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Donor conception

For anyone with experience of sperm or egg donation to share support and advice. Please remember this board isn’t for debate about donor conception.

Original poster

Cost of donor egg medications

36 replies

Eiremogra · 05/04/2023 21:46

Hi all, my partner and I are traveling to Spain for donor egg treatment. We are examining our budgets and trying to get to grips with the costs of it all. Has anyone undergone donor treatment in Spain and could give me a rough estimate of the cost of medication (including a mock cycle)? All the assistant and consultant have said is that it is all very ‘individual’ so can’t give me a cost for it at this early stage. Frustrating!!! Any advice would really be appreciated 💰 xx

OP posts:
Midlifebaby · 07/04/2023 23:23

I can’t help on cost - im
just commenting to wish you the very best of luck. My little one is about to turn 3 and I haven’t regretted a single day…oh sorry that’s not true- I do regret not getting my head around DE sooner z. We had U.K. IVF and used access fertility, it was about £25k for 3 rounds x

PinkGold · 09/04/2023 10:32

I can't remember exactly but the medication was loads cheaper than own egg IVF.
I think the medication for the downreg injection was about £100 plus cost of getting private GP to administer it, the rest of the meds were more in line with pricy supplements really...then there were scans and private blood tests in the UK, to check hcg and progesterone, maybe £100 or £150. I think including scans, blood tests, hormones, and up progesterone supplementation until around week 12 (fingers crossed for you) under £1,000.

Original poster
Eiremogra · 11/04/2023 20:06

Thanks so much for the information @PinkGold @Midlifebaby ! It was all so vague and I was getting frustrated..not feeling in control. We’ve decided to go to Spain to get some testing done and are hoping to buy the meds whilst there,I’ve heard it’s much cheaper over there….now I’m worrying about the flight back and what documentation I’ll need to allow me to carry it all back to the UK. Another day,another dilemma!xx

OP posts:
ASGIRC · 14/04/2023 14:24

Im not in Spain, but in Portugal.
At IVI (which is Spanish, but theres a few in Portugal as well) I was quoted around 1k for medication for the donour, if I went through IVI, but if I bought it myself it would come to about 100 euros, give or take.

Francesmalin · 19/04/2023 22:46

@ASGIRC did you use IVI in Portugal? How did you find it? Sorry to ask but was wondering if you did so yo have an open donor? I am pondering UK and Portugal if I decide to go ahead with egg donation but finding information about clinic in Portugal is not straight forward. Thank you

ASGIRC · 20/04/2023 18:18

Francesmalin · 19/04/2023 22:46

@ASGIRC did you use IVI in Portugal? How did you find it? Sorry to ask but was wondering if you did so yo have an open donor? I am pondering UK and Portugal if I decide to go ahead with egg donation but finding information about clinic in Portugal is not straight forward. Thank you

I did use it as such, only went to the first consult.
Donor identity has been open in Portugal for a few years now. so if you do use donor eggs or sperm, when the child is 18 they can find out who their donors are

Francesmalin · 20/04/2023 19:50

Did you use another clinic or you didn't go ahead at all?

ASGIRC · 26/04/2023 22:51

Francesmalin · 20/04/2023 19:50

Did you use another clinic or you didn't go ahead at all?

I ahd to put it on hold, and am now pursuing it with a different clinic (much cheaper, but as well respected).
Just waiting to find out if they have embryos for me (Im adopting an embryo), and will be stopping the pill on thursday, as the doctor wants to make the transfer on a natural cycle!

PP82 · 13/05/2023 13:04

Hi there. Hope it's all going well for! Would you mind me asking what clinic you are using? We live in Spain but not far from the Portuguese border, and are considering DE IVF in Portugal due to it not being anonymous. But it's more difficult to find recommendations for Portuguese clinics, so any input would be much appreciated!

ASGIRC · 15/05/2023 01:48

PP82 · 13/05/2023 13:04

Hi there. Hope it's all going well for! Would you mind me asking what clinic you are using? We live in Spain but not far from the Portuguese border, and are considering DE IVF in Portugal due to it not being anonymous. But it's more difficult to find recommendations for Portuguese clinics, so any input would be much appreciated!

I am being followed in both IVI (which is Spanish) and Ginemed. I have decided to go with Ginemed for my treatment, as, for embryo adoption, they were much cheaper..

Both are really well recomended.

I dont think either have waiting lists for egg donors, unless you require a very specific genotype.

PP82 · 17/05/2023 14:08

ASGIRC · 15/05/2023 01:48

I am being followed in both IVI (which is Spanish) and Ginemed. I have decided to go with Ginemed for my treatment, as, for embryo adoption, they were much cheaper..

Both are really well recomended.

I dont think either have waiting lists for egg donors, unless you require a very specific genotype.

Show quote history

Thank you. I think Ginemed is Spanish too. Is that right? How have you found the communication, staff, facilities etc? Also been looking at AVA in Lisboa and Ferticentro in Coimbra. Did you look at or do you know anything about them? Sorry to ask so many questions, it's just so difficult to get info!

ASGIRC · 17/05/2023 14:12

PP82 · 17/05/2023 14:08

Thank you. I think Ginemed is Spanish too. Is that right? How have you found the communication, staff, facilities etc? Also been looking at AVA in Lisboa and Ferticentro in Coimbra. Did you look at or do you know anything about them? Sorry to ask so many questions, it's just so difficult to get info!

Show quote history

Im in Lisbon, so did not look at Ferticentro at all. But seems to have good reviews, from the people that live in the area (theres a portuguese "mumsnet" type board, where people with infertility post, and quite a few are in the Coimbra area).
I did look at AVA, but it didnt have anywhere near as many reviews as IVI or Ginemed, so I ended up not pursuing it further with them. It was cheaper, from what I remember! With IVI being the more expensive of them.

Ginemed might very well be Spanish. I havent looked into it!!

ASGIRC · 17/05/2023 14:15

As for communication, theyre pretty good, and that goes for both IVI and Ginemed.
The doctors I saw at both were also really nice. Facilities wise, I preferred Ginemed, it had a warmer feel, with sofas and cushions, as opposed to that doctors waiting room feel.

As I havent done my treatment yet, I cant comment on more. Ive literally just had 2 consultations at each clinic.
With Ginemed, the first one was a video consult, as I was out of the country! Also, the first consult is FREE! Ill only pay once I fully start the treatment!

Francesmalin · 17/05/2023 17:55

This is very helpful. Thank you @ASGIRC ! Do you know if they also do the donor research for you before you pay in full?

ASGIRC · 17/05/2023 18:05

Francesmalin · 17/05/2023 17:55

This is very helpful. Thank you @ASGIRC ! Do you know if they also do the donor research for you before you pay in full?

I dont know, no. Havent gotten that far, but I assume that would be a yes

Francesmalin · 29/05/2023 14:27

I have spoken to all the 4 clinics in Portugal (IVI, Ferticentro, Ava and Ginemed) and I think before making a decision we need to meet the doctor.
Ferticentro is a no go for me. I didn't like their approach and they can't be even bothered to arrange a phone call with me.
I liked Ginemed a lot and Ivi. Also AVA seems okay but it's more of a local clinic and they said most of the their donor are Portuguese. Ginemed mentioned they might have some Italian but they needed to check! So I think Ginemed e IVi have a more international pool.

@ASGIRC when do you start treatment?

ASGIRC · 29/05/2023 14:45

Francesmalin · 29/05/2023 14:27

I have spoken to all the 4 clinics in Portugal (IVI, Ferticentro, Ava and Ginemed) and I think before making a decision we need to meet the doctor.
Ferticentro is a no go for me. I didn't like their approach and they can't be even bothered to arrange a phone call with me.
I liked Ginemed a lot and Ivi. Also AVA seems okay but it's more of a local clinic and they said most of the their donor are Portuguese. Ginemed mentioned they might have some Italian but they needed to check! So I think Ginemed e IVi have a more international pool.

@ASGIRC when do you start treatment?

I am currently waiting for my period to come, after stopping the pill. If it goes well, it should come this week.
Then have to see if Ginemed have available embryos for me. If they dont, and dont have a reasonable timeframe, I will go to IVI to see if they have any.

The idea is to do it in the coming months!!!

ASGIRC · 30/05/2023 22:13

And, just like clockwork, my period has started! Lets see what Ginemed says about the embryos!

Francesmalin · 13/06/2023 09:48

@ASGIRC how is it going? Did you speak to Ginemed? I have a first consultation appointment with them this week. I find IVI a bit difficult to speak with. They just signed me up on their portal but I am not sure about their prices and how they work

ASGIRC · 13/06/2023 09:58

@Francesmalin yes, they have a 3AA embryo, from double donors, waiting for me! Gonna do my FET on my next cycle, so I'm think around mid July.
I had no issues with IVI, but they were more expensive than Ginemed, which is what, ultimately, made me choose them.

For embryo "adoption" IVI quoted me 3500 euros, while Ginemeds treatment was only 2500. It's a big difference (I believe these prices are with a 10% discount from a fertility association membership)

Francesmalin · 13/06/2023 10:33

I just spoke to IVI and they have 2 months waiting list for first consultation and then they need 3-6 months to match me with a donor! I think I'll enquire AVA and Ginemed for now and then take it from there. Yeah Ginemed is very cheap. One blasto guaranteed egg donation package is around 4.5k euro... Probs because they are fairly new?

ASGIRC · 24/06/2023 15:20

No idea what the reasoning is.
Also, their facilities are a lot more inviting.
IVIs waiting room is exactly the same as a GP waiting room.
The consultation rooms also.

Whereas Ginimeds waiting room has sofas, cushions, flowers... It is decorated, which makes it feel more inviting.

Im surprised at the IVI waiting time! Last year when I booked my first consultation, I managed to book it for not even 2 weeks later!

The donor matching timing must be because of all the genetic tests they do. They take a month or two to come back.

yodaandmedication · 25/09/2023 05:38

@ASGIRC @Francesmalin I know this thread is a little old but i wondered how you got on with Ginemed Portugal. I have my consultation today for ED treatment, having had all the tests done with IB Madrid. I am struggling to find much information about them but like the sound of them so far. Thank you and I hope you have had good luck!

Francesmalin · 25/09/2023 06:22

@yodaandmedication I highly recommend them. We have had very clear and fast Comms and we have been matched very quickly with a donor and now have Embryos crioconserved that are waiting to be transferred.

The only thing I didn't really like is that you can't get a lot of info about the donor so you really need to trust the process

ASGIRC · 25/09/2023 12:08

@yodaandmedication I did my transfer in July and am currently 12 weeks pregnant, so huge success for me!

I also got zero info about the donors. Just that they had brown eyes and hair (which I have), and the age of the egg donor.
Since they do all sorts of genetic tests (about 500 markers!!), you dont get medical history, as they would have been discarded if there was anything there, even to the extent of cancer in the family (I asked about this!)
However, they also said that if something comes up with the child, you can write to the clinic to have then enquire with the donors, to check if it is something they might have.

My whole treatment (donor embryo) cost 2435 euros, and included the scans before the transfer, the transfer, the beta blood test and a viability scan! This was with a 10% discount from an Infertility association in Portugal (35 euros a year!), but without the discount it would have been 2695 euros.
Obviously, you have to pay for the medication yourself, which in my case wasnt too much. I think I paid, in total, maybe another 200 worth of all medication and blood tests, before and after the transfer (only just stopped the progesterone pessaries)