Artificial Insemination

The criteria for artificial insemination on the NHS vary throughout England. Check with your GP or local clinical commissioning group (CCG) to find out what the rules are where you live.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recommends that up to six cycles of IUI treatment on the NHS may be offered if:

• you're unable (or would find it very difficult) to have vaginal sexfor example, because of a physical disability or psychosexual problem
• you have a condition (such as a viral infection that can be sexually transmitted) that means you need specific help to conceive
• you're in a same-sex relationship and you have afertility problem (youmay need to pay for private treatment to confirm there's a problem before you can have NHS treatment theStonewall website hasmore about artificial insemination for same-sex couples )

If six cycles of treatment don't work, you may sometimes be able to have a further six cycles before in vitro fertilisation (IVF) is considered.

Availability

The availability of artificial insemination on the NHS varies throughout the UK. In some areas, the waiting list for treatment can be very long. The criteria that must be met to be eligible for treatment can also vary.

IUI is also available from some private fertility clinics. Costs vary, but usually range from around 500 to 1,000 for each cycle of treatment.