accessible first-line fertility treatment

Intrauterine Insemination (IUI)

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What is IUI?

Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) is a process where sperm is placed directly inside a woman’s uterus to facilitate fertilization. IUI is performed to increase the number of sperm that reach the fallopian tubes thereby increasing the chance of fertilization.

the pinnacle difference

intrauterine Insemination (IUI) with Pinnacle

  • Non-Invasive and Cost-Effective Option: IUI is a less invasive and more affordable alternative to IVF, making it an accessible first-line treatment for many couples experiencing fertility issues. It's particularly suitable for those with unexplained infertility, mild male factor infertility, or cervical mucus problems.
  • Higher Chances of Conception: By directly placing washed and concentrated sperm into the uterus around the time of ovulation, IUI increases the number of sperm that reach the fallopian tubes, thereby enhancing the likelihood of fertilization and pregnancy.
  • Suitable for Diverse Family Structures: IUI is a popular choice for single women and lesbian couples wishing to conceive. It can be performed using donor sperm, allowing a wider range of individuals and couples to pursue their dream of parenthood.
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a successful fertility treatment for many

Who Is IUI Right For?

IUI at Pinnacle may be right for heterosexual and LGBTQIA+ couples and singles who:

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The IUI Journey

Step 1

Fertility Testing and Diagnosis

Depending on your reason for choosing IUI, you’ll go through diagnostic testing to look into the cause of your infertility. IUI is not always necessary or feasible, so your doctor might recommend alternative treatments to start.

Step 2

Care Coordination and Financial Consultation

A Pinnacle staff member will go over the financial side of the IUI process with you. Your clinical team will review your calendar, order your medication, and prepare you for your treatment.

Step 4

Stimulating Egg Production(Optional)

Depending on your care plan, you may begin hormonal treatments by either taking a pill or an injectable medication that encourages your ovaries to produce more mature eggs than they would naturally. This stage takes about 10 days, after which you’ll inject a “trigger shot” at home to induce ovulation.

If your care plan doesn’t include egg production stimulation, you’ll follow your natural cycle before injecting the trigger shot.

Step 3

Pre-IUI Hormonal Preparation

To prepare your body for IUI, you may need to take birth control pills. It might seem counterintuitive, but birth control helps:

  • Prepare your ovaries to respond better to hyperstimulation medicine
  • Coordinate your cycle so you can plan your treatment around your schedule

In addition to starting birth control, we may perform additional tests and recommend lifestyle adjustments as needed.

Step 5

Sperm Collection/Processing and Insemination

24-36 hours after the trigger shot, you’ll come in for sperm selection and insemination.

First, a semen sample will be collected and washed, a process that separates sperm cells from the rest of the seminal fluid and removes dead and weak sperm cells, bacteria, and debris.

Once sperm is processed, we perform the insemination. During the minimally invasive procedure, your doctor will insert a speculum to view your cervix (similar to a Pap smear) and place a thin, flexible tube through the cervix into the uterus. The selected sperm will be injected through this tube. The whole process takes a few minutes and is usually painless — you may experience mild cramping and you may experience spotting for one to two days after the procedure, but you can return to your normal activities immediately.

Step 6

Pregnancy Testing & Monitoring

After the IUI, you'll take medications that help support your pregnancy in the early stages. Around two weeks later, you will return to the clinic for an HCG pregnancy test. In cases of positive test results, our team, including your navigator and provider, will provide diligent monitoring through labs and ultrasounds to ensure the healthy progression of your pregnancy until transition to your OB/GYN for continued care. In the event of a negative pregnancy test, we will arrange a follow-up appointment to explore and discuss your available options.

Intrauterine Insemination FAQs

Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) is a process where sperm is placed directly inside a woman’s uterus to facilitate fertilization. IUI is performed to increase the number of sperm that reach the fallopian tubes thereby increasing the chance of fertilization.

The difference between IUI and IVF is that IUI inserts washed semen into a woman's uterus in an attempt to fertilize an egg, while IVF creates an embryo in a lab and then transfers it in the uterus where it hopefully implants.

The process starts by notifying the clinic on the first day of your cycle. Depending on your treatment plan, you typically take a limited course of oral medications that encourage the recruitment and growth of 1-2 dominant follicles. This is followed by a trigger shot to induce ovulation. The timing of the trigger shot is determined by an ultrasound to see and measure the dominant follicles.

A day or two after the trigger shot, you'll come to the fertility clinic for insemination. The sperm sample is collected and processed, which essentially extracts the seminal fluid and only uses healthy sperm cells. Similar to a pap smear, the cervix is visualized using a vaginal speculum and the sperm is inserted through a tube that goes through your cervix into the uterus. The sperm is then deposited.

There are a few tasks that need to happen in preparation of an IUI procedure:

  • Ovulation monitoring: Your doctor may monitor your natural ovulation cycle to schedule your IUI. This might involve an ultrasound and bloodwork to view ovarian follicles and determine the stage of your cycle.
  • Semen sample preparation: A semen sample is not only collected, it's also optimized to maximize the chances of successful fertilization. It is washed to remove dead and weak cells, as well as bacteria. It also removes seminal fluid so only the strongest sperm cells are used in the IUI process.
  • Optimal timing: As you go through the preparation stages for your IUI procedure, your doctor will schedule the treatment on the optimal timing based on your body and evidence-based best practices. In addition to monitoring your ovulation, the process is also scheduled based on research revealing the best IUI time is the 24- to 36-hour window following the trigger shot.

There are a number of factors that can lead to a successful IUI. Some of them include age of the mother, weight of the mother, male factor infertility, fallopian tube blockage, severe endometriosis, pelvic infections and more.

The IUI procedure is a low-risk fertility treatment, but there are some potential symptoms and side effects to be aware of.

Compared to other types of fertility treatments, it's one of the cheapest options out there. It's also a fast outpatient procedure.

Implantation typically occurs 6-12 days after an IUI is conducted.

Unless instructed otherwise by your physician, you can return to normal activity immediately following an IUI procedure. It is typical to experience some light spotting and cramping in the days following the procedure. Additionally, it is important to treat your body as though it’s pregnant by avoiding alcohol, drugs, and limiting caffeine.

After an IUI, you’ll take medications to help support your pregnancy in the early stages. A pregnancy test is taken about two weeks after the IUI procedure. If it is positive, we’ll administer another test in our office to confirm.

The appropriate number of developing follicles in an IUI cycle is highly dependent on your age and history. Your doctor will be able to set your medication based on this information aiming for the best and safest outcome.

Real Stories, Real Success: Our Patients Speak

Jesus C.

We can't thank you all enough for making our IVF journey such a positive experience. Your team's expertise and warmth meant the world to us. You made our dreams come true, and we're forever thankful.

California Fertility Partners
Los Angeles, CA
Krista B.

THEY ARE AMAZING!!! I absolutely love this clinic and everyone who works here! Being a lesbian couple, we were nervous trying to find a fertility clinic for us.. they made us feel so comfortable right away! They are so caring and sweet! I definitely recommend this place!! && Dr. Z is the man!! Nicest doctor I have ever met! I would give them a 100 stars if I could!

Advanced Fertility Care
Scottsdale, AZ
Patrick P.

Thanks to Dr. Dudley, we achieved a successful pregnancy, a dream that once seemed unattainable. His expertise and empathy made him not just a doctor but a beacon of hope in our most challenging times. We are profoundly grateful to Dr. Dudley and highly recommend him to any couple facing fertility issues!

Pinnacle Fertility
Atlanta, GA
Lee B.

We've worked with RGI twice now, and have had an excellent experience both times. Dr. Maseelall and her team have been amazing to work with. This time around, we were introduced to the "navigators" who essentially act as a liaison between us and the doctors, which was a change from the last time we were there. We found having access to a dedicated resource - even by text message - was a huge plus.

Reproductive Gynecology & Infertility
Akron, OH
R.W.

I highly recommend Dr. Dudley! He is one of the only doctors who explained things clearly, realistically, and positively. His bedside manner is outstanding. A defining moment (without disclosing my medical history) was when I explained something to him and he responded with "I believe in a women's intuition." He believed me, ran a quick test, and pivoted the plan. I can't recommend him enough.

Pinnacle Fertility
Atlanta, GA
Diana M.

My husband I went to Dominion after struggling with some fertility issues and multiple miscarriages. We couldn't have made a better choice! You can tell that the staff really care about their patients and make you feel at ease. At the beginning of the process, we were feeling a bit overwhelmed, but the doctors were understanding and great at explaining each step to us along the way. We now have a healthy baby boy and we could not be more happy and grateful to Dominion Fertility!!

Dominion Fertility
Arlington, VA

We partner with various financing providers to offer fertility financing options. Learn more here

The credit requirements for financing fertility treatment can vary depending on the lending institution and the specific financing program. Some lenders offer fertility treatment financing with relatively lenient credit requirements, while others may require a higher credit score and a strong credit history. It's advisable to research different financing options, compare their credit requirements, and choose one that aligns with your financial situation and credit profile.

The appropriate number of developing follicles in an IUI cycle is highly dependent on your age and history. Your doctor will be able to set your medication based on this information aiming for the best and safest outcome.

After an IUI, you’ll take medications to help support your pregnancy in the early stages. 

After about two weeks, you’ll come back into the clinic for an HcG pregnancy test. Patients with positive pregnancy test outcomes are followed closely by both their navigator and provider with labs and ultrasounds to ensure the pregnancy is progressing successfully until graduation to their OB/GYN. If your pregnancy test is negative, we’ll schedule a follow-up visit to discuss your options.

Unless instructed otherwise by a doctor, you can return to normal activity immediately following an IUI procedure. It is typical to experience some light spotting and cramping in the days following the procedure. Additionally, it is important to treat your body as though it’s pregnant by avoiding alcohol, drugs, and limiting caffeine.

Implantation typically occurs 6-12 days after an IUI is conducted.

The cost of Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) varies widely depending on factors like location, clinic, fertility medications, and insurance coverage. Compared to other types of fertility treatments, it's one of the cheapest options out there. It's also a fast outpatient procedure.

The IUI procedure is a low-risk fertility treatment, but there are some potential symptoms and side effects to be aware of. Risks associated with IUI include mild discomfort, spotting, infection (rare), ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (if fertility medications are used), a slightly increased risk of multiple pregnancies, and a small risk of ectopic pregnancy. The success of IUI is not guaranteed, and not all couples achieve pregnancy with this method.

There are a number of factors that can lead to a successful IUI. The success rate of Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) can vary significantly depending on several factors, including the underlying cause of infertility, the age of the woman, the quality of sperm used, and the experience of the healthcare provider performing the procedure. Success rates are typically reported in terms of the likelihood of achieving a pregnancy per cycle of IUI.

On average, the overall success rate for IUI typically ranges from 10% to 20% per cycle. This means that, on average, 10% to 20% of couples will achieve a pregnancy after one cycle of IUI.

There are a few tasks that need to happen in preparation of an IUI procedure:

  • Ovulation monitoring: Your doctor may monitor your natural ovulation cycle to schedule your IUI. This might involve an ultrasound and bloodwork to view ovarian follicles and determine the stage of your cycle.
  • Semen sample preparation: A semen sample is not only collected, it's also optimized to maximize the chances of successful fertilization. It is washed to remove dead and weak cells, as well as bacteria. It also removes seminal fluid so only the strongest sperm cells are used in the IUI process.
  • Optimal timing: As you go through the preparation stages for your IUI procedure, your doctor will schedule the treatment on the optimal timing based on your body and evidence-based best practices. In addition to monitoring your ovulation, the process is also scheduled based on research revealing the best IUI time is the 24- to 36-hour window following the trigger shot.

The process starts by notifying the clinic on the first day of your cycle. Depending on your treatment plan, you typically take a limited course of oral medications that encourage the recruitment and growth of 1-2 dominant follicles. This is followed by a trigger shot to induce ovulation. The timing of the trigger shot is determined by an ultrasound to see and measure the dominant follicles.

A day or two after the trigger shot, you'll come to the fertility clinic for insemination. The sperm sample is collected and processed, which essentially extracts the seminal fluid and only uses healthy sperm cells. Similar to a pap smear, the cervix is visualized using a vaginal speculum and the sperm is inserted through a tube that goes through your cervix into the uterus. The sperm is then deposited. Read more about IUI here .

The difference between IUI and IVF is that IUI inserts washed semen into a uterus in an attempt to fertilize an egg, while IVF creates an embryo in a lab and then transfers it in the uterus where it hopefully implants.

Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) is a process where sperm is placed directly inside a woman’s uterus to facilitate fertilization. IUI is performed to increase the number of sperm that reach the fallopian tubes thereby increasing the chance of fertilization. Read more about IUI here .