IUI vs IVF

When you first hear the word “infertile,” you may feel tremendously overwhelmed. This vision of how your life will turn out that you had always held in mind felt threatened at this moment.

You hear strange names and options, IUI vs IVF, Embryo transfer, Egg donation and etc. you should decide and choose the best path. Among these decisions, financial considerations, trusting specialists, self-control and conquering your stress to get the best result, and many other factors can overshadow the whole case.

Making the greatest choice requires having an authentic approach, which can be achieved by reading comprehensive and understandable articles.

In this TebMedTourism post, we thoroughly compare IUI vs IVF, including information on IUI vs IVF expenses, the stages involved in the IUI vs IVF treatments and medications, IUI vs IVF potential side effects, IUI vs IVF success rates, and other helpful comparisons.

What is IUI vs IVF?

The terminology used in these two reproduction processes (IUI vs IVF) should be familiar in the first step. To get acquainted with these two complicated procedures, IUI vs IVF, reading the following passage is so path-breaker!

What is IUI?

In intrauterine insemination (IUI), a type of artificial insemination, sperm is injected directly into the uterus of the patient.

Naturally, sperm must move from a woman’s vagina through her cervix, then into her uterus, and finally to her fallopian tubes during a natural conception. The egg leaves the woman’s ovary and moves to her fallopian tube. The sperm and egg meet here, and fertilization takes place.

The sperm are gathered, cleaned, and concentrated during IUI so that only high-quality sperm are left. This sperm is transferred nearer to the woman’s fallopian tubes by being inserted straight into her uterus with a catheter (thin tube). The sperm can more easily reach the egg during IUI.

IUI reduces the amount of time and distance that the sperm must travel in order to reach an egg. Your chances of getting pregnant rise as a result.

IUI step by step

A typical cycle of intrauterine insemination involves taking medicine to encourage the production of eggs, followed by a quick method that involves injecting prepared sperm straight into the uterus at the time of ovulation.

At a glance, you can see all the steps:

Step 1: Attaching a long, thin, flexible tube to the end of a vial carrying a sample of healthy sperm.

Step 2: The catheter will be placed through the cervical hole, the vagina, and the uterus. The catheter will boost sperm concentration at the site of fertilization by carrying washed spermatozoa past the cervical mucus barrier and into the uterine cavity.

Step 3: injecting a sample of sperm into the uterus through the tube.

Step 4: removing the speculum and then the catheter.

IUI Process

Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) is one of the assisted reproductive treatments (ART) in which a sperm is injected directly into the uterus. For getting the best result, this procedure is done around day 14 of the woman’s menstrual cycle. For doing this process, the specialist uses a catheter to pass the cervical canal and inject the sperm into the top of uterus.

IUI process, by reducing the distance that sperm needs to travel to get to the egg, helps insemination happen with a higher chance of success. IUI increases the quantity of sperms at the junction of the uterus and fallopian tubes in order that the space that sperm must swim to inseminate the egg is shorter and as the result, the chance of pregnancy goes higher. Here are some common steps of the IUI process:

• IUI Preparation: before starting the IUI process, couples can improve their general health by taking supplements and have a healthy diet. They can also take advantage of regular exercise and holistic therapies such as massage and acupuncture. This way, they can improve the quality of gametes to get the best results from the IUI procedure. It is better to consider 90 days for the preparation time.

• Egg Development: this step can be done either via the use of medications to develop and ovulate eggs or use the woman’s natural egg and takes almost 5-14 days. Once follicles are in optimal size, medication may be given to trigger the ovulation. This phase may or may not be accompanied by a blood test and ultrasound.

• Insemination: insemination should be done close to the ovulation day. In this phase, the male partner usually gives a sample of sperm at the office. The sample would be washed to enhance the quality of the sperm and then it would be injected into the top of the uterus via the use of a catheter. The insemination phase only takes a few minutes. After the procedure, the patient may experience mild cramping.

• Post Procedure: the blood pregnancy test will be positive in two weeks if the IUI procedure is successful. Once, the fetus’s heartbeat is detected, there is a 90-95 % chance of resulting in a live birth.

IVF Process

In vitro fertilization (IVF) is one of the most practical forms of infertility treatment that has helped so many couples to have their own child. During an IVF cycle, medication starts around 10 days before the procedure. When the eggs have developed, they are retrieved and inseminated in a lab. Then the embryos are implanted into the woman’s uterus. Here we explain IVF steps:

• Treatment preparation: before starting the procedure, just like IUI, you can improve your general health by taking supplements and following a healthy diet. You can also take advantage of holistic therapies and regular exercise to enhance your health and the quality of your gametes.

• Ovarian stimulation: for increasing the quantity and quality of eggs, you receive stimulation medications. This usually starts during the days 2-4 of your cycle and should be continued for almost 10 days. During this period, your uterine lining, follicular development, and hormone levels are monitored. When the follicles are at their optimal size, a trigger medication is prescribed to mature the eggs.

• Egg retrieval and sperm collection: about 35 hours after the trigger shot, the egg retrieval procedure occurs. It is usually done under light anesthesia and takes about 5-10 minutes. During the retrieval procedure, the specialist pushes a tiny hollow needle into the vagina wall to an ovary. The developed eggs taken from the ovaries are immediately transferred to the laboratory to be fertilized via the sperm sample that is collected the same day. For enhancing the quality of the sperm, they are washed and get ready for fertilizing the eggs.

• The laboratory: the retrieved eggs and sperms are fertilized in the laboratory by an embryologist. Then they are grown for 3-5 days. If it is necessary, they are screened for genetic disorders and can go through gender selection.

• Embryo transfer: during this step, the embryologist puts 1 or 2 embryos into the recipient’s uterus through a small catheter. If there are other embryos left, they can be frozen for future use.

• Post-procedure: for improving the implantation and pregnancy rates, you probably need to take progesterone and estrogen drugs. The pregnancy blood test results will be positive after 2 weeks if the pregnancy is successful. Ultrasound can be used for checking the heartbeat and implantation site.

Difference between IUI and IVF

As you can see from the information and data in the previous sections, there are a lot of clear distinctions between IUI and IVF. Both in terms of methodology and the best candidate.

IUI vs IVF will also be assessed concerning the cost, success rate, and side effects.

IUI vs IVF price

“Is IUI cheaper than IVF?” the answer to this question is an absolute yes!

As in previous sections, we described all steps of IUI vs IVF; an IUI cycle costs roughly $1,000, not counting medicine but includes all monitoring and the insemination procedure. On the other hand, an IVF cycle costs between $12,000 and $20,000, not counting medication. This includes all monitoring, egg retrieval, and embryo transfer.

So such clear differences between the costs of IUI and IVF will turn the IUI treatment into the first option for many couples with appropriate conditions for using IUI to grow their family.

IUI vs IVF success rates

An IVF cycle costs more than an IUI cycle, which is why many patients are hesitant to go through this procedure. However, because IVF has higher success rates than IUI, for some patients, it may be worth it.

The following there are some facts about IUI vs IVF success rates over 35 that could be effective in choosing the proper reproduction fertility method:

Women with under 35: the IUI success rate is 13%, and the IVF success rate is 54%.

For women between 35-37: the IUI success rate is 10%, and the IVF success rate is 40%.

For women between 38-40: the IUI success rate is 7%, and the IVF success rate is 26%.

Women over 40: the IUI success rate is 4%, and IVF success rate is 8%.

As always, age is a key factor in determining the success rates of infertility treatment procedures. The common feature of both methods is that the number of cycles must increase with increasing age to get a high success rate!

IUI or IVF which is better

IVF obviously has higher pregnancy rates, but it requires a little more work and medication and has very good rates. On the other hand, IUI is cheaper than IVF and for couples with financial limitations is a better choice.

IUI may be helpful for couples with unexplained infertility or women having issues developing cervical mucus. As previously mentioned, women who have damaged or blocked fallopian tubes should avoid it.

Overall for both methods, the patient should be in generally good health; if there are fluctuations in hormone levels, the procedure will be going on after prescribing some drugs and getting the hormones to the natural level. Wellness issues might adversely impact fertility.

So after weighing all effecting factors, the wellness, price, age and success rate, the best way to ensure you make the right choice is to pay attention to fertility specialist advise.

when to use IUI vs IVF

The most crucial queries include ” when should you not do IUI?” and ” How many times do you do IUI before IVF?” as well as ” Should I try IUI or go straight to IVF?” verifying the medical histories of the intended parents is necessary for appropriate responses to these questions.

For instance, if a woman has one of the following conditions, she won’t be a good candidate for IUI and will instead be switched to the IVF procedure and other reproductive treatments like surrogacy.

However, if male infertility issues are detected, and the partner’s sperm count or motility are both low, the IUI procedure will be suggested to the infertility patients.

You and your fertility doctor will decide when to switch from IUI to IVF.

Bad candidate for successful IUI

You may not be an IUI candidate if:

• Your fallopian tubes are blocked, either one or both.
• You have a decreased ovarian reserve or are in menopause. As women mature, this occurs more frequently.
• If the sperm count or motility of sperm is extremely low, severe male infertility may be an issue.
• Your endometriosis is severe.

IUI is a good option for:

• Ovulatory factor infertility
• Male factor infertility (mild)
• Ejaculation dysfunction
• Cervical factor infertility
• Sperm allergy
• Single and lesbian women who need donor sperm
• Unexplained infertility

IVF is a good option for:

• Damage or blockage of the fallopian tube
• History of tubal ligation
• Semen abnormalities
• Genetic disorders
• Those who want gender section
• Old women whose age or ovarian reserve may be a concern
• Same-sex couples who want to use donor gametes
• Uterine fibroids
• Endometriosis
• Unexplained infertility

Bad candidate for successful IVF

You may not be an IVF candidate if:

• Fibroid tumors
• Ovarian dysfunction
• Abnormal hormone levels
• Uterine abnormalities

IUI and IVF Side Effects

Even though IUI and IVF procedures both have so many advantages, they may have some side effects just like the other medications. These side effects include:

• Hot flashes
• Bloating
• Mood swings
• Breast tenderness
• Ovarian cysts
• Painful and swollen ovaries
• Nausea
• Headache
• Pain and bruise on injections area
• Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS)
• Multiple pregnancies
• Loss of appetite
• Mild pelvic and abdominal pain

You can read more about IUI and IVF Side Effects and how the side effects can be reduced in our previous article.

 IVF and IUI in Iran

Now, Iran is one of the most common countries for infertility treatment in the Middle East. There are various medical services available in Iran to help patients receive high-quality medical treatment services internationally. Here, with the help of the TebMedTourism healthcare facilitator, you do not need to be worried about the costs either. We can help you overcome your fertility issue with the most affordable prices and start your dream family with your lovely newborn. For further questions, you can consult with our experts now, free of charge.

IUI vs IVF cost in Iran

One cycle IUI in Iran by TebMedTourism agency is about a few hundred dollars to $1250.

One cycle IVF in Iran by TebMedTourism agency is roughly $2800.

Only focusing on price is not intellectual; considering determining aspects, including the rate of a successful pregnancy, live birth, high-tech lab and clinics, high accuracy of doctors, and many involving factors, is so important.

Trusting a skilled and experienced agency in fertility treatments and medical tourism, with a rate of successful pregnancy more than the global rate, like TebMedTourism, is the best decision you’ve ever made.

You may like to read : WHICH IVF PROTOCOL IS THE BEST?

About TebMedTourism company

TebMedTourism Company is an International healthcare facilitator based in Tehran, Iran.

We start our professional activity in medical tourism industry regarding the profound capability of Iran in both healthcare & touristic fields.

We are ready with open arms to provide desirable services to our dear patients & guests from all over the world to enjoy world-class treatment quality and highly skilled doctors in Iran.

TebMedTourism company is cooperating with more than 40 internationally certified hospitals, 140 selected local hospitals, 300 specialized medical centers, 430 doctors, 112 hotels, domestic and international airlines in Tehran, Shiraz, Mashhad, Tabriz, Qom and other cities in Iran.

TebMedTourism team facilitates comprehensive medical & cosmetic packages in all medical & wellness & touristic fields aimed to achieve your desires.

TebMedTourism experienced team will make this procedure seamless and enjoyable from A to Z, so you will just focus on your recovery.