IUI Success Rates

Key Takeaways

• Intrauterine insemination, or IUI, is an assisted reproductive technology procedure that involves placing specially prepared sperm directly into the uterus to increase the odds of achieving pregnancy.
• The IUI process is less invasive and typically more affordable than IVF. However, it's important to remember that IUI success rates are generally lower than IVF.
• IUI can be a viable route to a healthy pregnancy for couples or individuals who have struggled with infertility for a wide variety of reasons.
• Ultimately, the best fertility treatment for you depends on factors such as your age, the cause of your infertility, and your individual preferences. Your fertility care specialist can help you weigh the pros and cons of IUI to determine the most appropriate treatment path for your unique situation. 

What Is IUI

Intrauterine insemination (IUI) involves placing specially prepared sperm directly into the uterus during ovulation to enhance the chances of achieving a healthy pregnancy. IUI procedures offer a less invasive and often more affordable alternative to in vitro fertilization (IVF) for couples struggling to conceive. So what are the chances of success with IUI?  

Factors Influencing IUI Success Rates

According to the medical journal Fertility and Sterility, infertility affects between 7 and 17 percent of couples in the United States who are trying  to get pregnant. For patients struggling to conceive, IUI is one of several popular assisted reproductive technology (ART) procedures that can be recommended by your fertility care expert.Here are the primary factors that can influence IUI success rates:

• Age: Women under age 35 tend to have higher success rates with IUI. Research consistently shows that as females grow older, there’s a decrease in both egg quality and quantity (also called ovarian reserve). While this doesn't mean pregnancy is impossible after a certain age, it's important to be aware of this biological reality.
• Cause of Infertility: The underlying cause of infertility can affect IUI success.  For example, unexplained infertility and ovulatory dysfunction often have better IUI outcomes than conditions like advanced endometriosis, tubal factor infertility, or severe male factor infertility.
• Sperm Quality: The quality and quantity of the sperm used for insemination are crucial.  In some cases, sperm may require specialized techniques like washing or density gradient centrifugation to improve its chances of fertilizing an egg.
• Cervical Mucus Quality: The mucus produced by your cervix aids sperm in traveling from the vagina through the uterus to the fallopian tubes. However, thick mucus can hinder sperm movement. During IUI, sperm bypasses the cervix and is directly placed into the uterus.
• Ovulation Timing: For IUI to be effective, it’s critical to time your ovulation precisely (when the egg is released during your cycle). This ensures that the egg is available for fertilization when the sperm is introduced into the uterus.

IUI Success Rates: A Look at the Data

IUI success rates can differ significantly for each couple based on their specific characteristics. As mentioned previously, success rates largely depend on the woman’s age, cause of infertility, as well as other factors such as whether fertility medications are used. One study in 2022 attempted to predict the success of IUI using a scoring system, and it found the pregnancy rate to be nearly 11% on average for couples pursuing their first IUI. Generally, the chances of IUI being successful fall below 10% on the second and third IUI attempts and continue to decrease after this. This is because the best prognosis patients are more likely to achieve pregnancy in the first several attempts. Moving to IVF after three failed IUI cycles has been found to result in a faster time to pregnancy and is often more cost effective.

What Is the IUI Process

It’s important for couples to discuss their specific circumstances with a fertility specialist to get a clearer understanding of their individual chances of success with IUI.During your initial fertility evaluation at SDFC, your fertility care expert will conduct specialized testing to evaluate the health of the uterus and fallopian tubes. This will help determine if IUI is the best path forward for the patient. 

Once you and your doctor have determined the ideal time to begin your cycle of IUI treatments, a sperm sample is acquired either from your partner or a donor depending on your unique treatment plan. Because IUI must be performed during an ovulation cycle, a medication like Clomid is often prescribed beforehand to stimulate ovulation (called Ovulation Induction or OI/IUI). This increases the chance of pregnancy by putting the sperm in contact with more eggs. The sperm sample then undergoes a process known as a “sperm wash,” which involves removing non-sperm compounds from the semen as well as low-viability sperm, leaving behind only sperm that is most likely to be able to yield a successful pregnancy.

The final step of the IUI process is inserting the prepared sperm into the uterus. A fertility care expert conducts this procedure in the office, which is relatively brief. A speculum is inserted to allow a small catheter to be placed into the uterus, and the sperm sample is injected. The entire process takes only a few minutes once the semen sample is ready, and it’s typically pain-free, although some women report mild cramping and spotting for a day or two after the procedure.

Consult a Fertility Care Specialist

If you’re interested in learning more about IUI or other fertility treatments, SDFC can help you in your family-building journey. Contact us to schedule your consultation appointment. Every fertility journey is unique, working in partnership with your fertility care specialist is key to determine your unique treatment plan. 

The information provided in this article is for general knowledge and should not be considered medical advice.  Please consult with your fertility care expert or a qualified healthcare provider for any health concerns or before making any decisions related to your health or treatment.