IVF vs. IUI: What's The Difference?

Getting pregnant, while easy for some, can be challenging for others. Over the years, assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) have evolved and have helped millions of couples struggling to start their families a chance at building one. Among these, there are two popular ones- intrauterine insemination (IUI) and in vitro fertilization (IVF). However, which option should you choose?

Key Takeaways

• Assisted reproductive technology therapies (ART) help couples dealing with infertility.
• IUI and IVF are the most popular types of both forms of ARTs
• Both IUI and IVF are performed differently and come with benefits and drawbacks. 
• Various couples try both forms throughout their fertility treatments.

IUI and IVF Compared

Both intrauterine insemination (IUI) and in vitro fertilization (IVF) are popular fertility treatments done by the healthcare professionals at Ivy Fertility. The two are similar in many ways and the professional healthcare providers at Ivy Fertility offer them as solutions depending on what each patient needs. 

What Is An IUI And How Does It Work?

Intrauterine insemination (IUI) is a type of artificial insemination where sperm is placed directly into a woman's uterus. This differs from natural conception where sperm has to travel from your vagina to your fallopian tubes to fertilize an egg. 

On average, only 5% of the sperm can travel from your vagina to your uterus. With the IUI, these chances are increased as the sperm is collected, washed, and concentrated so that only high-quality sperm remain. 

The washed sperm is placed directly into your uterus using a catheter (thin tube), ensuring the sperm are placed near your fallopian tubes to increase the chances of fertilization. This immensely cuts down on the time and distance the sperm has to travel to the fallopian tubes, increasing your chance of becoming pregnant.

IUI Target

The IUI is mainly offered as a solution to:

• Men who struggle to ejaculate or can’t sustain an erection. 
• Men who struggle with sperm impairments like small, weak, slow oddly shaped sperm or sperm that’s low in quantity. 
• Men who have suffered from testicular cancer.
• Women with cervical issues like excessively thick cervical mucus problems that make it hard for sperm to swim. 
• Women who struggle ovulating.
• Couples who choose to use donor sperm. This can be a great option for same-sex couples.
• Women who suffer from semen allergy. A semen allergy can cause burning, swelling, and redness in the vagina. 
• Unexplained infertility. Unexplained fertility happens refers to when healthcare providers can't find the reason why there’s infertility. 

How It Works

Many fertility specialists (depending on your individual circumstances) tend to start with the IUI before other fertility treatments. An IUI can be done with a partner’s sperm or with a donor's sperm. 

During the process, the female partner will be given fertility drugs for the growth of healthy eggs in the ovaries. are released during ovulation. However, many women choose to do the IUI the natural way, without ovarian stimulation. At the same time, the male partner’s sperm is prepared beforehand to concentrate it and remove less viable sperm and other unwanted materials. 

No anesthesia is needed and some individuals may experience symptoms including mild cramping or spotting for one or two days.

Though the process is less costly, studies have shown that some couples may need several cycles before the procedure is successful, having a lower success rate of around 10%-15% per cycle. Additionally, the process only works if the female partner has clear fallopian tubes and regularly ovulates. 

What Is IVF And How Does It Work?

In vitro fertilization (IVF) is a fertility treatment where healthy eggs from a female’s ovaries are retrieved and fertilized in a controlled environment. The fertilized egg is then monitored, and if healthy, it’s transferred to the uterus for implantation. 

IVF Target

IVF is a great option for:

• Women who have blocked fallopian tubes
• Women suffering from endometriosis
• Men with challenges with their sperm.
• Couples seeking to prevent single-gene disorders 
• LGBTQ+ couples starting a family.  
• Women wanting to donate their eggs
• Women with low egg supply and quality
• Men who have undergone a vasectomy

How IVF Works

IVF is a much longer process than IUI. Additionally, several medications can be used during a cycle of IVF including follicle-stimulating hormone (to stimulate your ovaries to produce eggs), human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) (to trigger your eggs to mature and set ovulation in motion), and leuprolide acetate (to control the stimulation process or be used as a trigger shot).

There are several stages in an IVF cycle. 

• Cycle regulation: The first step in the IVF cycle is to regulate the cycle using hormonal treatments. This treatment can be as simple as taking birth control medication.
• Ovarian stimulation: When the cycle is regular, the ovary is stimulated using hormonal injections. Ovarian stimulation ensures several mature eggs are released. The more the eggs, the higher the chances of a successful pregnancy. 
• Egg retrieval: When the egg follicles have reached the right size, a “trigger shot,” is given to help with the egg retrieval process. This shot contains human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) to fully mature. Once the eggs have developed to maturity, it is retrieved using a thin needle that is guided into the ovaries using an ultrasound. A suction device is used to extract the eggs. During the procedure, the healthcare provider will put the patient under light anesthesia. 
• Fertilization: The egg is then fertilized using a prepared sperm sample and taken to a lab for monitoring. The fertilized eggs or embryos are given a week to mature before they are either implanted in the uterus or frozen for future use. If the process is successful, the embryo will implant in the uterine wall and develop into a pregnancy. 

Unfortunately, the cost of IVF can be quite high ranging between $15,000 and $50,000 depending on the clinic and whether a sperm donor is used. This cost can even be out of pocket if insurance doesn’t cover it. The process also takes more time and can come with a physical and emotional load. 

Which Should You Choose?

Both IUI and IVF can result in healthy pregnancies and healthy babies. Choosing between the two should therefore be based on personal preference and challenges faced by the individual or couple. Many couples start with the IUI because it is less invasive and affordable and only move to IVF if it doesn’t take. 

A 2015 study continues to prove that IVF is more successful than the IUI, showing a 29.5% live birth rate, and the more rounds one did, the higher the chances of success increased. However, several factors can impact the success rates of IVF. 

Choosing between IUI and IVF depends on various factors, including your specific fertility issues, age, financial considerations, and personal preferences. Nevertheless, both are great fertility treatment options for couples struggling to conceive.