What is Intrauterine Insemination (IUI)?
Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) is a treatment that involves inserting partner or donor sperm directly into the uterus during the most fertile time in your cycle. This increases the chance that the sperm will fertilize the egg and result in pregnancy. IUI can be a great alternative to IVF if your doctor feels it's right for you based on your unique needs and goals.
How IUI Works
IUI is all about timing. Your provider will work with you to monitor your cycle, which may include ultrasounds, home ovulation predictor kits, and potentially bloodwork. Most patients will also go on hormonal medications during that month to help with egg production and ovulation timing. Your IUI procedure will be scheduled based on your monitoring.
Sperm Prep: You and your provider will discuss beforehand whether you’ll be using fresh or frozen sperm. That sperm will then be “washed,” meaning the best-quality sperm will be isolated for fertilization.
The procedure takes about fifteen minutes total and does not require sedation or anesthesia. A tiny tube containing the prepared sperm is inserted into the vaginal canal, through the cervix, and into the uterus. After the sperm is in place, the catheter is removed. You might experience some slight discomfort or cramping while the sperm is being placed, but the procedure is typically not painful. Afterward you may experience spotting for a couple days.
You’ll take a pregnancy test two weeks after your IUI procedure. If you are pregnant, we’ll schedule a follow-up appointment. We know it can be emotionally challenging if the process isn’t successful the first time; however, it’s not uncommon to repeat IUI three or four times before conceiving. If you are not pregnant after 3-4 IUIs, we may schedule a visit to discuss other options. We are here to support you every step of the way.
Is IUI right for me?
IUI is an option for:
- Couples experiencing unexplained infertility, which is when you've been trying to conceive without success for six months or up to one year, depending on your age, and fertility testing hasn't led to a definitive cause
- Single women using donor sperm who don’t have needs that require IVF
- Lesbian couples and any person assigned female at birth who needs donor sperm and plans to carry the pregnancy
- Mild male factor infertility
- Those experiencing endometriosis, ovulatory issues, or cervical issues
IUI Success Pacific Northwest Fertility
Our providers perform over 1,000 IUIs every year.
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Paying for IUI
Though coverage for fertility care varies widely by insurance plan, the good news is that you have options. We are committed to guiding you through your insurance benefits, out-of-pocket expenses, and other financing options every step of the way. With Pacific Northwest Fertility you will never be in the dark about cost.
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Most patients experience little to no pain with IUI. The discomfort it can cause is similar to a pap smear and there might be some mild cramping after the procedure. You and your doctor can discuss taking acetaminophen to manage discomfort.
IUI is a low-risk procedure. If you also take an oral medication to enhance ovulation such as letrozole or clomiphene, there is a slightly higher chance of twins than with natural conception or single embryo transfer IVF.
IUI is one of the most affordable services available to fertility patients. The estimated cost of an IUI at Pacific Northwest Fertility ranges from $530-$2,000.