If you’re exploring fertility treatments, you’ve likely come across two common options: intrauterine insemination (IUI) and in vitro fertilization (IVF). Both aim to help people conceive, but they vary in terms of procedure, success rates, and cost. Understanding these differences can help you feel more informed and empowered as you take the next steps on your fertility journey. Dr. Arlene Go breaks down how IUI and IVF work, what to expect from each, and how to determine the best path forward.
What Is IUI?
IUI is a simpler, less invasive fertility treatment that places specially prepared sperm directly into the uterus around ovulation. This process helps bring healthy sperm closer to the egg, increasing the chances of fertilization.
Doctors often pair IUI with oral medications like Clomid or Letrozole, which stimulate the ovaries to produce more follicles, improving the chances of pregnancy. Before the procedure, sperm goes through a process called sperm washing, which removes immobile sperm, white blood cells, and any potentially harmful elements like bacteria—leaving behind the healthiest, most active sperm for insemination.
Who Might Consider IUI?
IUI can be a first-line treatment. Some insurance companies even require patients to attempt IUI before approving coverage for IVF, making it a first step for many individuals and couples.
What Is IVF?
IVF is a more advanced fertility treatment that offers higher success rates than IUI. The process involves retrieving eggs from the ovarian follicles, fertilizing the eggs with sperm in a laboratory, assessing for embryo development, and transferring a healthy embryo into the uterus.
The process starts with ovarian stimulation, where injectable fertility medications help the ovaries produce multiple follicles. Once the follicles are ready, a trigger injection helps to mature and release the eggs, which are retrieved through a minor surgical procedure. Any mature eggs retrieved from the ovarian follicles are fertilized with specially prepared sperm in a lab. If male factor infertility or previous fertilization issues are a concern, intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) may be used. This technique injects a single sperm directly into an egg to increase the chances of fertilization.
The fertilized eggs then develop into embryos, which are carefully monitored over several days. Ideally, they reach the blastocyst stage around day five—a critical milestone where the embryo has grown to over 100 cells, improving the likelihood of implantation.
When the embryos are ready, the most viable one is selected for transfer to maximize the chances of pregnancy. Any remaining embryos can be frozen for future use, giving you more opportunities to grow your family.
Who Might Consider IVF?
IVF is recommended when other treatments like IUI haven’t been successful or as a first step in cases of advanced maternal age and for more complex fertility cases such as blocked fallopian tubes, severe male factor infertility, diminished ovarian reserve, and severe endometriosis. It’s also an option for those who need third-party reproductive assistance, such as donor eggs, sperm, or gestational carrier, as well as those who desire genetic testing of embryos (PGT) or are pursuing fertility preservation through egg freezing.
Key Differences Between IUI and IVF
Fertility treatments aren’t just different in procedure—they vary in timelines, medications, monitoring, and success rates, too. For example, injectable medications aren’t routinely used for IUI like they are for IVF.
IVF also requires more monitoring, with frequent bloodwork and ultrasounds to track how your body responds to medication and to determine the best timing for key steps.
One of the biggest differences is success rates. Depending on diagnosis, IUI has about a 10-15% pregnancy rate per cycle, while IVF offers a higher pregnancy rate of 50–60%. Age plays a major role in both treatments, and for women over 40 using their own eggs, the success rates tend to be lower. However, using donor eggs in an IVF cycle can significantly improve the chances of success.
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Choosing the Right Path for You
The decision between IUI and IVF depends on your unique medical history, fertility goals, and personal circumstances. At Fertility Centers of Illinois, we provide personalized treatment plans to help you find the best path forward.
To explore which option is right for you, schedule a consultation with one of our fertility specialists. We’re here to support you every step of the way.
Medical contribution by Arlene A. Go, M.D.
Arlene Go, M.D., is dedicated to guiding patients through the complexities of fertility treatment with a blend of cutting-edge medical advancements and compassionate care. Her individualized approach ensures that each patient’s treatment plan is uniquely tailored to their specific circumstances and goals, maximizing their chances of achieving parenthood.
