IUI is known as intrauterine insemination, and IVF is known as in-vitro fertilization, both are considered fertility treatments that are used to help individuals that are struggling to conceive a child. The ultimate difference between IUI and IVF is the process that is involved. IVF uses an egg stimulation, retrieval, fertilization, and transfer process; while IUI uses the process where they inject the sperm into the patient’s uterus which decreases the sperm’s travel time to the egg, giving it a higher chance of fertilization.

IVF treatments use a five-step process which includes:

1. Pre-cycle diagnostic testing
2. Stimulate the ovaries to help reduce the number of eggs in one cycle
3. Fertilize the eggs in our sterile and clean laboratory
4. Transfer the embryos to the patient’s uterus

IVF treatments provide a higher success rate depending on the age of the female.

IUI fertility treatments is when the sperm is directly inserted into the female patient’s uterus when they are ovulating, this is done to decrease the sperm’s travel time to the egg.
When a female ovulates, 1 egg is picked up by the fallopian tube were it waits to meet with the sperm that has been injected. IUI is able to deposit higher concentrations of great quality sperm closer to where the egg lays in wait, increasing the chances for each to unite to create a baby.

IUI and IVF are some of the most common fertility treatments available today. Many couples have issues trying to conceive, this is where these two treatments become available. Before our fertility specialist is able to recommend a particular fertility treatment, several tests, as well as a physical exam, may need to be done. Based on the results, we receive from the test as well as the physical exam will determine the potential treatment option available to you. Our fertility specialists may also be able to provide an estimated chance of conception success based on the results received, whether you want to try to conceive naturally, or with each fertility treatment type.

However, it is quite common that couples usually start their fertility treatment journey with IUI, this is due to it being a much less invasive procedure than IVF. IUI inserts washed sperm directly into the female patient’s uterus during her ovulation window.

The reason most fertility clinics will “wash sperm” is it will contain more motile sperm; this is done as it will most likely fertilize the egg. Again, the reason we insert the sperm directly into the female’s uterus, so the sperm can reach the egg a lot faster.

There are a few different costs associated with fertility treatments. Depending on a few variables, including if you use medication or not will depend on the total cost of your fertility treatment.

IUI often includes monitoring as well as the insemination process and may or may not include medication; if you decide to go the route of no medication it can cost upwards of $1000 or more per cycle. Depending on if you choose oral or injectable medications, you could see on average another $100 to $2000 added to the total cost of your fertility treatment per cycle.

IUI is considered a much simpler fertility treatment to undergo, there is much less involved in fertilizing that egg with this treatment than IVF.

One cycle of IVF which will include all monitoring, egg retrieval, as well as embryo transfer will cost anywhere between $12,000-$20,000; this is all dependent on the state as well as the clinic that the IVF fertility treatment is done at. This does not include medication; if you do want to include medication it needs to be the injectable kind, which would cost an additional $2000-$6000. These costs are estimates only, and our estimates are on a per-cycle basis.

To get a more specific estimate for your fertility treatment, it is best to speak to one of our fertility specialists today.

The new hope center for reproductive medicine is based in Virginia Beach, VA except for the most major health care insurance is infertility birthday plans. For more information on the insurances we accept, give us a call or simply visit our website for more details. We serve patients from Virginia Beach VA, Rudee Heights VA, Lynnhaven VA, Linkhorn Estates VA and Dam Neck VA.