IUI

There is no single factor, which is why it is hard to predict in advance. Age, the underlying reason for fertility difficulties, sperm quality, and how ovulation is timed and monitored all play a part, and clinics measure and report outcomes differently, so comparing numbers between clinics or treatments is not straightforward. Rather than looking for one figure, it is worth asking your consultant which of these factors apply most to your situation and your partner's, if you have one. The HFEA publishes independent per-clinic, per-age-band data if you want a wider reference point.

IUI is generally the less expensive route, typically £700 to £1,500 per cycle, compared with IVF. That said, IUI is often tried across several cycles before a decision is made to move to IVF, so the cumulative cost can add up, and it is worth asking clinics to quote for a full course rather than a single attempt. Neither figure usually includes everything: medication, monitoring scans, and sperm preparation or donor sperm fees can sit outside the headline price. Ask each clinic for a complete written breakdown so you are comparing costs on the same basis.

It is a fair thing to be weighing up, and there is no single correct answer without knowing more about your situation. IUI is commonly considered for unexplained infertility, a cervical factor, donor sperm recipients, and same-sex couples, and is generally tried for a limited number of cycles, often three to six, before moving on to IVF if it has not worked. Whether it suits you depends on your specific diagnosis, if there is one, your age, and your partner's fertility, where relevant. A consultant reviewing your test results is best placed to talk through whether it fits.

Sperm, either from a partner or a donor, is specially prepared and placed directly into the uterus around the time of ovulation, which the clinic will monitor closely using scans or hormone tracking. A single cycle broadly follows your natural or lightly stimulated monthly cycle, so it takes roughly the same length as a menstrual cycle from monitoring through to the insemination itself, though appointments and timing can vary by clinic. Ask your clinic to walk through the specific schedule of visits, scans, and any medication involved, so you know what to expect week by week.

IUI places specially prepared sperm directly into the uterus around ovulation, leaving fertilisation to happen inside the body as it would naturally. IVF is a more involved process: eggs are collected, fertilised with sperm in a lab, and a resulting embryo is transferred back. IUI is less invasive and less costly per attempt, and is generally tried for a limited number of cycles first, while IVF involves more monitoring, medication, and procedures but is used for a wider range of diagnoses. Ask your consultant which route fits your specific circumstances, and what they would suggest if the first approach does not work.