How Much Does Artificial Insemination Cost In South Africa?
Artificial insemination is a commonly used fertility treatment that has helped many people become parents and could also make your dream of having a baby possible. While one can’t put a price on that, this life-changing treatment does involve certain costs, as with all medical treatments.
However, it is difficult to give a definite number when it comes to the cost of artificial insemination, because it is influenced by a wide variety of factors, which means the cost will vary from couple to couple. In this article, we look at the factors that affect the cost of artificial insemination and provide some examples to encourage you to contact us for a consultation.
If we were to provide a simple answer to the question “How much does artificial insemination cost in South Africa?” it would be that a cycle of artificial insemination treatment with your partner’s sperm at Medfem Fertility Clinic costs less than R9,000.00 at the time of writing. (You can get an updated estimate by contacting us on telephonically on +27 (11) 463 2244.)
However, it is important to understand that an artificial insemination procedure and its costs are not stand alone, but part of a comprehensive treatment plan. The cost of an artificial insemination procedure also depends on a number variables, such as whether a sperm wash procedure is necessary and if the sperm used is from the male partner or from a sperm donor. In addition, more than one treatment cycle may be required.
To provide a more realistic view of what costs may be involved for you, we take a look at the variables that affect your treatment plan; the range of conditions treated with artificial insemination; the procedure(s) involved; and the possibility of multiple treatment cycles.
Variables that affect your fertility treatment plan
Artificial insemination is a well-known and long-established fertility treatment. It is also highly effective, but only for specific fertility challenges, not for all fertility challenges. It may also be that you as a couple have more than one fertility challenge, and artificial insemination alone will not be a comprehensive enough treatment for your specific circumstances.
This is why all fertility treatments – including artificial insemination – start with an initial consultation with your fertility specialist.
At Medfem Fertility Clinic, you and your partner’s first consultation with one of our highly qualified and experienced fertility specialists will entail a review of your medical history and previous tests, a comprehensive infertility work up including a physical exam, and in-depth explanations and answers to all your questions.
This is because an accurate diagnosis of the exact cause of your infertility is crucial to your success in achieving a pregnancy, as this is the only way to ensure that the most effective treatment plan is created based on your unique circumstances. The objective is to develop with you a personalised fertility treatment plan designed to help you fall pregnant as quickly as possible.
Conditions treated with artificial insemination
Artificial insemination one of many is a specialist technique among a range of possible options used to address a variety of fertility issues affecting both male and female partners, such as vaginismus; ovulation problems; mucus hostility; mild endometriosis; low sperm count; and ejaculation problems, including retrograde ejaculation.
Many of the fertility issues mentioned above could possibly also be treated using fertility treatments other than artificial insemination. The only way to know whether artificial insemination is best and only treatment you require, is for a qualified and experienced fertility specialist to accurately determine the cause of your infertility challenges as a couple and to provide the options regarding the most effective treatment given your unique circumstances.
The procedures involved in artificial insemination
Similarly, the specific artificial insemination procedures required in terms of your personalised treatment protocol will also depend on your unique, individualised treatment requirements.
Understanding the procedures involved in artificial insemination will help clarify the costs of this specific treatment technique.
During the artificial insemination procedure, warned and washed sperm are introduced into the woman’s uterus through a thin flexible plastic tube which is passed through the cervix.
This is performed in two ways at Medfem Fertility Clinic: in a natural cycle without fertility drugs or in a stimulated cycle with fertility drugs. Should fertility medication be required, it will affect the cost of the treatment. The medications required will also vary from patient to patient, as will the costs.
Artificial insemination can also be performed with sperm from a male partner or from a sperm donor. Medfem Fertility Clinic has a large donor artificial insemination program. Whether donor sperm is used or not also influences the cost of the treatment.
The possibility of multiple artificial insemination treatment cycles
The cost of artificial insemination treatment is also affected by the possibility of multiple treatment cycles.
Success rates using the artificial insemination technique vary. In general, a healthy woman under the age of 35 can expect a pregnancy rate of between 9% and 15% per cycle – however, this depends on the woman’s age and egg quality and whether her tubes are healthy, as well as on whether the male partner’s sperm count is within normal limits. It is common for a woman to undertake multiple inseminations.
Fertility specialists might try three cycles of artificial insemination, and if these are not successful, recommend more advanced fertility treatments.
Will my medical aid cover the cost of artificial insemination?
Most open medical aids in South Africa do not cover fertility treatments, such as artificial insemination. However, your medical aid may pay for some of the costs, or for treatment of other issues related to infertility, such as treatments for endometriosis, the removal of cysts and surgery to fix blocked fallopian tubes. Some medical aids do offer – subject to certain limits – fertility treatments on selected plans.
The best way to find out if your medical aid will cover the costs of artificial insemination is to request your medical aid to confirm in writing which costs related to the treatments required will be covered.
Is there finance available for the cost of artificial insemination?
Where fertility treatments like artificial insemination are not covered by your medical aid or if you don’t have medical aid, you can access finance for fertility treatment, made available by private sector companies. Your fertility specialist will be able to provide advice.
How much will my artificial insemination cost?
At Medfem Fertility Clinic, your fertility specialist will help you with an accurate diagnosis, made after thorough fertility testing as a couple. This means that only the fertility treatments that will give you the best chance of a pregnancy will be provided.
Your Medfem fertility specialist will also explain the various treatment options and detail the costs so you fully understand the funding you require, and our team will also assist you in understanding the medical aid and medical finance options that are available.
At Medfem we believe in helping you reach your family dream through:
If you would like to meet one of our fertility specialists at Medfem Fertility Clinic, simply click here to book an initial consultation or contact us telephonically on +27 (11) 463 2244.
Our Fertility Specialists can also meet with You During a Virtual Consultation Via Zoom or Skype. Click here to book a virtual consultation now.
We look forward to meeting you at Medfem Fertility Clinic!