From baffling acronyms (for example ICSI, FET, PGT-A) to confusing stats surrounding success rates, the world of IVF treatment can appear bewildering to the uninitiated. But when it comes to private IVF, nothing is more likely to cause confusion than the financial side of the process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
IVF (in vitro fertilization) can come with a hefty price tag attached, with the costs often running into many thousands of pounds \u2013 all for a treatment where the results are far from guaranteed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
With NHS<\/a> funding proven to be a real postcode lottery, many patients are forced to fork out for their own treatment. But how much should you expect to pay for a private cycle of IVF in the UK?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here we will break down private IVF costs to help give you, and your bank balance, an idea of what to expect. These figures are based on extensive research by the Fertility Road team and are accurate as of May 2023.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The IVF cost in the UK ranges from anywhere between:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Please note the egg donation cost in the UK<\/a> is a different cost range and we’re discussing that in-depth in another article.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Du er m\u00e5ske interesseret i at l\u00e6se: Best IVF Clinics in the UK – Guide<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Just in case you haven\u2019t realised already, IVF is an expensive treatment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n While many fertility clinics offer fixed-price IVF packages, which include most of what you need for one cycle of treatment, the final cost is often much higher. Many of these packages don\u2019t include the cost of essential medication, which could potentially add hundreds, or even thousands, of pounds to the bill. Clinics may also offer optional \u2018add-ons\u2019 which can push the price up even further, depending on which ones you opt for. So bear in mind that a clinic\u2019s IVF package does not always reflect the final price you will pay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n IVF is a great treatment that offers a lifeline to couples who are struggling to conceive, as well as providing same-sex couples and single women with the chance to start a family. But unfortunately, IVF comes with no guarantee of success and patients often need more than one cycle of treatment to fall pregnant. This is something that IVF patients aren\u2019t always aware of at the start of their treatment journey and can lead to false hope and heartbreak when the first cycle doesn\u2019t deliver the expected results.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to the latest figures from UK fertility regulator the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA<\/a>), in 2019, just 32 percent of IVF treatments resulted in a live birth for women aged under 35. This means it takes on average three cycles of IVF to achieve success. This percentage decreases with age, standing at 25% for women aged 35 to 37; 19% for women aged 38 to 39; 11% for women aged 40 to 42; 5% for women aged 43 to 44; and 4% for women aged over 44.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Therefore it is highly likely that you will need more than one cycle of IVF, so you should factor this in before you start treatment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Some fertility clinics offer IVF refund programmes<\/a>, which offer a refund of up to 100% on your treatment if you do not have a baby within a specified time frame or within a set number of cycles. However, make sure you check the eligibility before signing up as this can vary from clinic to clinic. For example, some places do not offer refunds for patients who are aged over 39 or had IVF treatment using donor eggs. So check the fine print thoroughly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n During our research, we discovered some fertility clinics offering discounts to NHS staff and serving police officers, so depending on your profession, it may be worth enquiring about any potential discounts before agreeing to treatment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Du er m\u00e5ske interesseret i at l\u00e6se: IVF on NHS in the UK \u2013 Who is eligible?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n IVF treatment is tightly regulated, with laws on practice standards, consent and licensing followed by all the 103 fertility clinics currently operating in the UK. But there is one area of IVF which is not subject to the same stringent controls \u2013 pricing. Clinics are free to set their own prices for IVF treatment. This means the cost can vary hugely from clinic to clinic and region to region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The HFEA says: <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cFertility clinics in the UK are free to set their own costs, just like any other private healthcare provider. This means that the same treatment could be two or even three times more expensive depending on which clinic you choose. We strongly recommend you shop around before committing to a clinic and consider a wide range of factors when making your final decision.\u201d<\/p>\nHuman Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA)<\/a><\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n Here we will look at the steps involved in IVF treatment and what you can expect at each stage of the process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n All IVF-behandling<\/a> starts in the same way \u2013 with an initial consultation with a doctor which can set you back anywhere upwards of \u00a3200. The clinic may want to carry out further investigations, such as an ultrasound scan or semen analysis, which will add a potential \u00a3150 \u2013 \u00a3400-plus each on to this stage of the process. Even a simple diagnostic blood test can cost \u00a3100 upwards. Any follow-up consultations, in person, over the phone or over Zoom\/Skype, can cost a further \u00a3100-\u00a3180 a go. You may also be offered a counselling session for anywhere between \u00a370 and \u00a3100-plus, although some clinics offer one or more free sessions to patients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As an additional note, if an IVF clinic does not offer counselling, then it is breaking the law. If the clinic does offer counselling for a fee, this should be made clear from the outset, including the amount you can expect to pay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Once you have been through the initial consultation process, you will need medication to suppress your natural Once you have been through the initial consultation process, you will need medication to suppress your natural menstrual cycle before starting on a follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) to increase the number of eggs your ovaries produce<\/p>\n\n\n\n The cost of these drugs can run into hundreds or even thousands of pounds and this is not usually included in a standard IVF package. <\/strong>You\u2019ll be monitored closely through this stage of the process, with vaginal ultrasound scans, and sometimes you may need blood tests too. This advanced monitoring can cost \u00a3300 or more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Before your eggs are collected, you\u2019ll have an injection of a hormone called human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) that helps the eggs to mature ahead of the next stage \u2013 egg collection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And just a word of advice about medication costs. As there is no \u2018one-size-fits-all\u2019 when it comes to IVF, the costs of medication can vary wildly from patient to patient. Some clinics don\u2019t include these prices on their website, or instead, just vaguely refer to the costs as \u2018variable\u2019. Some clinics provide the full range. Medication costs are not always included in an IVF cycle, so you should bear this in mind before starting treatment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n At this stage of the procedure, a needle is passed through the vagina and into the ovaries to collect the eggs ready for treatment. This is carried out with the help of ultrasound guidance. Egg collection is usually included in the price of a basic IVF package. This invasive procedure is (thankfully!) carried out under sedation. This alone can cost upwards of \u00a3250, although we have found some clinics charging as much as \u00a3500.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Once collected, the eggs are mixed with your partner\u2019s, or donor\u2019s, sperm, and nature takes its course. Except sometimes nature needs a helping hand, so the consultant may decide that a process called intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) may be called for. Rather than letting the sperm find their own way to the egg, ICSI involves one single sperm being injected directly into the centre of the egg. This technique is usually employed when male infertility is a factor, for example, in the case of a low sperm count or poor sperm motility. Some clinics offer ICSI IVF packages, but other clinics list ICSI as another add-on, costing anywhere between \u00a3800 and \u00a31,400 a time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The fertilised eggs grow in the laboratory for up to six days. Some IVF packages include advanced embryology, such as time-lapse embryo monitoring, EmbryoGlue or blastocyst culture. Other clinics sell these as add-ons, costing anywhere between \u00a3100 and \u00a3900 (see our table below).<\/p>\n\n\n\n In the meantime, hormone medicines, such as a gel or pessary, are administered to prepare the womb lining for the incoming embryo \u2013 another expense that is not always included in treatment packages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n After weeks of drugs, scans and tests, transfer day has finally arrived, when the embryo is carefully placed in the womb using a catheter. After the transfer, you may be left with extra embryos which you will likely want to save for any future fertility treatment. It costs in the region of \u00a3600-\u00a31,250 to freeze your embryos, including one year\u2019s storage. Each subsequent year of storage can cost \u00a3300-\u00a3400-plus for up to ten years, which is the legal limit for storing frozen embryos in the UK. These stored embryos can be used in a Frozen Embryo Transfer (FET) at a later date. This is cheaper than IVF using \u2018fresh\u2019 eggs, with a FET costing anywhere between \u00a31,100 and \u00a33,000, depending on the clinic and what they include in their treatment package.<\/p>\n\n\n\n On average, you should expect to pay somewhere between \u00a34,000 and \u00a37,000 (excluding medications) for one fresh cycle of IVF. However, some IVF packages can cost as much as \u00a310,000 or more. Different packages contain different elements and treatment add-ons, for example, some may include embryo freezing and one year\u2019s storage, while other clinics will expect you to pay for this separately. So make sure you ask the clinic for a breakdown of costs so you know exactly what you are getting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n One popular add-on treatment is PGT-A, previously known as preimplantation genetic screening or PGS. This involves checking embryos for abnormalities in the number of chromosomes to discover which embryos have less chance of developing into a baby or may result in a baby being born with a genetic condition. This is done by removing a cell or cells from the embryo before freezing them and, if suitable, they can be used for a FET at a later date. A cycle with PGT-A included will be more expensive than your average IVF treatment package as this may also involve the cost of embryo freezing and a FET.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In terms of other costs and treatment add-ons, we\u2019ve carried out a comprehensive search of UK clinics and have included what you can expect to pay in our handy table below.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\nHow much does IVF cost in the UK?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Is IVF treatment in the UK expensive?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Breaking down IVF cost in the UK<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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IVF preparation cost<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Ovarian stimulation costs<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Egg retrieval costs<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Fertilisation and IVF laboratory costs<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Embryo transfer costs<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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