IUI Treatment

Intrauterine insemination (IUI) is often the first fertility treatment couples try before considering more involved options like IVF. It's a simpler, less invasive procedure that works by placing specially prepared sperm directly into the uterus, timed closely around ovulation to improve the chances of conception.

How IUI works

The procedure itself is brief and doesn't require anesthesia. A thin catheter is used to place a concentrated sample of healthy sperm directly into the uterus, bypassing the cervix and shortening the distance sperm need to travel to reach the egg. It's typically done in conjunction with monitoring — sometimes alongside mild ovarian stimulation medication — to confirm the timing lines up precisely with ovulation.

Who IUI is generally recommended for

IUI tends to be suggested as a starting point for couples facing:

1. Mild male factor infertility, such as slightly reduced sperm count or motility
2. Unexplained infertility, where no clear cause has been identified after initial testing
3. Cervical factor issues, where the cervical mucus may be making it harder for sperm to reach the uterus naturally
4. Single women or same-sex couples using donor sperm
5. Mild endometriosis without significant blockage of the fallopian tubes

IUI is generally not recommended when fallopian tubes are blocked, or when male factor infertility is more significant — in those cases, IVF is usually a more appropriate next step.

What a typical cycle looks like

Depending on whether medication is used, a cycle involves monitoring your natural cycle or tracking response to mild stimulation drugs through blood tests and ultrasounds, followed by the insemination procedure itself around the time of ovulation. A pregnancy test typically follows about two weeks later.

Setting realistic expectations

Success rates per cycle are meaningfully lower than IVF, which is part of why IUI is generally positioned as a lower-cost, lower-intensity first attempt rather than a guaranteed solution. Many fertility specialists recommend trying three to four cycles before reassessing and considering IVF if IUI hasn't been successful, since success rates don't meaningfully improve much beyond that point for most patients.

What makes IUI appealing as a starting point

Compared to IVF, IUI involves less medication, no surgical egg retrieval, a shorter timeline per cycle, and significantly lower cost — which is exactly why it's often the recommended first step rather than jumping straight to more intensive treatment, particularly for couples without a clearly identified structural barrier to conception.

Talking through your specific situation

Whether IUI is the right starting point depends on factors specific to you and your partner — prior test results, age, and how long you've been trying to conceive all factor in. Our fertility specialists can review your history and help you understand realistically what to expect before starting.