IVF Treatment Cost in India - Get Cost Estimate

What is IVF treatment Cost in India?

Although, Infertility is not a fatal medical condition, it brings lots of emotional trauma and distress. India has seen a remarkable rise in infertility cases in couples with prevalence of primary infertility being 16.8%. It may arise due to a plethora of factors such as unhealthy lifestyle, age-related problems or some genetic issues as well.

To treat the problem of infertility and help the couple conceive, IVF specialists perform various types of assisted reproductive technology (ART), one of them being In-vitro fertilisation (IVF).

The average cost of IVF treatment in India ranges between INR 2,50,000 and INR 4,00,000 for Indian patients. For international patients, the cost ranges between USD 4200 and USD 6500. This cost includes evaluation tests, doctor’s fees, medical consumables, and a hospital stay for 1-2 days.

In recent times, the demand of IVF in India has surged with more than 2,00,000 IVF procedures being performed annually.

What is IVF treatment?

The capacity to conceive and deliver a baby is referred to as fertility. Due to some genetic defects or physical issues, some couples are unable to conceive. In medical terms, when a couple is unable to give birth despite trying for a year without contraceptives, it can be referred to as infertility. 

This problem may arise in any of the couples, both male and female, and is usually associated with improper functioning of reproductive organs.

Infertility in females can arise due to the following complications.

• Uterine problems- Uterine polyps or fibroids inside the uterus
• Fallopian tube complication- Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) due to nfections like chlamydia and gonorrhoea, leading to inflammation.
• Problems with ovulation- Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
• Problems with egg count and quality

Infertility in males can arise due to the following complications

• Sperm count issue: Azoospermia and oligospermia
• Sperm morphology: Teratospermia
• Sperm motility issue: Asthenozoospermia
• Ejaculation disorder: Anejaculation and premature ejaculation

Some possible causes of infertility which is common to both male and female are 

• Hormonal imbalances
• Reproductive organ abnormalities
• Age-related decline in fertility
• Lifestyle factors such as obesity
• Genetic problems like cystic fibrosis, sickle cell disease, and thalassemia.
• Any sort of infections caused by STDs

Failure to conceive and inability to become parents can be frustrating. In-vitro fertilisation (IVF) provides a solution to this problem and is suggested for patients who can’t conceive naturally.

In-vitro refers to something happening outside the body. During IVF, sperm and ovum are retrieved from both the male and female, respectively. After this, they are allowed to fertilise under laboratory conditions. IVF involves controlled ovarian stimulation, monitored egg retrieval and then embryo transfer.

What are the Types of IVF treatment?

Since 1978, when IVF was first introduced in India successfully, various advances have been made in this technique to bring the best outcome for each patient and provide comprehensive care to them. 

Based on the approach, IVF treatments are of the following types:

1. Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI)

   • This technique is employed when there are male-factor infertility issues, such as oligospermia (low sperm count), asthenozoospermia (poor sperm motility), or teratospermia (abnormal sperm morphology).
   • In ICSI, using a fine needle, a single sperm is injected directly into an egg.
   • This method bypasses the natural fertilisation process and is particularly effective in cases where conventional IVF may not result in fertilisation.
   • This method is employed in 60% of the IVF procedures.

2. IVF with Donor Eggs

   • IVF with donor eggs is recommended for women who have poor egg quality, highly reduced ovarian reserve, females of more than 35 years, or other conditions that reduce the number of fertile eggs.
   • In this procedure, donor eggs are obtained from a healthy donor female after proper screening and evaluation.
   • Then, they are fertilised with the partner's or donor's sperm in the laboratory and monitored strictly.
   • The embryos, thus generated, are then transferred to the female's uterus.

3. IVF with Donor Sperm

   • IVF with donor sperm is advised for the couple when there are severe male infertility issues, such as the absence of sperm (azoospermia) or any genetic disorder that could be passed on through sperm.
   • Sperm from a healthy donor is collected to fertilise the woman's eggs already present in the laboratory.
   • This treatment allows couples to achieve pregnancy when the male partner's sperm is not viable for conception.

4. Frozen Embryo Transfer (FET)

   • In this IVF technique, cryopreserved embryos which have already been stored are used to create the embryo.
   • The frozen embryos can be thawed and transferred into the woman's uterus during a successive IVF cycle.
   • The process doesn't require ovarian stimulation and egg retrieval and helps to optimise the timing of the uterine implantation.

Based on the specific fertility diagnosis, medical history, and individual circumstances of the couple, the IVF procedure is decided and implemented which affects total IVF cost in India. Each procedure focuses on achieving a healthy pregnancy while addressing fertility issues.

What are the Key Factors That Affect the IVF Treatment Cost in India?

Being aware of the cost factors affecting IVF procedures helps the couple avoid financial strain or unexpected expenses. It allows them to plan ahead, explore cost-saving strategies, and manage the risk of financial instability resulting from medical bills or healthcare expenses. Some of the factors which significantly affect the cost of IVF treatment in India are as follows:

Type of IVF Procedure

The decision for couples to consider an IVF procedure is typically made when the natural conception method is difficult or impossible due to infertility issues affecting one or both partners. Advances in technology have led to the generation of various techniques to make this procedure successful. Doctors decide on the appropriate method based on the patient’s requirements, which impact the IVF price in India.

 Medication and hormonal treatment

When IVF procedure is performed, it is important to ensure that women produce viable eggs at specific times to ensure successful pregnancy. Some drugs are also administered to regulate and induce ovulation. Based on the individual needs, some patients may have to consider some hormonal medication which triggers the number of eggs to be produced during each cycle. These medications may impact the cost of IVF treatment in India.

Duration of embryo freezing and storage

In recent times, freezing techniques have been utilised to minimise the risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome. Freezing embryos also help preserve future fertility. Though some IVF laboratories provide discounts and packages if storage has to be done for a longer duration, it may incur additional costs to the IVF treatment procedure.

What are the Costs Associated with IVF Treatment before and After the Procedure?

Before starting the IVF procedure, the IVF specialists perform various screening tests to evaluate the reproductive health status of both male and female. Afterwards, the morphological structure and efficiency of male and female reproductive gametes are examined and plan the IVF procedure. After the procedure, 

• Pre-procedural examination cost (ovarian reserve testing, sperm analysis,hysterosalpingography, transvaginal ultrasound  anti-mullerian hormone test (AMH), semen assay, genetic testing of sperm and ovum etc.) INR 30,000 to INR 35,000 (USD 500 to USD 600)
• Post-procedural cost (health check-ups,follow-up consultations and medications): INR 3,000 to INR 4,000 (USD 50 to USD 100)

What should be aftercare for an IVF treatment procedure?

IVF is a profound experience that brings hope and uncertainty throughout the journey. Once the IVF procedure is over, it is crucial to take extra care. IVF procedure is not successful until the female delivers a healthy baby. To ensure the IVF procedure is effective, some care has to be taken by the couples which are as follows:

• Regular intake of medications and supplements (Vitamin B)
• Maintain healthy diet
• Avoid alcohol or consumption of toxic substances
• Avoid any chemical which could disrupt the endocrine gland. Examples of such chemicals include hexachlorobenzene (HCB), hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) and some phthalates and bisphenols etc.
• Refraining from sexual intercourse
• Avoid vigorous exercise involving pelvic movement

Does Insurance Cover IVF Treatment in India?

Considering that IVF is not a medical necessity, most of the health insurance plans in India don’t cover IVF treatment procedures. However, some maternity insurance plans may cover the procedure of IVF with some additional cost, since it covers all the expenses related to childbirth up to a specific period. Hence, some other insurance policies provide partial coverage for IVF treatment.

Thus, before proceeding with treatment, it is essential to ensure whether your policy covers IVF. 

Once your doctor has recommended IVF, it’s essential to check the policy's eligibility criteria. Understanding the coverage areas and limitations associated with the policy you’re considering is a key step in being prepared for the potential costs of IVF treatment.

If there are any discrepancies, you may need to cover the cost of IVF treatment yourself.