IUI: What to Expect — Process, Success Rates, and Who It's For
What IUI involves, who it's recommended for, and how success rates compare to IVF. For anyone deciding whether IUI is the right first step.
IUI—intrauterine insemination—is often the first assisted reproductive treatment people encounter. It sits between timed intercourse and IVF: more targeted than natural conception, less involved than a full IVF cycle. This page explains how IUI works, who it's most likely to help, and when it makes sense to move on.
What is IUI and how does it work?
IUI places washed, concentrated sperm directly into the uterus around the time of ovulation. By bypassing the cervix, the procedure puts a higher concentration of sperm closer to where fertilization happens. The goal is to improve the chances that sperm and egg connect at the right moment, without the more intensive intervention of IVF.
What does the IUI procedure involve?
The IUI procedure itself takes about five minutes. Most people describe the sensation as similar to a Pap smear—mild cramping is common, but no sedation is needed, and people typically return to normal activity the same day. A catheter is used to deliver the prepared sperm sample through the cervix and directly into the uterine cavity.
What is the success rate of IUI per cycle?
IUI success rates run about 10–20% per cycle with medication, depending on age and diagnosis. Those numbers are lower than IVF—but the cost, invasiveness, and emotional toll are also considerably lower. Whether the per-cycle odds justify trying IUI before IVF is a conversation that depends on individual circumstances.
Who is IUI recommended for?
IUI works best for mild male factor infertility, unexplained infertility in people under 38, cervical factor, and people using donor sperm—including single people and same-sex couples. It is less effective for blocked tubes, severe male factor, or advanced maternal age, where IVF is typically the more appropriate starting point.
How many IUI cycles should you try before considering IVF?
Most specialists recommend trying 3–4 IUI cycles before moving on. If IUI hasn't worked by that point, the odds of success on cycle 5 or 6 are very low—and IVF becomes the more cost-effective path forward. This benchmark may shift depending on individual factors, and it's worth discussing with your provider.