IUI vs. IVF, which one is better?

It is not always as easy as it seems to get pregnant for a few couples. Difficulty conceiving a baby is not always associated with explained infertility as unexplained factors can also be responsible. 

Nowadays, Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) and in vitro fertilisation (IVF) are the two top most desired fertility treatments. In vitro fertilisation is a better option than Intra uterine Insemination because the success rate of a healthy pregnancy and live birth is recorded higher with IVF. Approximately 8 million babies have been documented using IVF since 1978.

IVF and IUI are great treatments, especially for males with infertility issues as concerns regarding poor semen quality and low sperm count is no longer a concern. Moreover, the blockage in the fallopian tubes and lessening hormonal levels in women are other factors that can be resolved with these options. But your physician will take a deep look into your case, including physical examination and some fertility tests, and then decide the method to adopt. 

What is IUI?

Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) is simply an introduction of sperm to the female reproductive tract, i.e., the uterus. However, IVF is a lengthy procedure where a specialist plays with the ovarian cycle, specifically stimulation of the egg, retrieval, in vitro fertilisation, and insemination. This IUI procedure is mediated along with the stimulation of ova production to increase the likelihood of conception.

It is a very simple procedure where the sperms are washed before use to elevate the level of sperm concentration, and after that, the speculum is inserted via the cervix, and sperms are placed straight into the body of the uterus. The correct time for ovulation is significant. This usually is done in the mid of the menstrual cycle, and follicle size is monitored using ultrasonography. A follicle greater than 14 mm is considered healthy ova, and the chances of conception increase when the size reaches up to 22 mm. 

According to research conducted by Roy Homburg in 2022, IUI is a better option. Three rounds of IUI, when compared with one round of IVF, yields results in case of unexplained infertility as IUI is comparatively less invasive and not costly. Without ovarian stimulation, the chances of birth rate are satisfactory. Moreover, it is also considered good for women under the age of 38, as age directly affects the results of either method you choose.

Order a Welzo Instant Ovulation Test to determine your ovulation status.

What is IVF?

When we talk about IVF, it’s a different and multi-step procedure. A normal body produces a single ovum per month. However, in this process, a female is administered hormones that trigger the production of ova from one to multiple follicles. The follicles are then extracted and inseminated with sperm in the laboratory. A single round takes 21 days to complete. The procedure can be assisted with eggs and sperm of your own choice; therefore, the IVF protocol encourages single parents as well. Suppose the female's own body is not suitable for carrying a baby due to malformation in the body of the uterus or downregulation of hormones. In that case, IVF gives a chance for surrogacy.

Surrogacy is a procedure where a healthy candidate volunteers to carry the donor’s embryo and has been paid for all the grocery and medical expenses. 

The candidates can freeze their embryos using this IVF procedure for future use. It is astonishing to know that frozen embryos are now donated and will be purchased by couples who desire a child.

Read more: What is reciprocal IVF?

Which procedure is more costly?

IVF is an expensive process because of the use of several laboratory tests, medications and an immense skill set. However, IUI is way more cost-effective. Keeping in view, stimulated IUI, unstimulated IUI and Clomifene stimulated IUI are collectively cheaper than IVF. It is estimated that $20,000 will be spent on one cycle of IVF. So, considering the factors such as medical history, age and health status, IUI is the first choice for a physician.

Read more: How much is IVF?

The success rate of IVF vs IUI

The physician first goes with the IUI treatment for at least three rounds if the egg production is normal and there are only mild male fertility issues. But overall, IVF is the best option as this protocol evaluates the embryo’s liveability status. According to research conducted by Maitane Alonso de Mendieta, he stated that IUI is 20% more successful, whereas IVF is remarkably successful at 70%. But the success rate varies with age. The females aged between 25-35 years have a 49% success rate, while between 35 to 45 years is around 30%.

Limitations in IVF:

The following are the factors that limit the success of IVF, such as the compromised quality of sperm or ova tested, the ova that is retrieved being immature, or the embryos are not implanted successfully, which is the most common cause of failure.

What are the benefits of IUI?

What are the pros of IUI?

• It is cost-effective and can allow people to save a lot of money compared to IVF.
• It is less invasive means it gives you little physical trauma. The pain is less.
• Less labour is required by the physicians as the process is relatively short, and the procedure can occur in a clinic.
• It is extremely beneficial in the case of mild male infertility, where the sperm parameters are not aggressively abnormal. 
• It does not need an extensive setup.
• It takes place in 10 min minimum.

What are the benefits of IVF?

IVF has several benefits:

• It is suitable for those with a high level of male infertility.
• It can be a more successful option for women with poor egg quality or those who produce fewer hormones 
• Suitable for women with endometriosis and uterine fibroids.
• It is beneficial for women with blocked fallopian tubes and women with a history of multiple miscarriages
• It facilitates surrogacy. Women with endometrial problems or with issues regarding hormones, their body is incapable of a foetus to grow. IVF helps them to surrogate a healthy woman.
• It helps in gender determination. A couple can find out the gender, whether it's a girl or a boy, prior to implantation. 

Cons of IUI:

• It cannot be completed if the female has a blocked fallopian tube.
• It has no successful reports if the sperm count is low.
• If the sperm quality is poor, then IUI is of less significance.
• The success rate is low.

Demerits of IVF:

The following are the cons of IVF:

• It is a high-price treatment.
• The procedure is painful. 
• It is laborious.
• It is time-consuming.

Physicians, in short always prefer IUI first, as it is less expensive and less time-consuming. You will need to go for 3-4 rounds sometimes to get results. But unsuccessful results switch the patient from IUI-IVF, where the results are promising. 

The health care worker will draw blood samples after nine to fifteen days of IUI and IVF treatment to ensure the blood hormone level that ensures the pregnancy.