Intrauterine Insemination (IUI)
$800 per cycle. The least invasive place to start.
Insemination, up to three monitoring ultrasounds, and every in-person visit through the cycle — one published fee. Medications typically $200–$300. OI available standalone at $250 for patients who just need monitored ovulation support.
What this service is
Intrauterine Insemination (IUI).
IUI is one of the most common and accessible fertility treatments we offer at Arbor. It’s often the first recommendation for couples with unexplained infertility, mild male-factor concerns, same-sex couples using donor sperm, or anyone who wants to try a less invasive option before stepping up to IVF.
Our $800 IUI package covers the insemination procedure itself, up to three monitoring ultrasounds, and every in-person monitor visit through the cycle. Medications, donor sperm, and diagnostic lab work are billed separately so you always know what you are paying for.
Every IUI cycle at Arbor follows the same three steps: we monitor your cycle to pinpoint ovulation, the lab prepares a concentrated sperm sample, and Dr. Zarek performs the insemination with a thin catheter in a brief office visit.
Why IUI is often the first step
A shorter cycle. A simpler protocol. A real chance.
IUI works by concentrating the healthiest sperm from a semen sample and placing them directly where they need to be — past the cervix, into the uterus, timed to ovulation. It skips the distance problem that accounts for a surprising share of unexplained infertility.
The procedure itself takes minutes. There is no retrieval, no anesthesia, no embryology lab involvement. For many patients, three to six IUI cycles are worth trying before considering the larger commitment of IVF — and at $800 per cycle, the financial risk of each attempt is genuinely manageable.
Inside the $800 fee
Three steps. One price. Nothing hidden.
The IUI package covers everything from monitoring through insemination. No add-ons, no surprise line items during the cycle.
Insemination
Prepared sperm is placed directly into the uterus using a thin, flexible catheter. The procedure takes minutes, requires no anesthesia, and most patients return to normal activity the same day.
Up to three ultrasounds
Cycle monitoring tracks follicle development and pinpoints the optimal insemination window. Up to three ultrasound visits are included — enough for the majority of IUI cycles without additional cost.
Every monitor visit
All in-person visits through the cycle are covered: outcome discussions, follow-up recommendations, and coordination with Dr. Zarek. No per-visit fees on top of the package.
Not included: Diagnostic testing and infectious disease screening, medications (typically $200–$300), donor sperm services, and laboratory fees (billed to insurance). Ovulation induction (OI) is available standalone at $250 for patients who need monitored ovulation support without insemination.
How IUI compares to IVF
$800 vs. $10,000+. Two very different commitments.
IUI and IVF solve different problems in different ways. For patients whose diagnosis fits, IUI offers a real chance at a fraction of the cost and complexity. Here’s how they compare side by side.
| IUI at Arbor | IVF at Arbor | |
|---|---|---|
| Published fee | $800 | $10,000 |
| Typical medications | $200–$300 | $3,000–$5,000 |
| Cycle length | 2–4 weeks | 4–6 weeks |
| Anesthesia required | × | Yes (retrieval) |
| Lab embryology | × | ✓ |
| Best for | Unexplained infertility, mild male factor, donor sperm | Tubal factor, severe male factor, failed IUI, age-related decline |
Most fertility specialists recommend three to six IUI cycles before considering IVF. Dr. Zarek will walk through which path fits your diagnosis and timeline during your consult.
Common questions about IUI.
How does IUI differ from IVF?
IUI is less invasive and significantly less expensive. It involves placing concentrated sperm directly into the uterus, timed to ovulation. IVF involves stimulating the ovaries to produce multiple eggs, retrieving those eggs under anesthesia, fertilizing them in a laboratory, and transferring an embryo back to the uterus. IUI is typically the first treatment we try before considering IVF.
Who is a good candidate for IUI?
Ideal candidates include patients with unexplained infertility, mild male-factor concerns (lower sperm count or motility), same-sex female couples using donor sperm, single individuals using donor sperm, and anyone who prefers a less invasive starting point. Dr. Zarek evaluates candidacy during your consult based on your specific diagnosis.
What does the $800 fee cover?
The insemination procedure, up to three monitoring ultrasounds, and all in-person visit fees through the cycle. Medications (typically $200–$300), diagnostic testing, infectious disease screening, donor sperm services, and lab work (billed to insurance) are separate so you always know what each line item costs.
How many cycles should I try before switching to IVF?
Most fertility specialists recommend three to six IUI cycles before considering alternatives. If three to four well-timed cycles with appropriate medication haven’t led to pregnancy, that’s usually a signal to discuss IVF. Dr. Zarek will re-evaluate your protocol after each cycle and make a recommendation — we never push patients through cycles that aren’t working.
Can I use donor sperm with IUI?
Yes — donor sperm is commonly used with IUI for single individuals and same-sex female couples. You select a donor from an FDA-licensed sperm bank, the bank ships frozen vials directly to Arbor, and we thaw and prepare the sample on the day of insemination. Donor sperm cost is paid directly to the bank and is not part of the $800 IUI fee.
Can I use insurance with IUI?
If you have fertility benefits, we’ll verify your coverage and bill your plan directly. The $800 published fee is your ceiling — you pay only what your plan leaves. Lab work is routinely billed to insurance regardless of fertility coverage, which offsets some of the out-of-pocket cost for many patients.
Often considered alongside
Related services worth a look.
Wondering whether IUI is the right first step?
Most patients start with a 30-minute consult — $100 virtual, $200 in person. We’ll review your history, talk through whether IUI, OI, or another path fits, and give you a written cost breakdown before you decide anything.