IUI Success Rates

There are many ways to help people build families and experience the joys of parenthood. While in vitro fertilization (IVF) remains the most popular fertility treatment available today, it’s also possible to overcome infertility through intrauterine insemination (IUI). This form of artificial insemination is more advanced than previous versions of the procedure.

Dr. Joseph E. Martin and his team of San Antonio, TX fertility specialists would like to discuss the basics of IUI and how successful it is on average with patients.

How IUI Works

During IUI, sperm is taken from the father or a donor and washed in the lab. This separates the healthiest and most viable sperm and increases the chances of success. Women are usually given fertility drugs to boost the chances of pregnancy.

A catheter bypasses the cervix, allowing fertility doctors to inject sperm directly into the uterus. This reduces potential difficulties the sperm may face in accessing the fallopian tubes where a viable egg awaits fertilization.

What Is the Average IUI Success Rate?

According to estimates from the American Pregnancy Association, the success rates of IUI are about 20 percent per cycle. In other words, the average patient at the Fertility Center of San Antonio has a 1 in 5 chance of becoming pregnant through IUI.

There are numerous factors that can impact the success rate of IUI, but we’ll get to that in jut a moment.

How Do IUI Success Rates Compare to IVF?

According to WebMD, the pregnancy rates for IVF are roughly 27.3 percent. That success rate is higher since fertilization is achieved and ensured in a lab setting before transferring the viable embryo to the uterus. With that in mind, the success rates for IUI are generally good given the variables involved in treatment.

Factors That Affect IUI Success Rates

Some factors that impact the potential success of IUI include:

• Patient Age – Fertility rates are lower for patients who are in their late 30s and older. For the greatest chances of success, IUI should be performed on younger patients.
• Female-Factor Infertility – The type of female infertility issue being addressed could impact the success of IUI.
• Male-Factor Infertility – Issues with sperm quality and sperm motility can make IUI failure more likely, even with sperm washing.
• General Health Issues – General wellness problems can have a negative impact on fertility and the chances of pregnancy.
• Stress and Anxiety – Stress can result in a failed IUI or IVF cycle, which is unfortunate since there is an understandable amount of worry and anticipation when it comes to fertility treatments.

Is IUI the Right Option for Me?

IUI may be ideal for you, though for some patients IVF may be a better option. We can discuss various ways to increase the chances of success of IUI or IVF in greater detail during a consultation at our practice.

Learn More About IUI

For more information about IUI and how it can help you build a family, be sure to contact our skilled fertility doctors. You can reach the Fertility Center of San Antonio by phone at (210) 692-0577.