What is intrauterine insemination (IUI)?
Intrauterine insemination (IUI), also called artificial insemination, is a fertility treatment that can help you get pregnant. It’s often one of the first fertility treatments experts recommend to couples and females who wish to have a biological child.
During intercourse, sperm must pass through the vagina, cervix, uterus, and fallopian tubes to reach the egg and fertilize it. Only a few hundred sperm out of millions make it to the egg. IUI shortens the distance sperm must travel to the egg, increasing your chance of becoming pregnant.
To perform IUI, your doctor uses a thin, flexible tube to place millions of sperm directly into your uterus when you’re most fertile. Sperm may be from a partner or donor.
Penn Medicine specialists prepare sperm for IUI in our on-site andrology lab. Since our lab is on-site, the sperm sample doesn’t have to travel far. The sperm remains as fresh as possible and gives you a high-quality sample for your IUI.
How successful is IUI?
IUI success rates are 5 percent to 20 percent. Many variables affect the procedure outcome, including age, health, and sperm quality. Our fertility and reproductive care providers discuss these variables with you before your IUI.
What does IUI cost?
You can expect to pay several thousand dollars per IUI treatment. The procedure is less expensive than in vitro fertilization (IVF), which is why many couples and individuals try IUI first. The cost of IUI increases if you need donor sperm, multiple cycles, or ovulation medication.
Most health insurance plans don’t cover IUI. We make sure you know your out-of-pocket costs before starting treatment and help you navigate paying for fertility care.
Who is a candidate for intrauterine insemination?
We may recommend IUI for couples who have been trying to get pregnant for at least a year and have no known reason for infertility. We may also recommend the treatment if you or your partner have:
- Endometriosis
- Low sperm count or mobility
- An ovulation disorder, such as polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS)
- Sexual dysfunction
IUI may also be an option for same-sex female couples and single women who want to get pregnant using donor sperm. We welcome all types of couples and individuals who choose to use IUI to get pregnant. We believe there are multiple ways to grow a family, and we’re here to help you create the family you want.
The IUI process at Penn Medicine: what to expect
You and your fertility doctor will decide if IUI is the right fertility treatment for you. We tailor the IUI procedure based on your needs and health history. Your care team will discuss your concerns and walk through the IUI process with you, so you’re informed every step of the way.
You take medications that help your body grow eggs at the beginning of your menstrual cycle. Ovulation induction medications may be pills or injections. If you ovulate regularly, you may choose not to take the medication and ovulate naturally.
Over the next two weeks, you’ll come to the clinic several times. We use ultrasound and blood tests to monitor your follicle development and hormone levels, which tell us when your eggs are ready for fertilization.
You receive a trigger shot—also called a gonadotropin injection—when your follicles are fully developed. The injection helps your body release mature eggs. If you’re ovulating naturally, the injection isn’t necessary.
We prepare or “wash” the sperm from your partner or donor in our on-site laboratory. Washed sperm has a higher concentration of live and active sperm than an unwashed sample, giving it a better chance of fertilization.
We schedule your procedure 24 to 48 hours after you receive the trigger shot or ovulate. You lie down and relax while your doctor uses a thin, flexible tube to place the washed sperm into your uterus. The procedure takes 5-10 minutes, and you should feel little to no discomfort. You remain lying down for a few minutes after the procedure.
After the IUI procedure
There’s no recovery time associated with IUI. You can resume normal activities after the procedure. Side effects may include light spotting and mild cramps for up to two days.
Two weeks after insemination, you may take a pregnancy test. Your provider will let you know if you should return to the clinic for a blood test to confirm the pregnancy.
IUI risks
IUI is a safe, effective fertility treatment. There are some risks, including multiple pregnancies and infection (though this is rare). Your doctor speaks with you about these risks and answers any questions you have.
World leaders in IUI treatment at Penn Medicine
Penn Medicine providers pioneered intrauterine insemination, proving their deep knowledge and expertise in performing the procedure. They know exactly when to perform each step in the IUI process, increasing your chance of pregnancy.
Our collaborative team works closely to provide you with well-rounded reproductive care. Your team may include experts in male infertility, reproductive endocrinology, and urogynecology.
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