Deciding Between IUI and IVF
Nov 12, 2024
When you’ve been trying to get pregnant for over a year without success, it’s time to seek treatment. But what’s the best option for your needs: IUI or IVF? And how do you know one of these treatments is right for you, anyway?
Here at Gen 5 Fertility Center, we offer several options for infertility, including the revolutionary programs of IUI and IVF. It’s important to be able to differentiate between these two treatments so that you can determine if one might be effective for you.
Our providers — Dr. Samuel Wood, Dr. Benito Villanueva, and Dr. Martin Bastuba — are happy to answer your questions about IUI and IVF and help you begin the journey toward parenthood.
IUI and IVF are similar procedures, but with one big difference between them. IUI (intrauterine insemination) involves inserting healthy sperm into the uterus to allow for fertilization, while IVF (in vitro fertilization) combines the sperm and egg in a lab before implantation.
Both procedures involve taking medications to induce ovulation, allowing you to produce more mature eggs. The process is then either shorter (involving the insertion of the sperm, bypassing the cervix) or longer (involving removal of the mature eggs to fertilize and reinsert them later), depending on which treatment you choose.
They sound like similar treatments, and you may ask yourself, “How do I decide between them?” Because every patient is different, it’s important to discuss your specific situation with your provider, but overall, there are a few good rules of thumb to use.
First and foremost, the decision between IUI and IVF depends on your health and the underlying cause of infertility. Our team helps you understand your best options. If both IUI and IVF are viable solutions, you must consider additional factors.
You may want to start your fertility treatment journey with IUI because it’s less invasive than IVF and could potentially solve the issue more easily.
Still, some patients choose IVF first because it has a higher live birth rate and a shorter treatment cycle. In some cases, several rounds of IUI can be unsuccessful before a patient moves on to IVF.
Cost can also be a factor. IUI is generally less expensive than IVF but results in fewer live births and may take several rounds. If that concerns you, starting with IVF treatment could be more financially sound.
IVF and IUI aren’t the only treatments for fertility issues. Ovulation induction alone can sufficiently increase fertility in some instances and allow for natural fertilization. Other minor procedures that can manage issues like blocked tubes that make it difficult to conceive. It may also be helpful to receive a semen analysis.
We guide you through the diagnostic process and help you consider which treatments best suit your needs.
Call Gen 5 Fertility Center in San Diego, California, or book online to make an appointment.