from the vagina.
If you want to know how much artificial insemination cost, keep reading.
Cost of Intrauterine Insemination
Intrauterine insemination (IUI) isn’t cheap, especially if you decide to go with donor sperm. But there are ways to cut down the expense. For example, you could try freezing any leftover sperm you collect after collecting samples for other procedures. You can also ask your health insurer to consider covering part of the cost.
It might seem difficult to figure out how much it would actually cost, since different clinics charge varying prices. However, once you find a clinic near you, you should have little trouble getting a quote. Ask about all the fees associated with the services you need, such as lab testing, medication, ultrasound, etc. Also, make sure that any special equipment required by your physician is included. Finally, find out what type of payment plan works best for you. Some doctors require prepayment while others accept partial payments over time.
In general, the average fee for IUI ranges between $400 and $2,000, depending on where you live, whether you’re going with donated sperm, and what additional services you need. The cheapest place for IUI is probably another country, but the price is still dependent on location. Costs range anywhere from less than $100 per session in El Salvador to more than $3,000 in New York City.
When you’re looking to start a family, you may wonder if you’d be better off adopting or using IVF (in vitro fertilization). Read on to learn about those options.
Donated Sperm vs. Natural Conception
While IUI is cheaper than IVF, it doesn’t always guarantee success. About 10 percent of patients who undergo IUI end up pregnant, compared to 50 percent who succeed with IVF. That means that even though it’s less expensive than IVF, it’s likely to cost you more money overall.
However, if you’ve tried IUI and failed multiple times, it’s worth considering IVF. Since IVF requires multiple attempts, it tends to be more costly overall. And if you’ve been diagnosed with certain infertility issues, such as blocked fallopian tubes, then IVF is often recommended anyway.
Another option is to try artificial insemination with donor sperm. While these methods aren’t as pricey as IVF, they can still run hundreds of dollars each year. If you’re hoping to become pregnant soon, however, you may prefer to stick with IUI because it only takes a few days to complete. With donor sperm, it could take weeks.
To see how much it might cost to use donor sperm, read on.
Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) Services Overview
Since 1993, federal law has protected people seeking treatment for infertility under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). As long as you meet the criteria established by the ADA, you will be treated without discrimination based on your gender identity or sexual orientation.
Infertility affects nearly 5 million American women, many of whom seek assistance either through ART or traditional methods. Because infertility rates have remained stable over the past decade, it was estimated that approximately 1.6 million new cases will be reported among American women in 2009 [Source: CDC].
ART refers to various assisted reproduction technology programs, including fertility treatments, genetic screening and counseling, preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD), in vitro fertilization (IVF), intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), gamete intrafallopian transfer (GIFT), zygote intrafallopian transfer (ZIFT), and pronuclear transplantation.
According to U.S. Department of Health & Human Services estimates, the annual national economic impact of medical care provided to infertile couples totals more than $20 billion annually. ART accounts for 20 percent of this spending. Although ART itself does not incur direct costs, it generates indirect costs for hospitals, physicians, laboratories and pharmaceutical companies. These indirect costs total billions of dollars every year.
So, now you understand how much artificial insemination costs and how to lower the cost. Next, we’ll discuss the steps involved in the process.

Steps Involved in Artificial Insemination
Before beginning the process of artificial insemination, your doctor will perform a physical exam and review your medical history. He or she will also order tests to determine your age, weight, height, cause of infertility, current hormone levels, cervical mucus quality, and ovarian function. A pelvic examination will help your doctor assess your anatomy and check for diseases or abnormalities. Blood tests will help him evaluate your health and rule out underlying conditions.
After reviewing all the information, he’ll discuss his findings with you. Based on your situation, he’ll recommend a specific protocol, which includes the number of eggs to harvest, the day(s) to do it, the type of stimulation drugs to use, and the timing of injections. Once he determines the optimal course of action, he’ll give you instructions for preparing yourself for the procedure.
During the actual procedure, your doctor will insert a speculum and gently massage your abdomen to soften the cervix and create the right environment. He’ll clean the area with antiseptic solution. Using local anesthesia, he’ll dilate the cervix with a soft brush, followed by sharp scraping instruments. Afterward, he’ll flush the opening several times with sterile fluid to remove any remaining debris.
Next, he’ll put lubricant jelly inside the vagina. Using a syringe, he’ll withdraw a small amount of prepared sperm from the freezer and add it to liquid media. He’ll slowly draw the mixture into the syringe, avoiding air bubbles. Once everything is loaded, he’ll insert the needleless syringe through the vaginal wall and squirt the sperm into the uterus.
He’ll repeat this step three more times, waiting around 45 minutes in between shots. During the entire process, you won’t feel anything; you just lie back and relax. After the last shot, your body will expel the sperm for roughly 12 to 24 hours.
Read on to learn about side effects.
Side Effects of Artificial Insemination
Some women experience mild cramping and spotting following artificial insemination. This reaction is normal and lasts only a few days. Other potential complications include infection, bleeding, fever, breast tenderness and bloating. If any of these symptoms occur, call your doctor immediately.
Although rare, some patients develop ectopic pregnancies, meaning the fetus develops outside the womb. An ectopic pregnancy must be aborted surgically. Early surgery is important because some medicines, like progesterone, may delay surgical removal of the fetus. Surgery is typically performed vaginally or abdominally, although laparoscopy may be necessary for removing the fetus. Complications from abortion vary, but generally do not affect future fertility.

If you enjoyed reading this article and would like to see similar ones.
Please click on this link!