With advancements in technology, those diagnosed with infertility or who cannot have a baby for some reason are now able to go through treatments to have a live birth. A lot of research and practice has gone into fertility treatments, and often, they can be pretty successful.
The two most common fertility treatments include in vitro fertilization (IVF) and intrauterine insemination (IUI), previously known as artificial insemination. For those considering any fertility treatment, it’s beneficial to do some research first to become knowledgeable about the process, success rates and how they can improve their success.
About six percent of married women will experience infertility after one year of trying to conceive. Those who struggle to conceive but may not be infertile can use IUI as an assisted reproduction to start the family they’ve hoped for. This article will cover the basics of IUI, including what it is, who can use it and the overall IUI success rates of those who have used the IUI procedure as a reproductive treatment.
What Is IUI?
Intrauterine insemination is a reproduction procedure. The sperm, whether donated or from a woman’s partner, is placed inside of the uterus using a tube. All of the sperm is washed, and only the healthy sperm are used when inserting them into the uterus. This brings them as close to the egg as possible, which increases the success rate of fertilization.
During natural conception and fertilization, the sperm has to travel from the vagina, through the cervix, into the uterus and then to the fallopian tubes. This is a long process, and for those with low sperm counts or infertility, it can be more challenging to conceive, which is why IUI can be beneficial in starting a pregnancy.
Who Can Use IUI?
IUI is the less expensive option concerning fertility treatments. It’s noninvasive, and often, couples who experience difficulty conceiving will start with intrauterine insemination before moving onto IVF if needed. However, in many cases, IUI is the only necessary reproductive treatment required for couples.
Whether a couple or single person uses a male partner’s sperm or donor sperm, IUI is achievable. Typically, the procedure is used in these situations:
- Low sperm count or sperm motility
- Unexplained infertility
- Mild cases of endometriosis
- Issues with erection or ejaculation
- A single woman wishing to conceive
- Same-sex couples wishing to conceive
- Couples wanting to avoid passing on a genetic defect from the male
Although there are many cases where IUI can help a couple or single woman conceive, it’s not effective in situations such as:
- Men who produce no sperm
- Women with severe endometriosis
- Women with multiple pelvic infections
- Women with removed or blocked fallopian tubes or with a fallopian tube disease
When IUI isn’t possible or effective, couples should consider IVF.
IUI Success Rates
Every couple or single woman has a different response to intrauterine insemination. However, on average, IUI cycles lead to successful live births up to 15% of the time. Repetition of IUI can boost those success rates. The more often someone goes through the procedure, the more likely they are to conceive. Nearly all successful IUIs happen after three or four attempts.
IUI only acts as an assistant to conception. A couple trying to conceive naturally won’t always conceive on the first try, and the same is true for IUI.
Factors That Influence IUI Success Rates
Success rates vary, but various factors influence those success rates. Below are some of the factors that affect the success rates of IUI.
- Age: Age is one of the most significant factors when determining the success rate of an IUI treatment. As a woman ages, the success rates drop due to a decrease in egg quality. For women under 35 years of age, the success rate is about 20%. However, for someone 40 years or older, it can drop between 3-9%. The older the woman, the more cycles she may have to go through to conceive.
- Infertility diagnosis: Before going through an IUI procedure, a doctor will determine the diagnosis of infertility. If there is male factor infertility, and the male has no sperm problems, then IUI will boost the chances of conception compared to natural conception. Usually, these success rates are about 17%. Another diagnosis may be a single open fertility tube, and success can be anywhere between 11% and 38%.
- Use of medications: Fertility medications can help boost IUI success rates. Taken at the correct time, they can maximize the number of eggs, providing a greater chance of conception.
- Timing of the procedure: A doctor will plan out the entire procedure and determine when ovulation occurs. Any delay in this process can decrease the success rate of conception.
Each of these has an impact on the success of IUI. It’s always important to do research and seek help from a professional before undergoing the IUI procedure.
Tips to Make IUI Successful
Fortunately, there are some other tips that can help make IUI successful. Meeting with a fertility expert and doing plenty of research can boost the success of IUI. Additionally, living a healthy life will benefit someone hoping to have the IUI treatment. This includes eating healthy meals, exercising, avoiding smoking and de-stressing. It’s also beneficial to have sex after IUI since the uterus contracts and can help push the sperm closer to the fallopian tubs.
A Chance at Conception
Intrauterine insemination is a more affordable option for fertility treatments. It has been effective for plenty of couples, offering them a chance to start their families.
With advancements in technology, those diagnosed with infertility or who cannot have a baby for some reason are now able to go through treatments to have a live birth. A lot of research and practice has gone into fertility treatments, and often, they can be pretty successful.
The two most common fertility treatments include in vitro fertilization (IVF) and intrauterine insemination (IUI), previously known as artificial insemination. For those considering any fertility treatment, it’s beneficial to do some research first to become knowledgeable about the process, success rates and how they can improve their success.
About six percent of married women will experience infertility after one year of trying to conceive. Those who struggle to conceive but may not be infertile can use IUI as an assisted reproduction to start the family they’ve hoped for. This article will cover the basics of IUI, including what it is, who can use it and the overall IUI success rates of those who have used the IUI procedure as a reproductive treatment.
What Is IUI?
Intrauterine insemination is a reproduction procedure. The sperm, whether donated or from a woman’s partner, is placed inside of the uterus using a tube. All of the sperm is washed, and only the healthy sperm are used when inserting them into the uterus. This brings them as close to the egg as possible, which increases the success rate of fertilization.
During natural conception and fertilization, the sperm has to travel from the vagina, through the cervix, into the uterus and then to the fallopian tubes. This is a long process, and for those with low sperm counts or infertility, it can be more challenging to conceive, which is why IUI can be beneficial in starting a pregnancy.
Who Can Use IUI?
IUI is the less expensive option concerning fertility treatments. It’s noninvasive, and often, couples who experience difficulty conceiving will start with intrauterine insemination before moving onto IVF if needed. However, in many cases, IUI is the only necessary reproductive treatment required for couples.
Whether a couple or single person uses a male partner’s sperm or donor sperm, IUI is achievable. Typically, the procedure is used in these situations:
- Low sperm count or sperm motility
- Unexplained infertility
- Mild cases of endometriosis
- Issues with erection or ejaculation
- A single woman wishing to conceive
- Same-sex couples wishing to conceive
- Couples wanting to avoid passing on a genetic defect from the male
Although there are many cases where IUI can help a couple or single woman conceive, it’s not effective in situations such as:
- Men who produce no sperm
- Women with severe endometriosis
- Women with multiple pelvic infections
- Women with removed or blocked fallopian tubes or with a fallopian tube disease
When IUI isn’t possible or effective, couples should consider IVF.
IUI Success Rates
Every couple or single woman has a different response to intrauterine insemination. However, on average, IUI cycles lead to successful live births up to 15% of the time. Repetition of IUI can boost those success rates. The more often someone goes through the procedure, the more likely they are to conceive. Nearly all successful IUIs happen after three or four attempts.
IUI only acts as an assistant to conception. A couple trying to conceive naturally won’t always conceive on the first try, and the same is true for IUI.
Factors That Influence IUI Success Rates
Success rates vary, but various factors influence those success rates. Below are some of the factors that affect the success rates of IUI.
- Age: Age is one of the most significant factors when determining the success rate of an IUI treatment. As a woman ages, the success rates drop due to a decrease in egg quality. For women under 35 years of age, the success rate is about 20%. However, for someone 40 years or older, it can drop between 3-9%. The older the woman, the more cycles she may have to go through to conceive.
- Infertility diagnosis: Before going through an IUI procedure, a doctor will determine the diagnosis of infertility. If there is male factor infertility, and the male has no sperm problems, then IUI will boost the chances of conception compared to natural conception. Usually, these success rates are about 17%. Another diagnosis may be a single open fertility tube, and success can be anywhere between 11% and 38%.
- Use of medications: Fertility medications can help boost IUI success rates. Taken at the correct time, they can maximize the number of eggs, providing a greater chance of conception.
- Timing of the procedure: A doctor will plan out the entire procedure and determine when ovulation occurs. Any delay in this process can decrease the success rate of conception.
Each of these has an impact on the success of IUI. It’s always important to do research and seek help from a professional before undergoing the IUI procedure.
Tips to Make IUI Successful
Fortunately, there are some other tips that can help make IUI successful. Meeting with a fertility expert and doing plenty of research can boost the success of IUI. Additionally, living a healthy life will benefit someone hoping to have the IUI treatment. This includes eating healthy meals, exercising, avoiding smoking and de-stressing. It’s also beneficial to have sex after IUI since the uterus contracts and can help push the sperm closer to the fallopian tubs.
A Chance at Conception
Intrauterine insemination is a more affordable option for fertility treatments. It has been effective for plenty of couples, offering them a chance to start their families.
