Want to read about the latest intrauterine insemination (IUI) statistics? Let’s review some IUI success rates to see if intrauterine insemination (IUI) may help you get pregnant.
The IUI success rates are high
The good news is IUI statistics are high. Findings show that couples have an 86% chance of getting pregnant with IUI. It’s important to remember, however that it often takes several cycles to work.
If you review IUI statistics for one cycle, the chances of getting pregnant drop to 10-20%. This rate is similar to (or slightly lower than) the natural pregnancy rate of most healthy, fertile couples.
IUI success rates and younger women
As with most fertility procedures, IUI statistics are highest for younger women under 35. Women between 35 and 40 have a 10% chance of getting pregnant with a cycle.
Once you turn 40, your chances of getting pregnant during one cycle of IUI with ovulation medications drop to 5%.
Medications increase IUI success rates
Taking fertility drugs and having your ovulation cycles closely monitored may help to boost the IUI statistics for you. Your doctor may prescribe clomiphene citrate (Clomid) to stimulate ovulation before IUI and boost your personal IUI success rate.
If Clomid doesn’t help you get pregnant, there are injectable medications available that are used with IUI. For instance, human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and menotropins may be given to stimulate ovulation and help your eggs mature. Then, insemination is performed about 1-2 days after the hCG injection.
Women that have tried IUI with Clomid and/or injectables for 3-6 cycles, and have not gotten pregnant should discuss other options with their physicians.
Healthy sperm boost IUI statistics
One reason for the high IUI success rates is attributed to the washing and preparation of the sperm before insemination. During this washing, toxins are removed from the semen and sperm. These toxins may cause an allergic reaction in some women that can hinder pregnancy.
During the washing process, the weaker sperm are separated from the stronger and healthier sperm. Then, the healthy sperm are concentrated into a high volume in the insemination sample, boosting IUI success rates.
Some doctors believe that performing two inseminations during one cycle increases IUI success rates. Others find the additional IUI process does affect pregnancy rates.
IUI success rates lower than IVF
Intrauterine insemination is a relatively affordable fertility treatment, and may seem much more appealing than in vitro fertilization (IVF). Still, per cycle, IUI success rates are not as high as IVF.
When you weigh the benefits of IUI, including lower cost, lower time involvement, and lower stress, you can see why many couples opt to try IUI first. Because age impacts IUI statistics, couples over 35 may want to talk to their physician to see if IVF is a better option. For some couples, the journey to a healthy pregnancy is often long and arduous. Thankfully, modern science is allowing many infertile couples to have children using the latest high-tech treatments.
Sources: American Fertility Association “Gay Man, Gay Dad: Gay Men Can Become Fathers” American Pregnancy Association “Intrauterine Insemination: IUI” American Society for Reproductive Medicine “Age and Fertility: A Guide for Patients” “Report on varicocele and infertility” “Medications for Inducing Ovulation: A Guide for Patients” Dr. Scott Roseff (From International Council on Infertility Information Dissemination, Inc): “Overview of Fertility Medications” International Council on Infertility Information Dissemination, Inc “General Infertility FAQ” Resolve “Medical Aspects of Donor Insemination”
