IUI

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Intrauterine Insemination (IUI)

In the simplest terms, IUI is a procedure that places sperm directly inside your uterus, with the goal of getting healthy sperm closer to an egg. It’s a short procedure that can be done at our clinic.

The Science of Artificial Insemination


IUI, also known as artificial insemination, can be a great option for couples who are struggling with infertility, and it’s also a means of fertilization with donor sperm. Depending on your diagnosis, we may recommend several IUI attempts before jumping into IVF.

IUI Candidates

IUI may be an option for mild cases of male factor infertility, as well as for women who are experiencing:

Individuals or couples using donor sperm may undergo IUI. Donor sperm is a good option when a male partner isn’t present, or where male factor infertility is preventing pregnancy. At AFCC, we partner with fully licensed, highly accredited sperm banks, whose screening steps meet well-established standards. Donors are heavily screened for medical conditions and other physical, emotional and psychological risk factors.

IUI is not effective with blockage of both fallopian tubes, severe male factor infertility, severe endometriosis, or severe pelvic scarring. For these conditions, in vitro fertilization (IVF) is the treatment of choice.

The IUI Process

  1. Stimulation: The woman is given medications to stimulate development of multiple eggs at the beginning of her cycle.
  2. Semen Sample​: A semen specimen is produced at home or in the clinic after 2-5 days of abstinence from ejaculation.
  3. Sperm Washing: The semen is “washed” in the laboratory (called sperm processing or sperm washing). The sperm is separated from the other components of the semen and concentrated in a small volume.
  4. Insemination: On the day of the procedure, when ovulation is imminent, a speculum is placed in the vagina and the cervical area is gently cleaned. The washed specimen of highly motile sperm is placed in the uterus using a sterile, flexible catheter. There should be little or no discomfort.
  5. Recovery: Although the sperm has been put above the vagina and cervix and shouldn’t leak when you stand up, many clinics offer for the woman to remain lying down for a few minutes after the procedure.

IUI Frequently Asked Questions

  • IUI is performed by placing specially prepared semen directly into the patient’s uterus using a speculum and catheter so that the sperm can complete the rest of its journey towards the egg. In IUI, fertilization and blastocyst development occur within the body, similar to a traditional pregnancy. In IVF, fertilization takes place outside of the body in a laboratory; eggs and sperm are retrieved from the parents and/or donors and combined together so that the sperm can fertilize the egg, forming a blastocyst embryo. After a few days of development, the resulting blastocyst is transferred to the recipient’s uterus.

  • IUI procedures are scheduled to be performed during the ovulation phase of a menstrual cycle. As such, it takes about two weeks before a pregnancy test will accurately reveal whether or not the procedure was successful. During this time, it’s recommended that patients not use at-home pregnancy tests, as they can sometimes yield misleading results.

  • At AFCC, human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is used, a self-administered injection that acts as a trigger to start an ovulation cycle.

  • The IUI procedure is relatively quick and minimally invasive. In terms of discomfort, it is often compared to a standard pap smear. 

  • At AFCC, we expect around a 10% success rate per cycle. However, this varies based on the age of the patient. 

IUI Costs

    • IUI with partner sperm (includes sperm wash and insemination procedure): $550
    • IUI with donor sperm (includes sperm wash/handling and insemination procedure): $650

    Please note that monitoring visits are not included.

    • Clomid cycle with partner sperm (includes all bloodwork and ultrasounds for monitoring the cycle): $1,750
    • Clomid cycle with donor sperm (includes all bloodwork and ultrasounds for monitoring the cycle – the cost of donor sperm is not included): $1,850
    • Injectable cycle with partner sperm insemination package (includes all bloodwork and ultrasounds for monitoring the cycle): $2,800
    • Injectable cycle with donor sperm insemination package (includes all bloodwork and ultrasounds for monitoring the cycle – the cost of donor sperm is not included): $2,900

    Please note that all prices and packages do not include medication costs, pre-screening testing, or pregnancy testing/monitoring, and are subject to change.

Choose AFCC for IUI in Chicago

Are you ready to explore IUI as your path to parenthood? Our team is here to answer all your questions and concerns so that you can move forward with confidence. Contact Advanced Fertility Center of Chicago today for more information about IUI or to schedule a consultation at one of our fertility clinics in Chicago, Downers Grove, Gurnee, or Arlington Heights.

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