IUI Success Rates

Intrauterine insemination (IUI) is an assisted reproductive technology (ART) therapy that allows people who are facing challenges with fertility to have children. In this procedure, prepared sperm are inserted into the uterus during the ovulation window to increase the likelihood of a pregnancy.

One of the positive factors that lead people to use IUI is that it is not as expensive as other ART treatments like in vitro fertilization. So let us get a better perspective of what IUI is, as we highlight some ways you can increase the likelihood of conceiving through IUI.

What Is IUI?

Another way of referring to IUI is artificial insemination. It is perhaps the oldest form of assisted reproductive technology going back hundreds of years. With both the improvement of technologies, the process has become more sophisticated. 

Who Can Benefit from IUI?

People who are struggling to conceive can benefit from IUI. A research by University of Pennsylvania, showed that IUI can be effective in situations where:

• A person wants to use donor sperm to conceive
• Individuals who have semen parameters that show signs of subfertility i.e. low sperm count and/or motility
• The male partner has difficulties in achieving an erection or ejaculating
• The female partner has scar tissue on their cervix
• The female partner has challenges affecting their cervix or cervical mucus

What Is the IUI Process?

There are four major steps involved in IUI treatments, but they are pretty straightforward:

Testing

First the female partner will have to do some tests to determine if the uterus and fallopian tubes are healthy. Then, a consultation which will determine if IUI is the best option for the patient will be conducted. Your doctor will then schedule you for the best time to start the treatments. 

Medication

IUI typically relies on the natural ovulation cycle, and therefore medication will be prescribed for the female partner in order to stimulate ovulation. 

Sperm Sample

The sperm sample that will be used will be purified in a process known as a sperm wash. This procedure removes non-sperm compounds and low-viability sperm from the semen and leaves sperm that have the best chance of producing a successful pregnancy.

Insemination

Once the egg becomes viable, the sperm is then inserted into the uterus using a speculum and a small catheter. This typically takes just a few minutes and is generally a pain-free procedure. Afterward, a person may have mild cramping or spotting for a day or so, but this is normal and resolves on its own.

What Does IUI Cost?

One treatment cycle cost between $300 and $4,000. It covers the costs of consultation, testing, monitoring, as well as one insemination procedure. Sometimes one round of IUI is not enough to result in a pregnancy, and it is not uncommon for couples and individuals to try additional rounds.

What Influences the Success of IUI?

Several factors such as ovarian stimulation, timing of the procedure and age, play a part in the success rate of IUI. One can only know if the treatment was successful based on a positive pregnancy test which is taken typically within two weeks following IUI.

Age

There is a connection between the age of patients undergoing IUI treatment and the likelihood of successful pregnancy. The higher likelihoods of pregnancy have been found in patients who are under the age of 25 with donors under the age of 30. However, as age increased into the mid to late 30s, the chances of conception steadily, gradually decreased.

Ovarian Stimulation

Ovarian stimulation protocols have been seen to increase the likelihood of IUI cycle success. In fact, ovary stimulation has been observed to make IUI treatments almost twice as effective than when a person or couple depend on the natural ovulation cycle.

Timing

The endometrium needs to be at a particular thickness at the time of implantation. This increases the chances of a successful pregnancy as was discovered in a 2021 fertility study.

Treatment Frequency

Typically, an IUI treatment is one procedure, but sometimes a second treatment may be done during the same ovulation cycle. This is done to increase the chances of conception, and is commonly known as a double IUI. 

A review of several clinical trials comparing single and double IUIs found that double IUI cycles increased the likelihood of pregnancy, but did not affect the outcomes of live births or miscarriages. 

Bottom Line

IUI is a safe and affordable procedure for people facing fertility challenges, or who wish to use donated sperm to conceive. It is also reliable in that it has a long history of success. It is crucial to work closely with a healthcare provider in order to determine the best treatment plan for you. 

If you do want to learn more about IUI and other fertility treatments reach out to Reproductive Partners Medical Group, a trustworthy, reliable, and compassionate partner on your family-building journey.