Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Is IUI?What Is IVF?IUI vs. IVFSuccess RateWhich Is Better: IUI or IVF?Frequently Asked Questions

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

What Is IUI?

What Is IVF?

IUI vs. IVF

Success Rate

Which Is Better: IUI or IVF?

Frequently Asked Questions

Intrauterine insemination(IUI) andin vitrofertilization (IVF) are medical techniques that help someone getpregnant. They are types of assisted reproductive technology (ART) or fertility treatment. Intrauterine insemination is when the sperm fertilizes the eggs inside the uterus, whereas in vitro fertilization occurs in a petri dish or lab.

This article compares types of IUI and IVF, their procedures, cost-effectiveness, success rates, and possible side effects.

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Woman and man sitting on a sofa smiling at the results of a pregnancy test

IUI is ART that involves placing sperm inside theuterus. People may refer to it as artificial insemination, alternative insemination, or donor insemination.

ART StatisticsIn the United States, assisted reproductive technology accounts for the conception of about 2% of babies yearly. In 2021, that led to about 97,000 live-born infants.

ART Statistics

In the United States, assisted reproductive technology accounts for the conception of about 2% of babies yearly. In 2021, that led to about 97,000 live-born infants.

Types

Providers differentiate IUI based on the use of fertility drugs. Both types have a higher success rate than trying to conceive without fertility drugs, procedures, or other forms of assistance.

HCG Injections During Fertility Treatments

Procedure

With IUI, artificial insemination occurs the day after ovulation. Before the procedure, your healthcare provider will prepare and “wash” the sperm sample.

If your partner provides the sperm sample, they will do so on the day of IUI. For those using donor sperm, your provider will thaw and prepare the sample before beginning the procedure.

Why Is Sperm Washed?“Washing” sperm means separatingseminal fluidfrom the sperm in the lab, making it more motile (mobile) and more likely to fertilize an egg. It also makes semen less irritating to the uterus.

Why Is Sperm Washed?

“Washing” sperm means separatingseminal fluidfrom the sperm in the lab, making it more motile (mobile) and more likely to fertilize an egg. It also makes semen less irritating to the uterus.

The artificial insemination procedure is similar to aPap smearor pelvic exam. It may be slightly uncomfortable, but it should not be painful and doesn’t require sedation. It is performed as follows:

Your provider may prescribeprogesterone, a hormone that prepares the lining of the uterus and helpsimplantedembryos grow.Typically, you will take a pregnancy test two weeks after IUI.

Female Anatomy and Function

IVFis fertilizing an egg outside the uterus in the lab. “Fertilize” means combining the sperm with the egg. The fertilized egg matures into an embryo that the provider puts back in the uterus to become a fetus.

You can choose to use your eggs or donor eggs for this procedure. This decision will depend on your fertility challenges and personal preferences.

The following is a review of the different types of IVF:

Typically stages of successful IVF progress as follows:

Your provider may prescribe progesterone after the transfer to help the embryos grow.

When deciding between these options, you and your fertility specialist should consider the gestational carrier’s age, fertility concerns, overall health, cost, and family history.

Common Reasons for IUI

People with the following fertility concerns might opt to try IUI first:

Common Reasons for IVF

IVF may be the best option if your or your partner’s condition involves the following:

Reproductive Health Issues

Cost

IVF is more expensive than IUI. The average cost of an IUI cycle in the United States is $300 to $1,000. IVF cycles cost between $10,000 and $20,000.

Risks

The egg retrieval portion of IVF is riskier than IUI. However, both IUI and IVF involve artificial insemination. IUI risks include:

Risks with egg retrieval for IVF also include:

Side Effects

Side effects vary based on artificial insemination, egg retrieval, and fertility drugs.

IUI success rates range from 5% to 25% as opposed to 25% to 87% with IVF.These extensive gaps in the ranges are due to the following variables:

When considering IVF, these success estimators may be helpful:

While IUI is less invasive, carries less risk and fewer side effects, and is less expensive, it has a lower success rates.The choice comes down to age, fertility challenges, treatment history, and financial resources.

For example, IUI may be a good starting point for people under 35 with specific fertility concerns such as unexplained infertility or sperm problems.

If IUI doesn’t work within a few cycles, people often opt to move on to IVF. In some cases, IVF may be the best or only option for some fertility challenges involving severe male infertility, severe fallopian tube blockage, advanced age (over 35), or concerns about genetic disorders.

Summary

IUI and IVF are both assistive reproductive treatments. With IUI, the healthcare provider places sperm in the uterus. IVF occurs when the provider fertilizes an egg outside the uterus (in a lab). IUI is less invasive, carries less risk, and is less expensive.

However, it has lower success rates than IVF. You and your fertility specialist should consider age, fertility concerns, overall health, financial resources, and family history when deciding between these options.

Frequently Asked QuestionsIUI is less invasive, less risky, and less expensive than IVF. However, its success rates are lower. It may be worth trying if the gestational carrier is younger than 35 years old with specific fertility concerns such as unexplained fertility orspermproblems.Gestational carriers 35 or younger with specific fertility challenges are good candidates for IUI. These fertility challenges include unexplained infertility, sperm problems (low count, poor mobility), ovulation difficulties, cervical mucus issues, and semen allergies.Learn MoreHow Basal Body Temperature Relates to FertilityGenerally, fertility treatments are most successful for people in their 20s and early 30s. Success rates start to decrease beyond age 37. People 40 and over can successfully conceive through IVF. However, success rates drop rapidly over 40. People over 35 can also consider using donor eggs when undergoing IVF treatment.

IUI is less invasive, less risky, and less expensive than IVF. However, its success rates are lower. It may be worth trying if the gestational carrier is younger than 35 years old with specific fertility concerns such as unexplained fertility orspermproblems.

Gestational carriers 35 or younger with specific fertility challenges are good candidates for IUI. These fertility challenges include unexplained infertility, sperm problems (low count, poor mobility), ovulation difficulties, cervical mucus issues, and semen allergies.Learn MoreHow Basal Body Temperature Relates to Fertility

Gestational carriers 35 or younger with specific fertility challenges are good candidates for IUI. These fertility challenges include unexplained infertility, sperm problems (low count, poor mobility), ovulation difficulties, cervical mucus issues, and semen allergies.

Learn MoreHow Basal Body Temperature Relates to Fertility

Generally, fertility treatments are most successful for people in their 20s and early 30s. Success rates start to decrease beyond age 37. People 40 and over can successfully conceive through IVF. However, success rates drop rapidly over 40. People over 35 can also consider using donor eggs when undergoing IVF treatment.

12 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.ART success rates.Planned Parenthood.What is IUI?.Gautam A.Intrauterine insemination: fundamentals revisited.J Obstet Gynaecol India. 2017;67(6): 385-392. doi:10.1007/s13224-017-1060-xCantineau AE, Rutten AG, Cohlen BJ.Agents for ovarian stimulation for intrauterine insemination (IUI) in ovulatory women with infertility.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2021;11(11):CD005356. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD005356.pub3Schorsch M, Gomez R, Hahn T, Hoelscher-Obermaier J, Seufert R, Skala C.Success rate of inseminations dependent on maternal age? An analysis of 4246 insemination cycles.Geburtshilfe Frauenheilkd. 2013;73(8):808-811. doi:10.1055/s-0033-1350615Soyer-Calıskan C, Hatirnaz K, Celik S, et al.A comparison of triple and double sperm washing for density gradient preparation in intrauterine insemination cycles when overnight incubation of specimens occurred: a retrospective cohort.Clin Exp Obstet Gynecol.2022;49(11):250. doi:10.31083/j.ceog4911250National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.In vitro fertilization (IVF).American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Treating infertility.Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology.Frequently asked questions.Walls ML, Hart RJ.In vitromaturation.Best Pract Res Clin Obstet Gynaecol. 2018;53:60-72. doi:10.1016/j.bpobgyn.2018.06.004Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.IVF success estimator.Reproductive Biomedicine Online.IUI is a better alternative to IVF as the first-line treatment of unexplained fertility.

12 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.ART success rates.Planned Parenthood.What is IUI?.Gautam A.Intrauterine insemination: fundamentals revisited.J Obstet Gynaecol India. 2017;67(6): 385-392. doi:10.1007/s13224-017-1060-xCantineau AE, Rutten AG, Cohlen BJ.Agents for ovarian stimulation for intrauterine insemination (IUI) in ovulatory women with infertility.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2021;11(11):CD005356. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD005356.pub3Schorsch M, Gomez R, Hahn T, Hoelscher-Obermaier J, Seufert R, Skala C.Success rate of inseminations dependent on maternal age? An analysis of 4246 insemination cycles.Geburtshilfe Frauenheilkd. 2013;73(8):808-811. doi:10.1055/s-0033-1350615Soyer-Calıskan C, Hatirnaz K, Celik S, et al.A comparison of triple and double sperm washing for density gradient preparation in intrauterine insemination cycles when overnight incubation of specimens occurred: a retrospective cohort.Clin Exp Obstet Gynecol.2022;49(11):250. doi:10.31083/j.ceog4911250National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.In vitro fertilization (IVF).American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Treating infertility.Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology.Frequently asked questions.Walls ML, Hart RJ.In vitromaturation.Best Pract Res Clin Obstet Gynaecol. 2018;53:60-72. doi:10.1016/j.bpobgyn.2018.06.004Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.IVF success estimator.Reproductive Biomedicine Online.IUI is a better alternative to IVF as the first-line treatment of unexplained fertility.

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.ART success rates.Planned Parenthood.What is IUI?.Gautam A.Intrauterine insemination: fundamentals revisited.J Obstet Gynaecol India. 2017;67(6): 385-392. doi:10.1007/s13224-017-1060-xCantineau AE, Rutten AG, Cohlen BJ.Agents for ovarian stimulation for intrauterine insemination (IUI) in ovulatory women with infertility.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2021;11(11):CD005356. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD005356.pub3Schorsch M, Gomez R, Hahn T, Hoelscher-Obermaier J, Seufert R, Skala C.Success rate of inseminations dependent on maternal age? An analysis of 4246 insemination cycles.Geburtshilfe Frauenheilkd. 2013;73(8):808-811. doi:10.1055/s-0033-1350615Soyer-Calıskan C, Hatirnaz K, Celik S, et al.A comparison of triple and double sperm washing for density gradient preparation in intrauterine insemination cycles when overnight incubation of specimens occurred: a retrospective cohort.Clin Exp Obstet Gynecol.2022;49(11):250. doi:10.31083/j.ceog4911250National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.In vitro fertilization (IVF).American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Treating infertility.Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology.Frequently asked questions.Walls ML, Hart RJ.In vitromaturation.Best Pract Res Clin Obstet Gynaecol. 2018;53:60-72. doi:10.1016/j.bpobgyn.2018.06.004Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.IVF success estimator.Reproductive Biomedicine Online.IUI is a better alternative to IVF as the first-line treatment of unexplained fertility.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.ART success rates.

Planned Parenthood.What is IUI?.

Gautam A.Intrauterine insemination: fundamentals revisited.J Obstet Gynaecol India. 2017;67(6): 385-392. doi:10.1007/s13224-017-1060-x

Cantineau AE, Rutten AG, Cohlen BJ.Agents for ovarian stimulation for intrauterine insemination (IUI) in ovulatory women with infertility.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2021;11(11):CD005356. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD005356.pub3

Schorsch M, Gomez R, Hahn T, Hoelscher-Obermaier J, Seufert R, Skala C.Success rate of inseminations dependent on maternal age? An analysis of 4246 insemination cycles.Geburtshilfe Frauenheilkd. 2013;73(8):808-811. doi:10.1055/s-0033-1350615

Soyer-Calıskan C, Hatirnaz K, Celik S, et al.A comparison of triple and double sperm washing for density gradient preparation in intrauterine insemination cycles when overnight incubation of specimens occurred: a retrospective cohort.Clin Exp Obstet Gynecol.2022;49(11):250. doi:10.31083/j.ceog4911250

National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.In vitro fertilization (IVF).

American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Treating infertility.

Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology.Frequently asked questions.

Walls ML, Hart RJ.In vitromaturation.Best Pract Res Clin Obstet Gynaecol. 2018;53:60-72. doi:10.1016/j.bpobgyn.2018.06.004

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.IVF success estimator.

Reproductive Biomedicine Online.IUI is a better alternative to IVF as the first-line treatment of unexplained fertility.

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