Fertility Research Center

All About Artificial Insemination Success Rates

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by Attain Fertility Health Desk

Are you considering artificial insemination to get pregnant? Well, listen up! We have got the scoop on artificial insemination success rates for you here.

Two types of artificial insemination
If you have been paying attention to infertility websites lately, you may have noticed a lot of people talking about IUI. Intrauterine insemination (IUI) is the most common and popular form of artificial insemination. The other type of artificial insemination is called intracervical insemination (ICI).

IUI success rates
Many people are achieving pregnancy with IUI. In fact,

  • IUI success rates range from 10 to 20 percent for one cycle.
  • IUI success rates are as high as 86 percent after multilple cycles (this rate is for those using donor sperm).

Intrauterine insemination may be used in conjunction with a process called superovulation. 

  • IUI success rates with superovulation are at 5 percent per cycle for women over 40.
  • IUI success rates with superovulation are at 10 percent per cycle for women ages 35 to 40.
With superovulation, your doctor will give you fertility drugs that allow your eggs to produce multiple eggs in one cycle. This method increases IUI success rates for women over 35.

The IUI process increases artificial insemination success rates. During the IUI process, sperm is deposited up into the uterus. Before this can happen, a very specialized process occurs called sperm washing. Your partner's sperm, or a donor's sperm, will be specially processed and washed before the IUI procedure. This sperm-washing process increases the chances of pregnancy success.

ICI success rates
You just don't hear as much about intracervical insemination (ICI) these days. ICI is less popular, and has lower rates of success than IUI.

The ICI process involves the injection of non-washed sperm into the cervix, instead of the uterus. One study reports that women using donor sperm with ICI face a 50 percent chance of success after multiple cycles. Note: Make sure you do not confuse ICI with ICSI. Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is a procedure that takes place with in vitro fertilization (IVF).

Find a fertility doctor who specializes in artificial insemination

Ask your doctor about your personal chances of success with artificial insemination. And know that every couple has such a different fertility journey. Your personal health, combined with your partner's personal health, will affect your success rates.

If you or your partner are dealing with infertility, artificial insemination may be just what you need to get pregnant.

Ask a doctor about artificial insemination

Keep reading to learn more about whether you can increase the chances of success with artificial insemination.

Sources: RESOLVE. Using Donor Sperm. http://www.resolve.org/family-building-options/donor-options/using-donor-sperm.html American Pregnancy Association. Intrauterine Insemination. http://www.americanpregnancy.org/infertility/iui.html American Society for Reproductive Medicine: Age and Fertility http://www.asrm.org/uploadedFiles/ASRM_Content/Resources/Patient_Resources/Fact_Sheets_and_Info_Booklets/agefertility.pdf

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