IUI (Intrauterine Insemination)

For couples struggling with infertility, intrauterine insemination (IUI) is one of the most common and straightforward treatments available. 

IUI is a procedure where sperm is inserted directly into the uterus around the time of ovulation, increasing the chance of conception.

Our experienced infertility specialist offers IUI treatments from our office in Bellingham, WA. 

What Does IUI Stand For?

IUI stands for Intrauterine Insemination.

The full term breaks down as:

• Intra - meaning within or inside
• Uterine - referring to the uterus 
• Insemination - inserting semen to attempt fertilization

So Intrauterine Insemination literally means inserting sperm directly into the uterus to facilitate conception and pregnancy.

This can be contrasted with natural insemination where sperm travels from the vagina through the cervix and into the uterus on its own after sexual intercourse.

With IUI, the washed and concentrated sperm sample is placed closer to the egg through a catheter that goes through the cervix and deposits the semen in the uterine cavity. 

This gives the sperm a "head start" and higher numbers of sperm closer to the site of fertilization.

So in summary, IUI is the medical term referring to the fertility procedure of artificially inseminating a woman's uterus with sperm in the hopes of achieving pregnancy. It's one of the most common assisted reproductive treatments used for infertility.

How Does IUI Work?

The IUI process begins by monitoring the woman’s cycle to determine the optimal time for insemination when one or more eggs are ready for fertilization. 

Medications may be prescribed to stimulate the ovaries to produce multiple eggs.

Once mature follicles are detected, the woman will be instructed to take a trigger shot of hCG hormone to release the eggs from the ovaries. The man will provide a semen sample on the same day. The semen is then "washed" in the lab to isolate the healthiest sperm.

For the IUI procedure itself, the washed sperm sample is drawn up into a thin, flexible catheter. The catheter is then gently inserted through the cervix into the uterus. This places the sperm cells in ideal proximity to the egg(s) for fertilization to potentially occur.

When is IUI Recommended? 

IUI (intrauterine insemination) is typically recommended in several common fertility situations:

Unexplained Infertility

For couples who have been unable to conceive after 12 months of trying (6 months if the woman is over 35) with no identified cause, IUI is often the first treatment option. The concentrated sperm sample can sometimes help overcome unexplained fertility issues.

Low Sperm Count/Motility

IUI is frequently recommended for cases of mild to moderate male factor infertility where the sperm count, motility, or morphology is less than ideal for pregnancy. The sperm-washing process isolates the best-quality sperm.

Ovulation Problems

Women who don't ovulate regularly or have ovulation dysfunction may use fertility drugs along with IUI to increase their chances. IUI ensures the sperm meets the egg at the ideal time.

Cervical Factor

Some women have structural issues like cervical mucus hostility that makes it difficult for sperm to travel through the cervix. IUI bypasses this obstacle.

Donor Sperm

IUI is a common method used for intrauterine insemination with donor sperm for single women or same-sex couples seeking pregnancy.

Women Over 35

As women get older, especially over 35, IUI offers an effective and less invasive option compared to IVF for enhancing fertility.

Generally, IUI is viewed as more straightforward and less expensive than IVF. It is usually attempted first for many fertility cases before considering more advanced treatments like IVF if IUI is unsuccessful after several cycles. 

Specific recommendations depend on factors like age, underlying condition, ovarian reserve, and prior fertility treatments.

How Successful is IUI?

One study analyzing more than 4,200 insemination cycles, found the overall pregnancy rate per cycle was around 13%, with the following variances based on age: 

• Women Under 30: 17.6%
• Women 31-35: 13.6%
• Women 36-40: 9.1%
• Women Over 40: 5.4% 

In addition to age, the IUI success rate depends on other factors, like ovarian reserve and the underlying cause of infertility. 

How Much Does IUI Cost?

The cost of an IUI cycle can range from around $300 to $1,000 without insurance, depending on factors like medications, ultrasound monitoring, and any additional testing required. 

At Mt. Shuksan Family Medicine and Dermatology, we strive to keep our IUI pricing straightforward and affordable. A basic IUI cycle with oral fertility drugs and routine monitoring may cost $400-600 out-of-pocket. 

Cycles using injectable fertility medications like Clomid or gonadotropins can be $800-1,200.

These are just general estimates, as every patient's treatment plan is individualized based on their needs and hormone levels. 

We will provide personalized cost estimates for your specific IUI protocol after the initial consultation. We also help patients navigate their insurance coverage for IUI to reduce out-of-pocket responsibility.

Is IUI Covered by Insurance?

Insurance coverage for IUI can vary depending on your specific plan. Many insurers will cover some portion of IUI costs, especially initial rounds of treatment. 

Fertility benefits often have limits on how many IUI cycles are covered. 

Our staff can help review your insurance benefits for infertility services after your visit.

Is IUI Painful? 

The IUI procedure itself is not painful, though some women report mild cramping. The process of monitoring the cycle and giving yourself injections or medications can be uncomfortable for some patients. That said, IUI is considered much less invasive than other fertility treatments like IVF.

IUI vs IVF

IUI and IVF are two different approaches to fertility treatment. IUI is less complex, less expensive, and less invasive. With IUI, the sperm is inserted into the uterus with the hope that it will fertilize the egg naturally. 

IVF (in vitro fertilization) involves combining the eggs and sperm outside of the body in a lab and then transferring the embryo into the uterus. IVF has higher success rates per cycle but is much more costly and requires greater physical demands.

IUI is often tried first for couples with unexplained infertility or less severe fertility factors like low sperm count or ovulation issues. If IUI is unsuccessful after several cycles, IVF may be recommended, especially for women over 35 or those with tubal factor, male factor, or diminished ovarian reserve infertility.

IUI Services at Mt. Shuksan Family Medicine and Dermatology

At Mt. Shuksan Family Medicine and Dermatology, we provide comprehensive fertility evaluations and treatments like IUI to help patients achieve their dream of starting a family. 

Our fertility services are led by Michele Ingram, WHNP-BC, REIC - a Board Certified Women's Health Nurse Practitioner and Reproductive Endocrine and Infertility Certified specialist.

Patients appreciate Michele's empathetic approach to care as she guides them through evaluating and managing infertility concerns. Her goal is to empower patients through education and support during the family planning process.

Michele has preceptored for several nurse practitioner programs including the University of Washington, Gonzaga, Seattle Pacific, and more. She is an active member of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Women's Health, the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, and the North American Menopause Society.

Whether you are just starting to try to conceive or have been struggling with infertility, we offer personalized fertility care including IUI, ovulation monitoring, male factor testing, and more.

Schedule a consultation to explore your family-building options.

Key Terms Related to IUI 

Fertility Drugs (Clomid, Letrozole, gonadotropins) - Medications that stimulate ovulation for IUI cycles.

IUI - Intrauterine insemination, a fertility procedure where washed and concentrated sperm is inserted directly into the uterus around ovulation.

Luteal Phase - The two-week window after ovulation when conception is possible.

Male Factor Infertility - A cause of infertility originating from low sperm production, motility problems, etc.  

Morphology - Refers to the size, shape, and appearance of individual sperm.

Motility - The ability of sperm to swim in a forward or progressive motion. 

Ovarian Reserve - Refers to the quality and quantity of a woman's remaining egg supply.  

Ovulation Induction - Using oral or injectable fertility medications to stimulate the ovaries to release one or more mature eggs.

Semen Analysis - Testing to evaluate sperm count, morphology (shape), and motility.

Sperm Washing - Laboratory process to isolate and concentrate the healthiest, most motile sperm from a semen sample.

Trigger Shot - An injection of hCG hormone given to induce ovulation once optimal follicle size is reached.

Tubal Factor Infertility - Infertility caused by blocked, damaged, or absent fallopian tubes making egg retrieval or transport difficult.

Two-Week Wait (2WW) - The time between insemination and taking a pregnancy test.