IUI stands for IntraUterine Insemination. In this process, sperm are washed and concentrated, after which they are injected directly into the uterus. The advantage of intrauterine insemination is that a significantly larger number of sperm make it into the fallopian tubes, whereas with sexual intercourse, the majority of sperm do not make it up the female genital tract.

Who should consider IUI?

IUI is generally recommended if you and your partner have no known causes of infertility but have been trying (unsuccessfully) to have a baby for a year or more. It is also generally recommended that you and your partner are both thoroughly checked for possible causes of infertility, since just one fertility problem can make IUI pointless (e.g., if you have blocked or severely damaged tubes, IUI will not help you). The following are situations in which IUI can help you have a child:

• Your partner has normal sperm count, mobility, and morphology. This means that he has a reasonable number of sperm per cc of semen, an adequate percentage of his sperm are moving, and his sperm have normal shape. In some states, your partner must also be tested for infectious diseases to ensure that they are not communicated to you or the child.
• You have an ovulatory disorder but respond well to fertility drugs (see ovulation induction). Fertility drugs will stimulate ovulation, and intrauterine insemination can be scheduled accordingly. Fertility drugs are often used even if you do not have an ovulatory disorder.
• You have endometriosis but your pelvic structures are healthy and undistorted.

back to top

Intrauterine Insemination Cost

The cost of an intrauterine insemination range from $300 to $1500.

By FertilityProRegistry Staff
Updated: April 27, 2007