Treatments with own gametes

In vitro fertilization, also known as IVF, is an advanced fertility treatment that helps people conceive.

1. Ovarian Stimulation: The ovaries are stimulated with hormonal medication to produce multiple follicles.
2. Egg Retrieval: When the follicles are fully mature, the eggs are removed by suction with special equipment in an operating room. They are counted and placed in an incubator.
3. Semen Analysis: On the same day as the egg retrieval, a semen sample needs to be provided if donor sperm is not being used. The sample is processed in the lab, and the sperm are cleaned and stored until fertilization later that day.
4. Fertilization: The eggs are fertilized with sperm in the lab. This can be done through conventional fertilization, where sperm and eggs are mixed together, or through intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), where a single sperm is injected into each mature egg.
5. Embryo Culturing: The fertilized eggs (embryos) are cultured for up to six days.
6. Embryo Transfer: An embryo is placed in the uterus on culture day two, three, or five. The embryos that are not transferred and meet certain criteria can be frozen and possibly used later. The fee for embryo freezing is ISK 54,000, which is added on top of the treatment fee, and includes storage for one year.
7. Pregnancy Test: Approximately two weeks after the transfer, it will be determined if pregnancy has occurred.

Price: ISK 585.000,-

Artificial insemination involves placing sperm in the uterus during ovulation. The sperm is injected into the uterus through a thin catheter threaded through the cervix. Either partner’s sperm or donor sperm can be used.

Ovulation usually occurs monthly, about two weeks before menstruation. Ovulation can be measured with special ovulation tests. If the menstrual cycle is irregular, medication may be needed to stimulate ovulation.

Artificial insemination (natural cycle)
Price: ISK 85,000.

Artificial insemination (controlled cycle)
Price: ISK 195,000.

The transfer of frozen embryos can either be done in a natural cycle or after administering hormonal medication to prepare the uterus.

When the transfer is done in a natural cycle, it is timed to occur five days after ovulation. Ovulation can be assessed using ovulation tests or ultrasound.

When the transfer is done after administering hormonal medication, the natural cycle is mimicked by first administering estrogen, then adding progesterone, and then transferring the embryo when the conditions in the uterus are optimal.

The best method is assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Price: ISK 259,000.