There are a number of alternatives to consider when it comes to fertility treatments depending on your and your spouse’s specific needs. While it is critical to communicate your unique circumstances with your IVF clinic, you should understand the distinctions between IUI and IVF.
What is IUI?
Intrauterine insemination, often known as artificial insemination, is a painless outpatient procedure. The physician inserts sperm that has been previously collected and processed into the uterine cavity. Before placement, the sperm is “washed” in the lab by removing seminal fluid and concentrating it.
IUI, which is minimally invasive, may be done with the help of fertility treatments to improve ovulation function or on her natural ovulation day. Ovulation predictor kits that are available over the counter can be used to determine when a woman is most likely to ovulate.
To avoid the cervix, the sperm is positioned higher in the uterine cavity, reducing the length of time it takes to travel through the fallopian tubes. The amount of viable sperm that may reach the egg is increased as a result.
What is IVF?
In vitro fertilization (IVF) is a type of assisted reproductive technology (ART) that involves combining a man’s sperm and a woman’s eggs outside of the body in a lab.
The woman receives fertility treatment, including hormonal treatment or surgery, in order to stimulate her ovaries and help them function more effectively. On the same day, egg retrieval is done under anaesthesia while the fertilization procedure is conducted with a partner.
The seed is kept wet with a damp cloth or similar item and planted in the testes. When it has reached the desired size, it is removed from the testes and placed in the scrotum.
What are the primary distinctions between IUI and IVF?
The primary distinction between IUI and IVF is that in IUI, fertilization occurs within the body. In other words, the sperm is directly inserted into the woman’s uterus. As a result, implantation follows if fertilization succeeds.
IVF is a process that starts with fertilization outside the womb, or in a lab. After the sperm and egg are combined, one or more of these successfully fertilized eggs may be inserted into the woman’s uterus. The fertilized egg ideally should implant in the uterine wall and result in a live baby of at least 40 weeks.
The success rate of artificial insemination is greater than that of IUI. Artificial insemination is less expensive and takes less effort than IVF. Many professionals recommend couples attempt three rounds of IUI before moving on to IVF.
According to the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology (SART), the IVF success rate in the United States is around 30% for women of all ages, but it rises to around 40% if the patient is under 35.