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Quick Answer
Markham Fertility Centre is the only full-service fertility clinic physically located in Markham, Ontario, offering OFP-funded IUI with on-site procedures, monitoring, an andrology lab, and a dispensary all under one roof. Other clinics serve Markham patients through satellite monitoring or nearby locations, including Pollin Fertility (satellite monitoring at Markham Women’s Imaging Centre, procedures in Toronto), Generation Fertility (Vaughan and Newmarket), and DREAM Fertility (Oshawa, in partnership with MFC).
Why Location Matters for IUI
IUI is one of the most time-intensive fertility treatments in terms of clinic visits. A single cycle spans approximately three weeks and requires:
- 3 to 4 monitoring appointments for blood work and ultrasound during ovarian stimulation, typically scheduled between 7 and 9 a.m.
- 1 visit for sperm washing and insemination on the day of the procedure (plan for 2 to 3 hours at the clinic)
- 1 follow-up for a pregnancy blood test approximately two weeks later
Most patients undergo 3 to 5 IUI cycles before either conceiving or transitioning to IVF. That means potentially 15 to 25 early-morning clinic visits over several months. If your clinic is far from home or splits monitoring and procedures between locations, the logistics add up quickly in terms of travel, time off work, and stress.
A clinic that handles everything on-site in Markham simplifies this significantly.
Clinics Serving Markham Patients Compared
| Factor | Markham Fertility Centre | Pollin Fertility | Generation Fertility | DREAM Fertility (Oshawa) |
| Location | Markham (on-site) | Satellite monitoring in Markham; procedures in Toronto | Vaughan and Newmarket | Oshawa |
| IUI performed on-site | Yes | No (Toronto only) | Yes (Vaughan/Newmarket) | Yes (IUI on-site) |
| Full monitoring on-site | Yes | Monitoring only at Markham satellite | Yes | Yes |
| On-site andrology lab | Yes | No (Markham satellite) | Yes | Yes |
| On-site dispensary | Yes | No | No | No |
| OFP-funded IUI | Limited to 4 IUI per fiscal year | Does not offer OFP- funded IUI | Check with the clinic | Limited per fiscal year |
What Sets Each Clinic Apart
Markham Fertility Centre
The only full-service fertility clinic in Ontario located directly in Markham with everything under one roof.
- All IUI steps completed on-site: Consultation, monitoring, sperm washing, insemination, and follow-up all happen at the Markham location. No need to travel to Toronto for any part of the process.
- On-site andrology lab: Sperm samples are washed and prepared at the clinic, eliminating transport delays and ensuring fresh processing
- On-site dispensary: Fertility medications are available at the clinic, so patients can pick up prescriptions at their monitoring appointment
- Physician-performed IUI: Every insemination is performed by a reproductive endocrinologist, not a nurse or technician
- Five REI specialists (all-female, physician-owned practice) with expertise in unexplained infertility, PCOS, recurrent pregnancy loss, and reproductive immunology
- Health Canada-approved Donor and Surrogacy program with full support for donor sperm selection, ordering, and transport
- Inclusive 2SLGBTQIA+ family planning with a dedicated care pathway
- Additional locations in Barrie-Innisfil, Oshawa, Orillia, and Sudbury if you need monitoring closer to another area
- Sperm preparation fee: ~$725 per IUI cycle (procedure and monitoring funded by OFP)
- Seamless transition to IVF if needed: MFC offers IVF on-site with pain-free egg retrieval (anesthesiologist at every procedure), so you stay with the same physician and team if your treatment plan changes
- Established in 1990, over 12,000 families supported
Pollin Fertility (Markham Satellite)
Pollin offers satellite monitoring in Markham through a partnership with Markham Women’s Imaging Centre (39 Main St.), but all procedures are performed at their Toronto clinic.
- Local monitoring in Markham for blood work and ultrasounds during stimulation
- Procedures in Toronto: Insemination (and any future egg retrieval or transfer) requires travel to Pollin’s Toronto location
- Modern, wellness-oriented clinic design with comfort features (vein light technology, private changing rooms, custom app)
- In-house naturopathic care (360 Wellness) and mental health support
- OFP-funded IVF with no current waitlist, but no OFP-funded IUI available.
- One care team managing your plan across both locations
Key consideration: While monitoring is local, the IUI procedure itself is not performed in Markham. This means at least one trip to Toronto per cycle on insemination day.
Generation Fertility (Vaughan / Newmarket)
Generation Fertility does not have a Markham location, but their Vaughan and Newmarket clinics are the nearest full-service alternatives.
- Full IUI on-site at both Vaughan and Newmarket locations
- Part of The Fertility Partners network, Canada’s largest coast-to-coast network of fertility practices
- Transparent pricing published online with strong focus on patient education and financial counselling
- Four locations across Ontario (Toronto/Vaughan, Newmarket, Waterloo)
- Approximately 20 to 30 minutes from central Markham depending on traffic
DREAM Fertility (Whitby)
DREAM Fertility operates in Whitby and has a formal partnership with Markham Fertility Centre for advanced care.
- IUI performed on-site in Whitby
- OFP-funded IUI available but limited per fiscal year (first come, first served; once funding is exhausted, IUI costs $565 + $685 sperm processing)
- Patients who need IVF are referred to Markham Fertility Centre through the partnership
- Located in Whitby-Oshawa, approximately 30 to 40 minutes from central Markham
What to Expect During IUI
Regardless of which clinic you choose, the IUI process follows a standard framework:
- Initial consultation and diagnostics: Medical history, hormone blood work, semen analysis, and HSG to confirm fallopian tube patency (covered by OHIP)
- Ovarian stimulation (10 to 12 days): Oral medications (letrozole or Clomid) or injectable gonadotropins, with monitoring visits every 2 to 3 days
- Trigger shot: hCG injection to time ovulation, with insemination scheduled 24 to 36 hours later
- Sperm washing and insemination: Sample processed in the andrology lab (~2 hours), then deposited into the uterus via catheter. Takes minutes.
- Pregnancy test: Blood test approximately 14 days after insemination
Success rates range from 10 to 20% per cycle for patients under 35. Most physicians recommend 3 to 5 cycles before considering IVF.
IUI Cost for Markham Patients
Under the Ontario Fertility Program, IUI monitoring and the procedure are funded for eligible residents with no lifetime limit. Out-of-pocket costs remain regardless of which clinic you choose:
| Expense | Typical cost |
| Sperm preparation (washing) | $600 to $800 |
| Oral medications (letrozole, Clomid) | $20 to $50 |
| Injectable medications (if needed) | Up to $1,000 |
| Donor sperm (if applicable) | Purchased separately |
| Total per cycle | $700 to $2,000 |
Ontario’s Fertility Treatment Tax Credit (effective January 2025) covers 25% of eligible out-of-pocket expenses, up to $5,000/year.
FAQ
Is Markham Fertility Centre the only fertility clinic in Markham?
It is the only full-service fertility clinic physically located in Markham where IUI procedures are performed on-site. Pollin Fertility offers satellite monitoring in Markham but performs procedures in Toronto. Other clinics serve Markham patients from nearby cities.
How many IUI cycles are funded in Ontario?
There is no lifetime limit on funded IUI cycles through the Ontario Fertility Program. However, some clinics may limit the number of IUI’s per patient in order to give all patients an opportunity to access OFP-funded IUI. The procedure and monitoring are covered for eligible residents with a valid Ontario health card.
Can I do monitoring at one clinic and IUI at another?
Some clinics offer this split model (e.g., Pollin with Markham monitoring and Toronto procedures). However, having everything at one location simplifies logistics and avoids coordination between two sites.
What if IUI doesn’t work? Can I do IVF at the same clinic?
At Markham Fertility Centre, yes. MFC offers both IUI and IVF on-site, including pain-free egg retrieval with an anesthesiologist. You stay with the same physician and team throughout. At Pollin, IVF is available in Toronto. At DREAM Fertility, IVF patients are referred to MFC through the partnership but your Dream physician will continue to provide seamless care through the IVF process.
How do I get started with IUI in Markham?
Ask your family physician for a referral to an OFP-participating clinic. Once referred, the clinic will schedule your initial consultation and diagnostic testing, most of which is covered by OHIP.
