IUI Success Rates

Assisted reproductive technologies (ART) are used to intervene when individuals or couples are having challenges conceiving naturally. Intrauterine insemination better known as IUI is one such ART used to facilitate pregnancy. It is one of the most affordable ART therapies in medicare and this makes it a primary choice for some people. IUI therapy relies on natural ovulation for success, as a result it is vital for the timing of insemination to be accurate. We shall break down the steps involved in IUI treatments, as well, we shall discuss the costs, benefits and factors that affect outcomes. Finally we shall also share tips that could increase your chances of becoming pregnant if you are using IUI therapy.

What Is IUI?

IUI is the oldest form of ART, dating back to 1793, where the first successful treatment took place in London. Since then, technologies have not only improved, they have also become more sophisticated. Improvements in handling and processing of sperm, tracking of ovulation, and increased information in microbiology have brought about better results in ART.   

What Is the IUI Process?

There are several steps that the IUI comprises, namely testing of the person who will be carrying the pregnancy, medication therapy, sperm sample treatment, and insemination. We shall expound of each step below: 

Testing

In order to establish overall reproductive health, tests are conducted to check the uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries. After the results are available, a professional healthcare professional will evaluate them and determine if IUI is a suitable treatment option for the patient. Following this, a treatment plan will be made, scheduling the next steps of treatment.  

Medication

The medication that will be prescribed for this phase is used to stimulate ovulation. The timing of this is also crucial as it must be syncronized as closely as possible to the patient’s natural cycle.  

Sperm Sample     

For ART therapies to have the best chance of success, the sperm samples used undergo a process called a sperm wash. This process clears the sperm sample of unwanted compounds and sperm that are not viable, leaving an optimized sperm sample that gives a higher chance of succeeding in fertilizing the egg for successful pregnancy.

Insemination

As mentioned earlier, IUI relies on natural ovulation, and when ovulation starts, the prepared sperm is inserted into the now ready uterus using a catheter. This process is brief and pain free, therefore no anaesthesia will be required. However, after the process, a person may feel some discomfort in the form of mild cramps or spotting. These typically resolve on their own within a day or so.

Who Can Benefit from IUI?

The beneficiaries of IUI according to a research out of University of Pennsylvania are:

• People who are using donor sperm to become pregnant
• Individuals who have subfertile semen parameters such as low sperm motility, or low sperm count
• Male partners experiencing challenges achieving erections or ejaculating 
• Female partners who have scar tissue on their cervix
• Female partners who are experiencing challenges that affect their cervix or cervical mucus

What Influences the Success of IUI?

Below are the different factors that influence the success of any IUI treatment:

Age

As we have already seen IUI treatments rely on natural ovulation, the natural decline in fertility has a direct influence on how successful the treatments will be. For patients who are 25 years old or younger, sperm from donors aged 30 years old or younger is recommended. It is important to be aware that even with the use of sperm from donors aged 30 years and below, the likelihood of becoming pregnant decreases with each passing year after the mid 30s.

Ovarian Stimulation

The success of IUI is based on the accurate timing of ovulation. Whereas there could be a chance of becoming pregnant naturally without incorporating ovarian stimulation into the IUI treatment, the use of ovarian stimulation protocols tends to double the likelihood of conception. 

Timing

In order for any ART therapy to be effective, the thickness of the endometrium matters, as it facilitates the successful implantation of the embryo. This thickness plays a vital role not just in implantation, but contributes to the success of the pregnancy as a whole.

Treatment Frequency

Since IUI treatments rely on natural ovulation, a single procedure may not always be successful. When this is the case, a person will have to wait until their next cycle to try again. However, there have been some studies that have shown that doing a second treatment within the same cycle increases the chances of conception.

What Does IUI Cost?

The costs of one IUI treatment cycle typically falls between $300 and $4,000. As with ARTs, this cost caters for consultation fees, the fertility health tests, ovarian stimulation, the monitoring of the ovulation cycle, and a singular insemination. If a round of IUI is not successful, it is typical for people to try additional rounds of IUI treatments. 

Bottom Line

IUI is a pioneering fertility treatment that has been successful for centuries. It is the least invasive and the most affordable ART therapy. To learn more about fertility treatment options available to you, contact Fertility Associates of Memphis. We offer comprehensive healthcare in family building, and our professional team of experts is ready to walk with you on your journey.