IUI Success Rates

Couples and individuals facing challenges with conceiving may find intrauterine insemination (IUI) to be a viable option. IUI is a form of assisted reproductive technology (ART) where sperm are inserted directly into the uterus to increase the chances of a successful pregnancy.

IUI is also considerably less expensive than other ART treatments such as in vitro fertilization. In this article, we hope to assist you in understanding IUI better, including factors that affect outcomes of IUI, as well as share tips on how you can increase your chances of conceiving through IUI.

What Is IUI?

IUI is also known as artificial insemination. It is a treatment for infertility whereby sperm are specially prepared in order to be inserted directly into the uterus. It is the earliest method of assisted reproductive technology and dates back hundreds of years.The first successful instance was recorded in 1793 in London, and with the improvement and sophistication of technologies, the process has been refined substantially.

Who Can Benefit from IUI?

Anyone struggling with infertility can benefit from this treatment. In some instances, IUI is the most ideal way to increase the chances of a successful pregnancy. A study on fertility treatments found that infertility affects between 7 and 17 percent of couples trying to conceive. 

According to research out of The University of Pennsylvania, IUI could be an effective option for:

• People wanting to use donor sperm to conceive
• Individuals with subfertile semen parameters,such as low sperm count and/or motility
• Persons who have difficulties achieving an erection or ejaculation
• People with scar tissue on their cervix
• Individuals having challenges of the cervix or cervical mucus

What Is the IUI Process?

IUI treatments tend to be straightforward:

Testing

Some basic tests are first conducted to evaluate the health of the uterus and fallopian tubes, followed by consultation to ensure that IUI is the best fertility treatment for the patient. From there, your healthcare provider will schedule the best time to begin IUI treatments. 

Medication

Medication to stimulate ovulation is prescribed, since IUI relies on an ovulation cycle. A sperm sample from the desired individual or a third-party donor will be acquired, depending on the patient’s treatment plan. 

Sperm Sample

The sperm undergoes a sperm wash, where non-sperm compounds from the semen, and low-viability sperm are removed. This leaves behind sperm that are most likely to produce a successful pregnancy.

Insemination

The final step is the healthcare provider inserting the prepared sperm into the uterus. A speculum inserted into the vagina allows for a small catheter to be guided into the uterus where the sperm sample is injected. The process takes a few minutes and tends to be pain-free, although some individuals report mild cramping and spotting for a day or so after the procedure.

What Does IUI Cost?

A single IUI treatment cycle ranges between $300 and $4,000 and covers costs such as consultation, testing, monitoring, and a single, non-surgical procedure. If the first round of IUI does not result in pregnancy, many try additional rounds. These are usually priced at the same rate as the first round.

What Influences the Success of IUI?

Age, the timing of the procedure, as well as ovarian stimulation are some factors that influence how successful IUI treatments are. Usually one can know if the procedure was successful through a pregnancy test taken within two weeks following IUI.

Ovarian Stimulation

Ovarian stimulation protocols have been observed to greatly increase the chances of success in IUI cycles. A 2021 study found that ovary stimulation made IUI treatments almost twice as effective, compared to when one depended on a natural ovulation cycle.

Age

The study further revealed that there is a link between the age of IUI treatment patients and successful pregnancy rates. Higher success rates were found in patients under the age of 25 who had donors under the age of 30. This gradually and steadily decreased with the increase of age into the mid and late 30s.

Timing

At the time of an IUI treatment, it was observed that the thickness of the endometrium plays a crucial role in the success of implantation. In 2021, a fertility study discovered that  significant improvements in pregnancy rates occurred in patients whose endometrium was beyond a certain thickness at the point of implantation.

Treatment Frequency

IUI treatment tends to do one single procedure. At times a second IUI procedure may be carried out during the same ovulation cycle. This is called a double IUI and some clinics claim that it increases the chances of conception. 

Although a review of nine clinical trials comparing the two found that double IUI cycles increased the likelihood of pregnancy, the procedure did not change the outcomes of live births and miscarriages. 

Double IUI treatment results are still unclear in many cases although it has some benefits, further research is required before any conclusive determinations can be drawn.

Bottom Line

IUI is safe, affordable and has a long history of success. It is also a good option for people with fertility challenges, or who want to use donated sperm to conceive.

Work closely with a professional healthcare provider to explore the best treatment plan for your particular circumstance. If you want to learn more about IUI or any other fertility treatments available, contact Ivy Fertility, a reliable partner on your family-building journey.