If you or a friend has been having trouble getting pregnant, chances are you have come across the term IUI, or Intrauterine Insemination. And you might have known that in this office procedure, the goal is to bypass the cervix and put the sperm directly inside the uterus, so as to increase the number of sperm that can potentially fertilize the egg.
In contrast to other procedures like IVF, which directly harvests the egg cells and attempts fertilization in vitro, IUI has several things going for it: it is less expensive, less invasive, and more "humanizing" (because the idea of a test tube baby is still unacceptable to some people). But, IUI does have its down side, and that is its relatively low success rate. In fact, that is precisely the reason why some couples opt to go for IVF directly, despite the cost.
However, before you write off the idea of getting an IUI, you should first know that IUI success rates are dependent on three major factors: ovulation induction (or superovulation), age and diagnosis. When it comes to ovulation induction (or OI), a woman who did not undergo treatment has a poorer chance of getting pregnant than someone who did. That is because there are more eggs that can be fertilized.
As for age, those who are between 27 to 30 years old have a 16% chance of getting pregnant, in contrast to women who are 35 years old (14%), or 40 years old (9%). That means if you are in the former age group, you can still opt for IUI, while if you are in the latter age group, then you might be better off considering IVF.
Finally, a woman who suffers from infertility primarily because of ovulatory dysfunction, or conditions like Polycystic Ovary Syndrome has the greatest chance of success through IUI. That is because OI will help restore her natural per cycle pregnancy rate. In contrast, if the woman suffers from infertility because of other conditions like endometriosis or constricted fallopian tubes, then IUI will do little to improve her chances. However, if the egg quality becomes the main problem, then even IVF might not be enough.
Therefore, if you are contemplating about IUI success rates, consider your overall condition first. If you are in your early 30s, with a diagnosis of PCOS for instance, you might be a good candidate. That is because given the right circumstances, IUI can be effective. And by undergoing the procedure, you do avoid some of the inherent risks with IVF. Consult your doctor to learn more. Good luck.
James Copper is a writer for IVFCtrstl.com where you can find help and advice on IUI and IVF
