Is IUI 100% successful?

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The inability to conceive is a difficult physical and psychological problem that has a variety of effects on establishing a family. Infertility can now be treated and cured with a plethora of cutting-edge medical and scientific advancements.

The easiest, least expensive, and least painful way to treat infertility is with IUI. The procedure known as intrauterine insemination, or IUI, is a technique used to improve the chances of getting pregnant. Encouragement of conception leading to pregnancy is the aim of IUI. Another name for this reproductive process is artificial insemination.

Let’s look at IUI and its success rate in this blog. 

What is IUI?

A straightforward and non-invasive method of treating infertility is intrauterine insemination. During in vitro fertilization (IUI), motile sperm are collected, rinsed in a solution containing protein and antibiotics, and then diluted, centrifuged, and resuspended.

During ovulation, the concentrated and clean sperm are now inserted straight into the uterus through the cervix. This may improve the sperm’s ability to reach the egg and raise the likelihood of fertilization success. If your spouse’s sperm is unavailable, you can also use donor sperm for in vitro fertilization (IVF).

What is the IUI process?

The timing of ovulation influences the IUI procedure. Your doctor will use bloodwork and ultrasound to analyze your menstrual cycle on the first day of the cycle. To stimulate the release of one or more eggs from the ovary, injections such as human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) or other fertility medications are occasionally utilized. Once the egg is matured, it travels through the fallopian tube from the ovary for fertilization.

Your partner or a donor provides a fresh sample of sperm. The sample sperm will be examined and prepared for insemination by a process called “sperm washing,” which concentrates healthy sperm.

 Your fertility specialist collects healthy sperm from the seminal fluid and uses a thin catheter to directly transfer the sperm into the uterus. In the case if fertilization occurs, the fertilized egg implants in the uterine lining, resulting in pregnancy.

General success rate with IUI

Success rate with IUI may vary according to the underlying health condition of a patient. Following are the general success rate

  1. When a patient is under normal condition, that is, when the patient has a good egg count, an open fallopian tube, a healthy uterus, and a healthy sperm count which is termed as ‘unexplained fertility’, the success rate is around 7% to 10% per cycle. Along with IUI, if you consider fertility drugs then the success rate can increase 15% to 25%.
  2.     If the patient has a single open fallopian tube, where one blocked and unblocked fallopian tube is present, the pregnancy is possible. However, the likelihood of success varies according to where the blockage is on the obstructed tube. If the obstruction is nearest to the ovary, the success rate of IUI is 11.7%. A success rate of 38.1% is achieved when the obstruction is closest to the uterus.
  3. Research reveals that for couples under 35, the first session of IUI has a 10% success rate. If the patient undergoes hormone therapy, success rate can be expected around 20%.
  4. In case of male infertility, if the sperm’s quality is healthy and has the capacity to produce a child, IUI can be successful in 16.8%.
  5.     The rate of success is also influenced by the age of the patients. As you become older, the likelihood of getting pregnant decreases dramatically because your eggs become less quality. Given below is the success rate of IUI depending on age factor,
Age Success rate of IUI
Below 35 years
13%
Between 35 – 37 years
10%
Between 38 – 40 years
9%
Above 40 years
3 – 9%

Is IUI 100% success

The IUI process is not 100% certain to be successful because it depends on a number of varying parameters that we have already discussed above. For individuals with two fallopian tubes and healthy, high-quality sperm, the success rate of IUI cycles ranges from 7% to 10%. Adding fertility medications to IUI therapy can increase your success rate by 15–25%.

As per the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), approximately 10-15% of IUI cycles are successful overall.

Factors determining IUI success rate

Since the success rate of the IUI cycle is typically between 10 – 20% on the first try, most couples are advised to have at least three IUI cycles in order to improve their chances of becoming pregnant.

There are some factors that can influence the success rate of IUI, given below are the major factors that can determine IUI success rate.

1.Quality of Sperm:

Sperms in semen are expected to be in higher concentration. Quality of the sperms can affect the procedure.

2.The cause of fertility:

Compared to women who have an unhealthy uterus, a single open fallopian tube, poor-quality eggs, etc., women with unexplained fertility have a better probability of becoming pregnant.

3.The number of IUI cycles:

It has been suggested that a couple undergo at least three IUI cycles to increase the likelihood of becoming pregnant. Your chances of getting pregnant increase with the number of IUI cycles you complete.

4.The use of fertility drugs:

The fertility drugs such as clomiphene citrate (Clomid) and aromatase inhibitors (e.g., Letrozole) given during IUI can increase the rate of success.  

5. The women’s age:

Patient age also affects success rates. As you age, your chances of becoming pregnant drop significantly because your eggs become lower quality.

6. Healthy diet:

Balanced diet is more crucial to achieve IUI success rate. Avoid unhealthy foods because it can reduce the chance of getting pregnant.

How to increase the chance of successful IUI?

There is a 10% to 30% success rate in IUI. Even after receiving IUI therapy, several practices can improve the likelihood of getting pregnant. They are as follows;

  • Maintaining a healthy, balanced diet is highly recommended after IUI treatment. A robust physical and mental state is necessary for successful fertilization.
  • Maintaining frequent contact with your fertility doctor is crucial following intrauterine insemination (IUI) treatment. Reach out for experienced doctors who provide effective fertility treatments and follow their recommended medication carefully.
  • Following the IUI treatment, fertility experts recommend at least 7-8 hours of sleep per night.
  • Avoid consuming Alcohol, caffeine and smoking.
  • Have moderate physical exercise.

Conclusion

Intrauterine insemination is a non-invasive fertility treatment that has a certain degree of success. Though it cannot afford a 100% success rate, it can help you to achieve pregnancy to a certain extent. Couples with unexplained fertility and ovulatory disorder can undergo IUI, because the likelihood of success is higher. Apart from IUI, there are several factors that can affect the success rate of IUI treatment.

Thus, IUI can improve fertility, if you undergo more than three cycles. Happy Motherhood!

FAQs

When a patient is under normal condition, that is, when the patient has a good egg count, an open fallopian tube, a healthy uterus, and a healthy sperm count which is termed as ‘unexplained fertility’, the success rate is around 7% to 10% per cycle. Along with IUI, if you consider fertility drugs then the success rate can increase 15% to 25%.

The IUI process is not 100% certain to be successful because it depends on a number of varying parameters. As per the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), approximately 10-15% of IUI cycles are successful overall.

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Dr. Rukkayal Fathima

Dr Rukkayal Fathima, India's Leading Gynaecologist and the best fertility doctor in Chennai. She has 11+ years of experience and treated 1000+ patients. She finished her M. S., Obstetrics and Gynaecology from the Institute of Obstetrics & Gynaecology (Madras Medical College), Chennai. She is a visiting consultant at St. Isabelle Hospital, Motherhood Hospital, Rainbow Hospital & Mehta Hospital. Dr Rukkayal Fathima specialises in Obstetrics care, Early Pregnancy Scan, IVF, ICSI, TESA/Micro TESE, Menopause advice, Gynaecological surgeries and endoscopy. She is a Co-Founder of Hive Fertility, the Best Fertility Center in Chennai.

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