Fertility Treatments

Here's my story. Newly married at the age of 37, I was introduced to a fertility doctor by my OB-GYN in 2014, for a consult about my fibroids. That led to my first surgery, a mayomectomy (removal of uterine fibroids). Five months later I had my second surgery, a polypectomy, to remove a uterine polyp. Then just two months later, another polypectomy. Once we were in the clear, my ex-husband and I tried an IUI (intrauterine insemination). It was not successful. Rather than continue with another couple of IUIs as suggested by my doctor, I wanted to move straight into the in vitro fertilization (IVF) process. I figured we could forgo the cost of a few more IUIs and just pay the lump sum for IVF. In my mind, those IUIs would add up, and that money could be going toward the more expensive option. The following year we agreed on freezing my eggs at the age of 39, which according to research was very late. A year later I was divorced. 

THE DEETS:

✅ An intrauterine insemination (IUI) is a type of artificial insemination, a procedure for treating infertility. Sperm that have been washed and concentrated are placed directly in the uterus around the time the ovary releases one or more eggs to be fertilized.

✅ An IUI can cost between $500 to $4,000. Three factors that influence the cost are: 

1. Medications (up to $2,500 per cycle)

2. Monitoring and bloodwork (up to $1,000 per cycle)

3. Insemination- the actual process of injecting the sperm into the uterus (between $150 - $400)

*If using donor sperm, additional costs are incurred through a donor agency.

✅ Most doctors will recommend their patients do 3 - 6 rounds of IUI before moving to IVF.

✅ One in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycle is defined as ovarian stimulation, egg retrieval, and an embryo transfer.

✅ The cost of IVF ranges from about $15,000 to $30,000, depending on the fertility center and the patient's needs. Medications, which vary from patient to patient, can account for up to 35% of this amount.

✅ Research says that the most optimal time for freezing eggs is by the age of 30.

SOURCES: 

mayoclinic.org

fertilityiq.com 

fertilityanswers.com

forbes.com