So you've been told IUI is the next step. Your doctor made it sound fairly straightforward — simpler than IVF, much cheaper, worth trying. And you want to know what "much cheaper" actually means in rupees.

The short answer: one IUI cycle costs somewhere between ₹15,000 and ₹40,000 in most Indian cities, depending on whether you go stimulated or natural, which city you're in, and which clinic. But that range is misleading if you don't know what's included and what isn't.

This guide breaks down every cost component, city by city, so you know exactly what to budget before you walk into that first appointment.

What You're Actually Paying For

IUI is not a single thing. It's a sequence of steps, and each one has a price tag.

Consultation and workup — Before your first IUI, most clinics require at least a basic fertility workup. This includes baseline blood tests (FSH, LH, AMH, TSH), semen analysis for your partner, a hysterosalpingography (HSG) to confirm your tubes are open, and sometimes a pelvic ultrasound. If you've already done some of these tests, you may not need to repeat them. But if you haven't, budget ₹8,000–20,000 for the workup alone.

Consultation fee — First-time consultations at good fertility clinics in metro cities run ₹800–2,500. Follow-up visits (and you'll have 2–4 of them per IUI cycle for monitoring) are ₹400–1,200 each. Some clinics bundle monitoring into the IUI package price. Many don't.

Medications — This is the biggest variable. Natural-cycle IUI uses no medications at all — you rely on your natural ovulation. Stimulated IUI uses oral drugs (letrozole or clomiphene, typically 5 days) and sometimes low-dose injectable gonadotropins (Gonal-F, Fostimon, or Fertigyn) to produce 1–2 follicles. The difference:

  • Natural cycle: ₹0 in drugs
  • Oral stimulation (letrozole/clomiphene): ₹200–600 for the tablets
  • Low-dose injectable protocol: ₹3,000–18,000 depending on dose and duration

A trigger shot (hCG or recombinant LH like Ovitrelle) is needed in most stimulated protocols — ₹800–2,500 per shot.

Monitoring scans — 2–4 ultrasounds per cycle to track follicle growth. Each scan costs ₹500–1,200 at most clinics. Some include this in the package.

Sperm washing and preparation — The IUI procedure itself requires sperm to be processed (washed, concentrated) in the lab before insemination. This typically costs ₹2,000–4,000 and is usually included in the IUI procedure fee — but confirm this.

IUI procedure fee — The actual insemination, which takes about 10–15 minutes. Clinics charge ₹4,000–12,000 for this.

City-by-City Cost Breakdown

Mumbai

Mumbai has some of the most expensive fertility clinics in India, especially in South Mumbai, Bandra, and Andheri.

| Component | Budget Clinic | Mid-Range | Premium |

|---|---|---|---|

| IUI procedure + sperm wash | ₹6,000–8,000 | ₹10,000–15,000 | ₹18,000–25,000 |

| Monitoring (3 scans) | ₹1,500–2,500 | ₹2,500–4,000 | ₹4,000–6,000 |

| Medications (stimulated) | ₹3,000–8,000 | ₹5,000–12,000 | ₹8,000–18,000 |

| Total per cycle (stimulated) | ₹10,500–18,500 | ₹17,500–31,000 | ₹30,000–49,000 |

Natural-cycle IUI at a mid-range Mumbai clinic: approximately ₹10,000–16,000 all in.

Delhi NCR

Delhi and Gurgaon have a wide range — from government hospitals where IUI can be nearly free to boutique clinics in South Delhi that charge more than some Mumbai fertility centres.

| Component | Budget Clinic | Mid-Range | Premium |

|---|---|---|---|

| IUI procedure + sperm wash | ₹4,000–6,000 | ₹8,000–12,000 | ₹15,000–20,000 |

| Monitoring (3 scans) | ₹1,200–2,000 | ₹2,000–3,500 | ₹3,500–5,500 |

| Medications (stimulated) | ₹2,500–7,000 | ₹4,000–10,000 | ₹7,000–15,000 |

| Total per cycle (stimulated) | ₹7,700–15,000 | ₹14,000–25,500 | ₹25,500–40,500 |

Bangalore

Good fertility care in Bangalore tends to be slightly cheaper than Mumbai. Clinics in Indiranagar, Jayanagar, and Koramangala are popular.

| Component | Budget Clinic | Mid-Range | Premium |

|---|---|---|---|

| IUI procedure + sperm wash | ₹5,000–7,000 | ₹8,000–12,000 | ₹14,000–18,000 |

| Monitoring (3 scans) | ₹1,200–2,000 | ₹2,000–3,500 | ₹3,000–5,000 |

| Medications (stimulated) | ₹2,500–7,000 | ₹4,000–10,000 | ₹7,000–14,000 |

| Total per cycle (stimulated) | ₹8,700–16,000 | ₹14,000–25,500 | ₹24,000–37,000 |

Hyderabad

Hyderabad is competitive on price. Some of the biggest chains (like Nova and Oasis) have multiple branches here and offer more standardised pricing.

Typical stimulated IUI cycle in Hyderabad: ₹12,000–28,000

Chennai

Chennai has excellent fertility centres, particularly in Adyar, Anna Nagar, and OMR.

Typical stimulated IUI cycle in Chennai: ₹12,000–30,000

The Hidden Costs Nobody Mentions

Repeat cycles. IUI success rates per cycle range from 10–20% for stimulated IUI in good candidates (women under 35, no tubal issues, normal semen parameters). Most couples need 2–3 cycles before deciding whether to continue or move to IVF. Budget for at least 2 cycles when you're making your financial plan.

Failed cycle medications. If the cycle is cancelled (no follicle response, or premature ovulation), you've still paid for the monitoring scans and whatever medications you used. This happens in roughly 10–15% of stimulated IUI cycles.

Pre-IUI workup (if not done). If you're starting from scratch, add ₹10,000–25,000 for baseline investigations. AMH, antral follicle count, tube patency test — these aren't optional if you want IUI to have any chance of working.

Travel and time. If your clinic is far, you're going in 3–4 times per cycle. Add transport costs and time off work. This isn't small.

Progesterone support after IUI. Some doctors prescribe progesterone pessaries (Crinone, Cyclogest) after insemination for luteal support. That's another ₹1,500–4,000 per cycle.

IUI vs IVF — When the Cost Comparison Changes

IUI is cheaper per cycle. But it's not necessarily cheaper per pregnancy.

If your success rate per IUI cycle is 12% and you do 3 cycles at ₹20,000 each, you've spent ₹60,000 with a cumulative chance of roughly 30–33% pregnancy. If you then need IVF anyway, that ₹60,000 is effectively spent in addition to IVF costs.

For couples where IUI success rates are lower — women over 37, men with moderate sperm issues, unexplained infertility with failed clomiphene cycles — it's worth having an honest conversation with your doctor about whether 3 IUI cycles is truly the better financial and emotional path, or whether moving to IVF earlier makes more sense.

For a detailed breakdown of how to make this call, read our IUI vs IVF guide and complete IVF cost guide.

How to Get a Fair Price

A few things worth knowing:

Package deals often aren't deals. Some clinics offer "IUI packages" that bundle 3 cycles together. Scrutinise what's included. Many exclude medications, monitoring scans, and the initial workup — the three biggest cost centres.

Ask for itemised billing. Before you start, ask the clinic to give you a written estimate broken down by line item. Any reputable clinic will do this without making you feel difficult for asking.

Compare sperm wash costs separately. Sperm washing quality matters for IUI success. Some budget clinics cut corners here. It's one area where cheaper genuinely can mean worse outcomes.

Government hospitals are an option. AIIMS (Delhi), Seth GS Medical College (Mumbai), JIPMER (Puducherry), and major government medical colleges offer IUI at heavily subsidised rates. Waiting times are longer and the personal attention differs, but the medical quality is often good.

What to Budget: A Realistic Summary

If you're planning 2–3 stimulated IUI cycles in a mid-range clinic in a metro Indian city:

  • Workup (one-time): ₹10,000–20,000
  • Per cycle: ₹15,000–28,000
  • 2–3 cycles: ₹30,000–84,000
  • Total including workup: ₹40,000–1,00,000

That's a wide range. The honest number for most couples in Mumbai, Delhi, or Bangalore doing 2–3 stimulated IUI cycles with standard monitoring is somewhere between ₹50,000 and ₹75,000 in total.

If you then need IVF, see our IVF cost guide for what to expect at each stage.

FAQ

Is IUI covered by insurance in India?

Very few Indian health insurance policies cover IUI or any fertility treatment. Some corporate group policies have begun including basic fertility coverage, but it's uncommon. Check your specific policy documents — the exclusion is usually listed under "maternity and fertility treatment."

Is IUI painful?

Usually no. The insemination itself takes 5–10 minutes and feels similar to a pap smear — mild cramping during and sometimes for a few hours after. Most women go back to work the same day. The injections (if you're on stimulated protocol) are subcutaneous and manageable with practice.

How many IUI cycles should I try before IVF?

The standard recommendation is 3 stimulated IUI cycles before moving to IVF — but this assumes you're a good IUI candidate (open tubes, normal sperm count, under 35, no severe endometriosis). Your doctor should give you a personalised answer based on your specific profile. Some couples should go straight to IVF and skip IUI entirely.

Can IUI be done with donor sperm?

Yes. Donor sperm IUI is legal in India under the ART Act 2021. The cost is similar to partner IUI for the procedure itself; add the cost of certified donor sperm procurement (₹10,000–30,000 typically) from a licensed sperm bank.

What's the success rate for IUI in India?

For stimulated IUI in women under 35 with no significant tubal or severe male factor issues: approximately 15–20% per cycle live birth rate. This drops with age and with suboptimal sperm parameters. Over 3 cycles, cumulative success in good candidates is roughly 35–45%.

If you're still figuring out whether IUI is the right starting point for you, our IUI vs IVF guide breaks down exactly when IUI makes sense and when it doesn't.