How Much Is IVF If You’re a Same-Sex Couple in the UK?
Same-sex couples in the UK now have more fertility options than ever, but navigating the cost of IVF can still be complex. Whether you’re a lesbian couple using donor sperm, a male couple needing a surrogate and egg donor, or exploring shared motherhood, IVF prices vary greatly depending on your treatment path. Here’s a breakdown of what to expect.
Lesbian couples: IVF with donor sperm The most common route is intrauterine insemination (IUI), but many opt for IVF for higher success rates or to pursue reciprocal IVF (also called shared motherhood).
IVF with donor sperm:
- IVF treatment: £5,000 – £7,000
- Donor sperm: £800 – £1,300 per vial
- Medication: £1,000 – £2,000
- Total: ~£7,000 – £10,000 per cycle
Reciprocal IVF: This involves one partner providing the eggs and the other carrying the pregnancy. Costs are typically the same as standard IVF but may incur additional consultations and screenings.
- IVF treatment: £5,500 – £8,000
- Donor sperm: £800 – £1,300
- Screening for both partners: £300 – £500
- Medication: £1,000 – £2,000
- Total: ~£8,000 – £11,000
Male couples: IVF with surrogate and donor egg For male couples, IVF costs rise significantly due to the need for both an egg donor and a surrogate.
IVF with surrogacy:
- Egg donor compensation and treatment: £5,000 – £8,000
- IVF treatment: £5,000 – £8,000
- Surrogacy expenses (legal, support, etc.): £10,000 – £25,000+
- Medication and legal fees: £2,000 – £5,000
- Total: ~£20,000 – £40,000+
Note: Commercial surrogacy is illegal in the UK, but expenses can be reimbursed. Legal agreements and counselling are required for all parties.
Additional costs to consider:
- Fertility MOTs and STI screening
- Counselling (required for donor/surrogacy routes)
- Legal parenthood transfer (Parental Order)
- Embryo freezing and storage
NHS funding for same-sex couples NHS-funded fertility care is still a postcode lottery. Some local NHS trusts require same-sex couples to self-fund a set number of IUI or IVF attempts before qualifying for funding — whereas others offer limited or no support.
Real-life example: Chloe and Beth used reciprocal IVF with donor sperm. Their clinic offered a shared motherhood package for £9,800, which included screenings, treatment, sperm, and embryo freezing. They also paid £400 for legal advice.
IVF for same-sex couples in the UK is possible and increasingly accessible — but expect wide cost variation depending on the treatment path. Plan early, ask clinics for same-sex specific packages and always factor in legal and counselling requirements.
