Intrauterine insemination (IUI) is a fertility treatment where sperm is placed directly into the uterus to increase the chances of conception.
This procedure is often used for couples facing challenges such as low sperm count or unexplained infertility, offering a less invasive option compared to more complex treatments.
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Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) is a treatment for infertility in which sperm are washed, processed, and concentrated prior to placement in the uterus.
IUI may be an appropriate first-line treatment for mild male factor infertility, unexplained infertility, cervical factors, or those planning to conceive using donor sperm. At HRC Fertility, we offer world-class care with personalized treatment plans that address the unique needs of each patient. With over 35 years of experience in reproductive medicine, we combine the latest technology with compassionate, patient-centered care to help make your dream of parenthood a reality.
Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) is a popular and effective fertility treatment that involves placing sperm directly into the uterus. This is typically done around the time of ovulation to increase the chances of fertilization. In cases of infertility caused by mild male or unexplained infertility, IUI can be an excellent first-step treatment.
The sperm is washed and concentrated to remove any impurities before being injected into the uterus, bringing it closer to the fallopian tubes where fertilization occurs. IUI can be performed with or without fertility drugs and is commonly paired with ovulation induction treatments like clomiphene citrate (Clomid), letrozole, and FSH (Follicle-Stimulating Hormone) to stimulate the production of multiple eggs.
The IUI procedure is minimally invasive and typically takes place in the office. Here’s what you can expect:
Before the IUI, we monitor the timing of ovulation through blood tests and ultrasounds. This ensures the procedure is timed perfectly with your ovulation cycle.
Sperm is washed and processed in the lab to remove seminal fluid, white blood cells, and immotile sperm, and concentrate the healthiest sperm.
A catheter is used to place the prepared sperm directly into the uterus. The procedure is quick, taking only 15-20 minutes, and requires no anesthesia.
You may be asked to rest briefly before returning to your normal routine.
IUI is planned around the time of ovulation. Once a woman’s follicles mature, an injection of hCG is given to stimulate ovulation, which occurs approximately 36 hours after the injection.
IUI is often one of the first treatment choices in cases of mild male infertility. Often, the sperm can be concentrated enough to make fertilization possible.
Oral medications such as Clomid and letrozole, or injectable medications such as Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) (Gonal-F, Follistim) may be used in an IUI cycle to encourage the development of more than one egg. Use of these medications is dependent upon the cause(s) of the couple’s infertility, their treatment history, and many other factors. Patients undergoing fertility drug stimulation, also known as ovulation induction, are monitored through blood tests to measure hormone levels and transvaginal ultrasounds, which allow the physician to visualize the ovaries and follicles. IUI success rates using medication are usually higher than in non-medicated cycles due to increased egg production.
IUI using oral or injectable medications can result in multiple births. Our infertility specialists carefully monitor all IUI cycles and are trained to adjust medication dosages appropriately to minimize the risk of multiple births. Sometimes, an IUI cycle may be canceled or converted to an IVF cycle if the risk of multiple births is too great. It is unusual for a high order of multiples to result from IVF because the physician controls the number of embryos transferred to the uterus.
IUI is a non-surgical, minimally invasive procedure that doesn't require anesthesia or recovery time, making it a comfortable and accessible treatment for many couples.
IUI increases the chance that the sperm and egg will meet by maximizing the number of moving sperm that reach the uterus. By placing sperm directly in the uterus, IUI increases the chances of sperm reaching the egg.
IUI is often one of the most affordable fertility treatments, making it an ideal first step for couples before considering more invasive treatments like IVF.
When combined with medications like clomiphene citrate (Clomid), letrozole, or injectable gonadotropins, IUI increases the chances of success by encouraging the development of multiple eggs, enhancing the likelihood of fertilization.
For couples who may eventually need IVF, IUI offers a less invasive, less expensive option before exploring more advanced fertility treatments.
IUI is a great option for many couples dealing with infertility. Here’s who may benefit from this treatment:
IUI is not recommended if there are severe male infertility issues (like very low sperm count) or if there are significant reproductive tract abnormalities. If the cause of infertility is suspected to be the quality of the cervical mucus or an inability of the sperm to move toward the egg quickly enough, intrauterine insemination can be attempted. By passing the cervix, sperm is deposited directly into the uterus, where they swim toward the fallopian tubes.
The IUI procedure itself typically takes about 5-10 minutes, and there is no downtime required. Most women return to their normal activities immediately afterward.
No, IUI is a non-invasive procedure that does not require anesthesia. It is performed in-office and usually causes little to no discomfort.
Success rates for IUI vary depending on factors like the woman’s age, the cause of infertility, and whether fertility drugs are used. Generally, the success rate is higher when combined with ovulation-inducing medications.
While IUI with fertility drugs can increase the likelihood of multiple pregnancies, our infertility specialists carefully monitor each cycle to minimize this risk.
A pregnancy test can be taken about two weeks after the IUI procedure to determine if it was successful.
Typically, we recommend 3-4 cycles of IUI before moving on to IVF, depending on your individual situation and response to treatment.
