IUI Cost in the UK: What You'll Pay (2026)

Key Takeaways

Unstimulated IUI costs £800–£1,500 per cycle — roughly a tenth of the cost of IVF
Medicated (stimulated) IUI costs £1,000–£2,000 per cycle, including fertility drugs
Most people try 3–6 IUI cycles before moving to IVF, costing £2,400–£9,000 total
IUI success rates are 10–18% per cycle (vs 25–32% for IVF) — lower per attempt, but the lower cost means you can try more times
IUI is available on the NHS in some areas, though eligibility criteria vary significantly

What IUI Costs: Cycle by Cycle

IUI (intrauterine insemination) is the simplest form of assisted fertility treatment. Washed, concentrated sperm is placed directly into the uterus around the time of ovulation. It's done in a clinic but doesn't require sedation, egg collection, or laboratory fertilisation.

There are two types, and the cost difference is significant:

Unstimulated (natural cycle) IUI

Your body ovulates naturally — the clinic monitors your cycle with scans and performs the insemination at the right time.

Component	Cost
Cycle monitoring (2–3 scans)	£300–£600
Sperm preparation (washing and concentration)	£200–£400
Insemination procedure	£200–£400
Total per cycle	£800–£1,500

Stimulated (medicated) IUI

You take fertility drugs (typically Clomifene or Letrozole, sometimes injectable gonadotropins) to stimulate ovulation, increasing the number of eggs released.

Component	Cost
Fertility medication	£100–£500 (oral drugs are cheaper; injectables cost more)
Additional monitoring (more scans needed)	£100–£300 extra
Sperm preparation + insemination	£400–£800
Total per cycle	£1,000–£2,000

Donor sperm IUI

If you're using donor sperm (single women, same-sex couples, or male-factor infertility), add the cost of sperm purchase:

Component	Cost
IUI cycle (as above)	£800–£2,000
Donor sperm (per straw)	£800–£1,500
Total per cycle	£1,600–£3,500

Donor sperm costs vary by bank and type (anonymous vs identity-release). Most clinics have partnerships with specific sperm banks, though you can source independently.

IUI vs IVF: The Cost-Effectiveness Question

IUI is significantly cheaper per cycle. But it's also less effective per cycle. So which is actually better value?

Factor	IUI (unstimulated)	IUI (stimulated)	IVF (standard)
Cost per cycle	£800–£1,500	£1,000–£2,000	£7,000–£12,000
Success rate per cycle	8–12%	12–18%	25–32%
Typical cycles tried	3–6	3–6	2–3
Total cost for 3 cycles	£2,400–£4,500	£3,000–£6,000	£21,000–£36,000
Cumulative success (3 cycles)	~25–35%	~30–45%	~60–70%

The maths depends on your diagnosis and age:

IUI makes financial sense when:

You're under 35 with unexplained infertility or mild male-factor issues
Your fallopian tubes are open and healthy (confirmed by HSG or HyCoSy)
You're a single woman or same-sex couple using donor sperm
You want to try a less invasive (and less expensive) option before committing to IVF

IVF is likely better value when:

You're over 38 (success rates for IUI drop more steeply with age)
You have blocked fallopian tubes, severe endometriosis, or significant male-factor infertility
You've already tried 3–6 IUI cycles without success
Time is a factor and you want the highest chance per attempt

NICE guidelines recommend offering IUI (up to 6 cycles) for unexplained infertility before moving to IVF — but not all NHS areas follow this recommendation.

IUI on the NHS

The NHS funds IUI in some areas, though it's less consistently available than NHS IVF. Eligibility varies by ICB area and typically requires:

Confirmed ovulation or willingness to use ovulation-stimulating drugs
At least one open fallopian tube
Adequate sperm quality (or access to donor sperm)
Duration of infertility: usually 2+ years
Age and BMI criteria similar to IVF eligibility

Important: Some NHS areas have stopped offering IUI entirely, directing patients straight to IVF. Others offer 3–6 funded IUI cycles before considering IVF referral. Check with your local ICB or GP.

For same-sex couples and single women using donor sperm, NHS IUI eligibility is particularly inconsistent. Some areas fund it; others require you to self-fund a set number of IUI attempts before being eligible for NHS IVF.

Check your area's NHS eligibility criteria →

What to Expect: The IUI Process

IUI is considerably less involved than IVF. A typical cycle looks like this:

Baseline scan (Day 1–3) — checks your ovaries and uterine lining
Medication (if stimulated) — taken from Day 2–5 onwards for 5–12 days
Monitoring scans (2–3 visits) — tracks follicle growth and ovulation timing
Trigger injection (optional) — hCG injection to time ovulation precisely
Sperm preparation — partner or donor sample is washed and concentrated (takes ~1 hour)
Insemination — a thin catheter places sperm into the uterus. Takes 5–10 minutes. Usually painless — no sedation required
Two-week wait — pregnancy test 14 days after insemination

The whole process takes 2–4 weeks per cycle. Unlike IVF, there's no egg collection surgery, no embryo culture, and no laboratory fertilisation step. Most people can continue normal activities throughout.

When to Stop IUI and Move to IVF

The general guidance:

After 3 unsuccessful cycles — if you're over 35 or have been trying for 3+ years total, most consultants will recommend moving to IVF
After 6 unsuccessful cycles — for younger patients with no identified cause, 6 cycles is typically the maximum recommended before IVF
Immediately if IUI isn't appropriate — blocked tubes, severe male-factor, or very low ovarian reserve mean IUI is unlikely to work

The financial consideration: six stimulated IUI cycles cost £6,000–£12,000. Two IVF cycles cost £14,000–£24,000 but with roughly double the cumulative success rate. At some point, the lower per-cycle cost of IUI stops being the better investment.

Your consultant should discuss this transition with you based on your specific results and diagnosis. If they don't raise it after 3 unsuccessful IUI cycles, ask the question directly.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does IUI cost in the UK?

Unstimulated IUI costs £800–£1,500 per cycle. Stimulated (medicated) IUI costs £1,000–£2,000 per cycle. With donor sperm, add £800–£1,500 per cycle for sperm purchase. Most people try 3–6 cycles.

Is IUI available on the NHS?

In some areas, yes. NHS IUI availability varies significantly by ICB. Some areas offer 3–6 funded cycles for eligible patients; others have stopped offering IUI entirely. Check with your local ICB or GP.

What is the success rate of IUI?

IUI success rates are 8–12% per cycle (unstimulated) or 12–18% per cycle (stimulated). Cumulative rates over 3 cycles are approximately 25–45%. Success decreases with age, particularly after 38.

Is IUI painful?

Most people describe IUI as uncomfortable rather than painful — similar to a smear test. The insemination takes 5–10 minutes and doesn't require sedation or anaesthesia. You can usually return to normal activities immediately.

How many IUI cycles should I try before IVF?

NICE recommends up to 6 IUI cycles for unexplained infertility before moving to IVF. Many consultants recommend reassessing after 3 unsuccessful cycles, particularly if you're over 35. The decision depends on your age, diagnosis, and how long you've been trying.

Can I do IUI at home?

Home insemination kits exist, but they're not the same as clinical IUI. Clinical IUI uses washed sperm placed directly into the uterus via catheter — this bypasses the cervix and concentrates motile sperm. Home kits place unwashed semen at the cervix, which is closer to natural conception. Clinical IUI has higher success rates.

Next Steps

*Last updated April 2026. Costs from HFEA-licensed clinic pricing data and UK fertility clinic websites. Success rates from HFEA and NICE guidelines. This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.*