IUI is often the first treatment step after fertility testing — simpler, gentler, and far less expensive than IVF. Understanding what it does (and doesn't do) makes the decision to try it, or to skip it, much clearer.
The idea in one line
Sperm is washed and concentrated in the lab, then placed directly into the uterus at ovulation — shortening the journey to the egg and ensuring the best swimmers start as close as possible. Fertilization itself still happens naturally, inside the body.
Who IUI genuinely helps
IUI makes sense when the fundamentals are intact — at least one open tube and a reasonable sperm count — but something makes the natural meeting less likely:
- Mild male-factor issues (slightly low count or movement)
- Cervical factors that block sperm at the gate
- Ovulation disorders being corrected with medication, where timing is everything
- Unexplained infertility, as a reasonable first escalation
- Situations using donor sperm
Who it doesn't help
With blocked tubes, severe male-factor infertility, or significantly diminished ovarian reserve, IUI's odds drop toward zero — the problem it solves isn't the problem present. In those cases, going directly to IVF is not aggressive; it's honest. Age matters too: the older the patient, the fewer cycles are worth spending on lower-probability treatment before escalating.
Realistic expectations
IUI's per-cycle success is modest — meaningfully lower than IVF — which is why it's usually offered as a short series of attempts (commonly up to three) rather than an open-ended plan. The right framing: a genuinely worthwhile first step for the right diagnosis, with a pre-agreed point at which the plan escalates rather than drifts.
Frequently asked
Is IUI painful?
It feels like a routine pelvic exam — a few minutes, no anaesthesia, back to normal activity immediately.
Do I need injections for IUI?
Not always. IUI can run on a natural cycle, with tablets, or with low-dose injections — depending on whether ovulation needs help in your case.
How many IUI attempts before moving on?
Commonly up to three well-timed cycles; continuing beyond that is discussed case by case, since most IUI successes happen within the first few attempts.