IVF vs. IUI

There are many reasons why people who want to have children are unable to. As it is, statistically, one stands a 15 to 25 percent chance of becoming pregnant naturally. If you add conditions and diseases to the equation, the odds begin to decline. Thankfully, in the last few decades, medical science has found ways around infertility through assisted reproductive technologies (ART) such as in vitro fertilization (IVF) and intrauterine insemination (IUI). 

IUI is typically chosen for its low cost, whereas IVF is chosen for its effectiveness. In this article, we shall compare both ARTs after which you can consult with your healthcare provider in order to decide which method will be the most effective for your family building plans. We shall outline both processes, their costs, as well as their success rates.

What Is IVF and IUI?

IVF and IUI are both ARTs that are employed when individuals or couples are struggling for one reason or another to become pregnant naturally. The treatments are similar in some ways but they also differ in other significant ways. Before undergoing any fertility treatment, one needs to have a consultation with a professional healthcare provider who will conduct some tests to ensure that the treatment of choice is the most suited to your circumstances. So let us get down to the details of each treatment.

IUI

IUI is also referred to as artificial insemination. After a consultation and tests determine that it is alright to proceed with an IUI treatment, the person who will be carrying the pregnancy to term will begin their treatment. Hormones in the form of medications and injections will be administered in order to stimulate the ovary to develop an egg to maturity. As well, the uterus will be prepared to carry the pregnancy.

In IUI treatments, the sperm sample used is typically selected either from a third party donor or a partner. The sperm will undergo a process called a sperm wash that removes unwanted elements from the semen, as well as the less viable sperm. During insemination, a catheter is used to insert the sperm sample into the uterus. The process is fairly quick and painless, after which a pregnancy test done after two weeks confirms pregnancy. 

IVF

After consulting with a professional healthcare provider and tests confirm that the IVF treatment can proceed, the patient will go through several phases. The first being medications to control menstruation. This typically consists of estrogen supplements or birth control pills and is known as ovarian suppression. This step is vital as it allows a healthcare provider to time the egg retrieval stage with better accuracy.

Once the ovarian suppression is complete, the ovaries undergo a process of stimulation which makes them develop multiple follicles to maturity, so that a group of eggs can be retrieved at one go. The follicles must develop to a certain size before they are triggered to reach full maturity using a final hormone injection. 

The third stage is to retrieve the eggs which is done using an ultrasound for visibility and a thin needle to perforate the follicles, and extract the eggs. During the procedure, a light anesthesia is administered to the patient. When the eggs are retrieved, they are usually fertilized immediately. 

The final stage involves first letting the embryos mature independently in a controlled lab setting for about a week. They are then inserted right into the uterus and a test is done after about 10 days to confirm pregnancy. When there are unused embryos, they are usually stored frozen and used for future IVF treatments.

Which Treatment Is Right for You?

After a consultation with a professional healthcare provider and several tests are run, determining the right course of treatment can be done. When an individual or couple are having challenges with unexplained infertility IUI may be a good treatment option. 

If after several rounds of IUI an individual or couple are still unable to become pregnant, the next best option would be IVF. IVF has also been a first choice for people when the person who will be carrying the pregnancy has severe endometriosis or is over 38 years old. 

Comparatively IUI costs less than IVF. The procedure itself is also less invasive than IVF. This makes it an appealing option for those who are beginning their family building journey using ARTs. Although IVF may cost more than IUI, it has been found to have a much higher success rate. 

In Conclusion

ART treatments have provided hope for individuals and couples who desire to build their families but struggle with infertility. The costs of IUI treatments range from a few hundred to $4,000 per round, while those of IVF are about $20,000 per round on average. Where IUI has been reported to have a a 12% chance of success, IVF has been reported to have a 60% chance. If you are undecided about which treatment plan to start with as a first option, consulting with a professional healthcare provider such as Ivy Fertility.