New IVF insurance mandate in California effective July 2025. Get a head start today!
Castle Connolly has recognized our Greater San Francisco fertility specialists as 2025 Top Doctors!
Intrauterine insemination (IUI), a form of artificial insemination, is a relatively simple procedure that increases the chances of conception by directing sperm to the right place at the right time. In this process, a thin tube called a catheter is placed directly into the cervix, and a carefully prepared sperm sample is injected directly through the catheter into the uterus. By timing the egg’s exposure to sperm in a controlled way, IUI can enhance the potential for pregnancy.
IUI is often recommended for individuals or couples who:
To determine the best treatment plan, a physician may recommend some or all of the following tests before moving forward with artificial insemination:
For individuals providing sperm for IUI, it’s recommended that they abstain from ejaculation for 2 to 5 days. Abstaining for more than 7 days can result in decreased motility.
IUI may be performed during a normal ovulation-menstrual cycle, or with the use of ovary-stimulating fertility medication. Studies have demonstrated that IUI in combination with medications that stimulate egg production can significantly increase the chances of conception. These medications include Clomid, (clomiphene citrate), Femara (letrozole), Follistim, Menopur, Bravelle, and Gonal-f.
Fertility medication is often recommended for those diagnosed with age-related sub-fertility, endometriosis, unexplained infertility, or male factor infertility.
Before the artificial insemination procedure, sperm is collected through masturbation, either at home or in our clinic. The sperm is then sent to our laboratory where it is separated from the seminal fluid which can irritate the uterine lining. The most active and healthy sperm are extracted and then placed into the uterus via a catheter. The entire procedure takes no more than 5 minutes.
In rare cases, there may be mild cramping following the procedure, but this is normally mild and short-lived. Our patients can resume normal activity immediately. Their doctor may recommend that the patient have intercourse on the day or evening of artificial insemination to further increase the chances of conception.
The procedure is similar for patients who are using donor sperm. Sperm from the sperm bank, which will already be here on the day IUI is performed, is thawed and assessed for sperm count and motility. From that point, the insemination with frozen-thawed donor sperm is the same as with fresh sperm.
There is less than a 1% chance of pelvic infection with IUI. If using fertility medications, there may be possible side effects to consider, including ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), in which ovaries become swollen and painful.
The number of IUI cycles depends on each patient’s unique circumstances and is generally determined by various factors, such as age and diagnosis. If pregnancy has not been achieved after 3-4 IUI attempts, we will usually recommend more aggressive treatment, such as in vitro fertilization (IVF).
The success of IUI varies based on several individual factors, including your age, underlying diagnosis, sperm quality, and whether fertility medications are used during treatment. For patients under 35, success rates typically range from 10–20% per cycle. These rates gradually decline with age, similar to the natural chances of conception for couples without fertility challenges.
At Pacific Fertility Center, we take a personalized approach to every IUI cycle. Our experienced team will tailor your treatment plan to give you the best possible chance of success, whether you’re using donor sperm, timed intercourse with ovulation induction, or combining IUI with other fertility treatments. We’ll walk you through your options, explain the science behind each step, and help you decide whether IUI is the right place to start your journey.
Every fertility journey is unique, and your care plan should be too.
We invite you to schedule an IUI consultation with one of the board-certified physicians of Pacific Fertility Center®, the San Francisco Bay Area's leading fertility clinic.
