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URWV6382

Should you try IUI before IVF?

4 weeks ago

We've been recommended to do IVF but it's so expensive. We're trying to save up and I'm wondering if we should atleast try IUI once since it's so much cheaper and we're both young (early 30s) with unexplained infertility?


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YEDX5295

1 day ago

It really depends upon your situation and the specific reason for your infertility.

While IUI is significantly cheaper than IVF and usually the first line of treatment in cases of unexplained infertility in young couples, it would be a total waste if your tubes are blocked or if you have ovarian insufficiency due to age or pre-mature ovarian failure.


Should I start with IUI or IVF?

IUI is recommended if you have:

  1. Open fallopian tubes
  2. Before the procedure, the physician will ensure that you have open fallopian tubes by conducting the HSG test (hysterosalpingogram). Your suitability for IUI is completely dependent on the patency of your tubes.
  3. Healthy ovulation
  4. IUI can be done only if you have a perfectly healthy production of eggs. Only after testing the cycle and hormonal levels, is the process begun.
  5. If you have minor ovulation issues, IUI may still be recommended with the aid of some drugs.
  6. Unfavorable cervical mucus
  7. The sperm needs to enter the uterus without any barriers. Cervical mucus makes natural conception challenging, whilst it has no effect on IUI procedure as the sperm is introduced directly into the uterus and not the cervix.
  8. Mild male-factor infertility
  9. If your infertility problems are attributed to minor male fertility issues such as slightly lowered sperm count or ejaculation problems, IUI may prove highly beneficial as the process involves introduction of a good concentration of healthy sperm into the uterus.
  10. Requirement of donor sperm
  11. In cases of azoospermia, where even surgical sperm extraction is not viable, using a donor’s sperm is recommended. If the female partner has no fertility issues and the requirement of the donor sperm is absolutely necessary, there is no need to consider IVF or ICSI.

For female couples of the same-sex, IUI may be performed with a donor’s sperm.

It has been noted that in an attempt to achieve pregnancy as soon as possible, clinics may be prematurely jumping to IVF, even in cases where the much-milder IUI could easily bring the desired results.


When should you skip IUI and go straight to IVF?

Despite being useful in many cases, IUI could be a total waste in some situations. You will be recommended to straight away go for IVF if you:

  1. Have blocked fallopian tubes
  2. Have an abnormal ovulation cycle
  3. Suffer from endometriosis.
  4. Suffer from some genetic disorders that require PGS/PGD screening for the embryos
  5. Need eggs from a donor
  6. Are in your late 30s, as fertility in women typically starts to decline around the age of 35 and the chances to succeed with IUI (and even IVF) are significantly lowered.

Even if all the factors related to your fertility are seemingly favorable, doctors usually recommend only three and not more than 5- 6 cycles of IUI before moving on to IVF.



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