By combining artificial insemination with fertility drugs and implementing it during a woman's most fertile time, it has a 20 percent chance of working. For the procedure to be most effective, the woman monitors her menstrual cycle, and the man produces sperm at the right time. The sperm is then washed in a laboratory and placed on a woman's cervix or uterus.

On the Other: In Vitro Fertilization is Superior

Since the 1990s, pregnancy rates have not increased for artificial insemination procedures, whereas pregnancies resulting in a live birth using IVF increase each year. Couples who used to try artificial insemination three to six times before trying IVF now try IVF after only two or three failed artificial insemination tries.

Bottom Line

When infertility in couples is because of low sperm count or poor sperm mobility, artificial insemination is a good choice. This procedure is less invasive than in vitro fertilization and it costs less. As of 2009, the cost of artificial insemination is between $300 and $700 for each treatment; however, other costs such as monitoring, ultrasounds and fertility drugs increase the cost to $2,000 to $4,500. At some point, IVF may be more cost effective, depending on how many artificial insemination attempts are made. As of 2009, the cost for IVF is around $12,000.

Source:

InfertilityInfoCenter.com; Artificial Insemination

Advanced Fertility Center of Chicago

DocShop.com; In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)