Show
IUI or IVF? Now that is a good question. One of the first things people should do when exploring fertility treatment options is to compare intrauterine inseminations (IUI) and in vitro fertilization (IVF) as they are two of the most common and effective fertility treatments. But how do you know if IUI or IVF is the right treatment option for you? While it’s always recommended to consult with a medical provider before making any treatment decisions, this article serves as a great jumping point for those looking to get pregnant using assisted reproductive technologies (ART). In it, we discuss everything you need to know about IUI and IVF. We start things off with a high-level overview, then jump into the different types of each treatment, discuss treatment details, key decisions within each treatment, success rates, cost comparisons, risks, and who each treatment might be a good fit for. Let the battle of IUI vs. IVF begin! IUI vs. IVF: The Fast FactsThe main difference between IUI and IVF is the number of eggs the female produced and the place of fertilization.
Treatment Process:
How they beat infertility
Safety:
General Treatment Order:
Time to Pregnancy:
Cost:
Types of IUI and IVF TreatmentsBefore we get much further, it’s important to discuss that there are many different types of IUI and IVF. While they belong to the same treatment “family,” there are important differences and variations that should be understood. Types of IUIThere are a few different types of insemination based on where the semen is deposited and four different types of IUI cycles based on the medications used in the treatment. Your preferences, fertility diagnostic testing, and history help guide which type of IUI cycle is best for you. Types of insemination based on where the sperm is depositedThere are two main types of artificial inseminations:
Types of IUI based on the medication used
No matter what type of IUI cycle you choose, your cycle is monitored either with consistent blood work and ultrasounds or at home via an ovulation predictor kit. If your IUI cycle includes medications, you will likely be monitored with bloodwork and ultrasounds to ensure follicular development and a safe and effective cycle. Types of IVFThe best way to view the different types of IVF is to understand that IVF is an umbrella term used to describe a procedure where fertilization happens outside of the body. Differences can be based on medications, fertilization, embryo “processing,” and where fertilization takes place. Various types can also be combined.
IUI vs. IVF Treatment ProcessIUI Process:An IUI procedure is the process of directly injecting sperm into the top of the uterus. This increases the odds of conception by reducing the distance the sperm must travel to meet the egg. That said, when most people talk about IUIs, they’re referring to the steps leading up to and after the actual procedure. An IUI treatment can be summarized into a few steps:
IVF Process:Regardless of the type of IVF procedure you’re having, most can be simplified into a few key steps:
Key Decisions In IUI and IVF TreatmentNo matter what treatment you choose, IUI or IVF, there will be many key decisions that have to be made by you and your healthcare provider. Let’s take a look at what some of those key decisions are for both IUI and IVF. IUI vs. IVF – Success RateWomen who switch from IUI to IVF sooner or begin with IVF get pregnant quicker than those who stick or start with IUI. One study found that undergoing immediate IVF resulted in superior pregnancy rates with fewer treatment cycles compared to those who did two rounds of IUI before switching to IVF. While the immediate IVF group got pregnant quicker, the overall success after up to 6 IVF cycles was similar. IUIs are only successful for some populations and generally tend not to work after a history of a few failed IUIs. IUI success is dependent upon many variables such as age, reasons for infertility, and medications used. As a whole, IUI has lower pregnancy rates than IVF, with odds topping out around 15-20% for ideal candidates. While the odds of IVF success vary greatly by many things, including age, sperm and egg quality, reasons for infertility, and clinic, ideal candidates have odds in the 50-60% range [3]. Of course, based on factors just mentioned (and others), one’s odds could be both much higher or much lower. IUI vs. IVF CostAt CNY Fertility, we pride ourselves on offering affordable, top-notch fertility care for those wishing to start or expand their families. For this reason, we keep our costs well below the national average. We live and breathe by our motto: Making Priceless Affordable. The cost of an IUI is almost certainly less on a per cycle basis, but because IVF has much higher success rates and IUI is a poor option for some, the higher per cycle cost of IVF can actually be more affordable in the long run – in terms of the cost to bring home a baby. Because most successful IUIs happen in the first three or four-cycle, it eventually becomes very expensive to bring home a baby with an IUI. For many people seeking fertility care, the cost can be an issue. Currently, only 18 states have fertility insurance coverage laws, forcing many people to turn to financing options to pay for their fertility treatments. In addition, there are many grants, and some clinics even offer guarantee programs. If you have any questions about CNY Fertility pricing, our guarantee, or what financing options are available to you, check out our webpage on Affording Fertility Treatment. IUI vs. IVF RisksAs with any medical procedure, there are some risks to keep in mind. When choosing between IUI and IVF, the risk is certainly something to consider. The chances of experiencing either a miscarriage or multiples are concerns many have when deciding to undergo fertility treatments. So let’s take a look at the odds of either of these things occurring, plus a few other risks to be aware of. IUI and IVF Side Effects
Deciding between IUI vs. IVF: Who is the best candidate for eachIUI and IVF have the same end goal in mind – pregnancy. But the methods to get there are a bit different. In addition, whether or not IUI or IVF is right for you is based on a few key factors. IUI may be a good fit for those with the following circumstances:
IUI may NOT a good fit for those who:
IVF may be a better fit for those with the following circumstances:
IUI and IVF at CNY FertilityWhen it comes to fertility care, you deserve only the best. At CNY Fertility, we empathize with you and understand how stressful it is to be dealing with infertility. That’s why we never treat our patients as numbers or nameless visitors. From the moment you enter our doors, you’ll be welcomed by our friendly staff and receive only high-quality, personalized care. We believe that fertility treatments aren’t a luxury reserved for a select few – It’s a human right that you wholeheartedly deserve, no matter your history or situation. You’ll be pleased to know that the team at CNY Fertility is comprised of over 250 years of combined provider experience. When you choose us for your fertility needs, you can rest assured that you’ll be saying goodbye to cookie-cutter fertility care and saying hello to the superior, patient-centered care you deserve. Click here to schedule your office or phone consultation to see how you can use IUI, IVF, or one of our many other services to start or expand your family. We are here for you and are ready to help you build the family you’ve been dreaming about. References:
Article Sources
Is IVF effective at 35?For women ages 35 to 37, the percentage of live births per egg retrieval is 41.1%. For women ages 38 to 40, the percentage of live births per egg retrieval is 26.7%. For women ages 41 to 42, the percentage of live births per egg retrieval is 13.8%.
Which is more effective IUI or IVF?IVF has a much faster time to pregnancy due to it's higher success rate per cycle. For those under 35, success rates are generally around 50% per treatment. IUIs generally have a success rate of around 5-20% per cycle.
Why is IUI success so low?Age is a crucial factor in determining the success rate of the IUI procedure. The conception rates drop significantly as you progress in age due to decreasing egg quality. You may require many repeated IUI cycles to conceive. The timing of the procedure.
What are the chances of getting pregnant with IVF at 35?While the likelihood of having a full term, normal birth weight and singleton live birth per cycle is greater than 20 percent for women younger than 35, women 35 to 37 years old have a 17 percent chance, and the rate drops off with age.
|