IUI Chances of Success

When you’re trying to conceive, every negative pregnancy test can be discouraging. While some couples can get pregnant on the very first try, many more take months or even years to start their family. Studies show that between 7 and 17 percent of couples in the United States struggle with conception. 

Your chances of conception are influenced by many factors. Nevertheless, advances in modern medicine have made it possible for those struggling with infertility to start their families through assisted reproductive technology like intra uterine insemination or IUI. But how successful is this fertility treatment?

Key Takeaways

• Intrauterine insemination is the process of inserting prepared sperm directly into the uterus to support a successful pregnancy.
• The IUI process is less invasive and more affordable than in vitro fertilization.
• IUI can be a viable route to a healthy pregnancy for couples or individuals who have struggled with infertility.

What Is IUI?

Intrauterine insemination (IUI), also known as artificial insemination or donor insemination, is a fertility treatment where sperm is directly inserted into the uterus. This is to increase the chances of healthy sperm reaching an egg, which can result in successful fertilization. This process is timed with ovulation. 

Besides those struggling with infertility, people opt for an IUI for a variety of reasons. This treatment has become an option for lesbian couples seeking to conceive as well as single women choosing to start a family.

According to the University of Pennsylvania, IUI works best for:

• Males struggling to achieve an erection
• Males struggling with ejaculation
• Males with low sperm count
• Males with low sperm motility
• Females suffering from cervical issues such as little cervical mucus
• Females with scar tissue 
• Couples looking to use a donor sperm or surrogate to get pregnant

What Happens During an IUI?

When a man ejaculates in the vagina, sperm travels from the vagina through the cervix, into the uterus, and to the fallopian tubes where it will meet an egg for fertilization. Even when done naturally, only 5% of the sperm travel from your vagina to meet an egg and fertilize it. 

During artificial insemination or IUI, this process is duplicated and the sperm is inserted into a vagina to facilitate conception and pregnancy. Before the process begins, your healthcare professional or fertility clinic like Ivy Fertility will take you through some tests to check conduct tests to check your and your partner’s reproductive health. This will help them know if artificial insemination is the way to go. 

IUI Process

The full IUI process can take approximately four weeks. It includes the following stages. 

• Ovarian stimulation: Ovarian stimulation is the first step and is done 2-4 days into the woman's cycle. The woman is given fertility medication to facilitate egg development. 
• Triggering ovulation: Ovulation is triggered using medication, usually on day 13. This is to ensure the insemination is done on the day closest to ovulation.
• Sperm preparation: Sperm has to be “washed” to ensure only the viable sperm are inseminated. Before this, an analysis of the semen is done to evaluate sperm morphology, motility, and count. 
• Insemination: Here, the prepared sperm is put into a catheter and the vagina and cervix are also cleaned. The sperm is placed in the vagina and cervix and once all of it is deposited, the catheter is removed. 

An IUI is a simple procedure that takes around 5-10 minutes. After, you will be required to remain lying down for just a bit longer before sitting up and getting dressed. Some light spotting and mild cramping is common for a day or two following an IUI. 

Couples can opt to either go to a clinic or choose to do the insemination at home using an insemination kit. At-home IUI should be done immediately before, during, or immediately after ovulation (a span of two to three days). Even at home, the process is the same. The only difference is the location and the sperm doesn’t have to be “washed”. 

How much does IUI cost?

Besides being emotionally taxing, fertility treatment can be expensive and time-consuming. In some cases, it can take more than one cycle of treatment to achieve a successful pregnancy. With this in mind, an IUI treatment cycle can range from $300 to $4,000. This cost caters for doctor’s consultations, tests, sperm donors (if needed), and monitoring. For couples doing it at home, an insemination kit can cost somewhere between $50 and $100. 

Still, IUI is cheaper than IVF, which can cost up to $20,000 in one round, making it easier to do additional rounds. 

How Successful is IUI?

The IUI process involves careful planning, from ovarian stimulation to triggering ovulation, sperm preparation, and the insemination procedure itself. Success rates for IUI vary based on factors like age and underlying fertility issues, highlighting the importance of personalized treatment plans. Various factors can affect the success rate of an IUI treatment. 

Age

The older you grow, the more fertility declines. Studies have shown that successful pregnancy rates are higher when the age of both birthing partners is low, particularly in female patients under the age of 25 and male donors under the age of 30. 

Ovulation

The IUI process must be timed with ovulation for it to be successful. This means that ovarian stimulation has to be done. According to a 2021 study on factors affecting the chances of a successful IUI, ovarian stimulation increases the chances of success twice as much as when using the natural ovulation cycle.

Endometrial Thickness

Endometrial thickness affects the chances of a successful IUI cycle. The endometrium is the inner lining of the uterus, which is shed during a menstrual cycle and increases in thickness as the menstrual cycle progresses, especially between days 5–14. IUI patients whose endometrium had a certain thickness saw statistically significant improvements in pregnancy rates compared to other participants in the study.

Treatment Frequency

IUI may require one to go through more than one round or cycle. The more rounds one does the higher the success rate. Some clinics perform a double IUI to increase the chances of success. A double IUI is a second procedure done during the same ovulation cycle that can increase the likelihood of a successful pregnancy. 

Though relatively new, a review of nine clinical trials found the likelihood of pregnancy following a double IUI cycle increased, but saw no significant difference in the live birth and miscarriage rates.  

Bottom Line

IUI has been used in different ways for hundreds of years. Over the years, the process has evolved to make it easier for couples. Recently, it has gained more popularity as a fertility treatment option for couples struggling to conceive. It is considered safe, cost-effective, and typically involves minimal discomfort. It can be done in a clinic or the comfort of your own home. Nevertheless, as with any significant medical intervention, couples need to work with their healthcare provider to identify the most suitable approach tailored to their specific needs.