IUI Success Rates

This page reviews issues related to IUI success and how various infertility factors impact IUI statistics.

• IUI is short for “intrauterine insemination” – a fertility treatment
• It involves sperm processing (or “washing”) and placing the processed specimen into the uterine cavity with a catheter

IUI can be effective treatment for infertility of some causes including:

• Infertility due to ovulation problems
• Unexplained infertility
• Mild male factor infertility
• Infertility caused by mild endometriosis

IUI is not effective with:

• Blockage of both fallopian tubes
• Severe male factor infertility
• Severe endometriosis
• Severe pelvic scarring
• For these conditions IVF, in vitro fertilization is the treatment of choice

How is IUI done?

• A semen specimen from the male is processed (or “washed”) in the laboratory
• The processed sperm sample is drawn into a sterile catheter
• The catheter is inserted through the cervix and into the uterus
• The sperm is injected into the uterine cavity
• This is a simple procedure and should be similar to a Pap smear for the woman

Details about the IUI process