IUI, or Intrauterine Insemination, is a fertility procedure in which specially prepared, washed sperm is placed directly inside the uterus around the time of ovulation. By positioning the sperm closer to the egg, the treatment shortens the distance sperm needs to travel and improves the odds of fertilization happening naturally inside the body.
It's usually the first line of treatment recommended for couples facing mild fertility challenges, and is far less invasive and more affordable than procedures like IVF.
Every IUI plan is individual — your fertility specialist will decide on the right protocol based on your cycle history, hormone levels, and diagnostic reports.
IUI is typically the first recommended step when a couple's fertility challenge is mild to moderate, and doesn't require the more intensive process of IVF. Here's when doctors usually suggest it.
When sperm count, motility, or morphology is only slightly below normal, sperm washing and concentration during IUI can meaningfully boost the chances of conception.
Women with irregular or absent ovulation, including certain PCOS cases, often respond well to IUI combined with ovulation-inducing medication.
When investigations don't reveal an obvious cause, IUI is frequently tried first, since it's simpler, gentler, and more affordable than IVF.
If cervical mucus is too thick or hostile for sperm to travel through naturally, placing sperm directly in the uterus bypasses this barrier.
In early-stage endometriosis, IUI paired with ovarian stimulation can improve pregnancy chances before more advanced treatment is needed.
IUI using donor sperm is a common and effective route to parenthood for single women and same-sex couples.
For couples where intercourse-related conception is difficult due to physical or psychological factors, IUI offers a practical alternative.
In rare cases of a woman's sensitivity to proteins in semen, washed sperm used in IUI can reduce the reaction while still allowing conception.
From your first visit to the day of your pregnancy test, here's what an IUI cycle actually involves.
A detailed review of medical history, cycle patterns, and diagnostic tests for both partners to confirm that IUI is the right fit.
Your natural cycle is tracked closely with ultrasounds and, where needed, mild fertility medication is used to encourage the release of one or two healthy eggs.
Regular scans measure follicle growth so the timing of ovulation can be predicted precisely.
Once follicles reach the right size, a trigger injection is given to time ovulation accurately, usually 36 hours before the procedure.
A fresh or thawed donor sperm sample is processed in the lab to isolate the healthiest, most active sperm and remove seminal fluid.
Using a thin, flexible catheter, the prepared sperm sample is placed directly into the uterus — a quick, painless procedure done without anaesthesia.
Progesterone support may be prescribed after the procedure to help the uterine lining stay receptive for implantation.
About two weeks after the procedure, a blood test confirms whether the cycle has resulted in pregnancy.
There's no surgery involved — the entire procedure takes just a few minutes and needs no sedation or anaesthesia.
IUI costs considerably less per cycle than IVF, making it an accessible first step for many couples.
Since fertilisation still happens inside the body, the process feels closer to a natural pregnancy than lab-based treatments.
Most patients resume their normal routine immediately after the procedure, with no downtime required.
IUI is a straightforward, effective option for single women and couples who need donor sperm to conceive.
Because it's low-intervention, IUI cycles can often be repeated in consecutive months if needed.
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Real stories from real families who found success with IUI treatment at Pune IVF.
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The cost of an IUI cycle depends on whether medication is needed for ovulation induction, the number of monitoring visits, and whether donor sperm is used. We share complete cost details upfront during your first consultation.
Medication dosage, the number of monitoring visits, lab procedures like ICSI or embryo freezing, and any additional testing all influence the final cost. Your doctor will give you a personalised estimate after your first consultation.
Yes, we offer zero-cost EMI options so that cost is never a barrier to starting fertility treatment. Ask our team about available plans during your visit.
A typical IUI cycle takes around two to three weeks, from the start of ovulation monitoring through to the pregnancy test after the procedure.
Most patients feel little to no discomfort during the procedure — it's often described as similar to a routine pap smear and takes only a few minutes.
In IUI, prepared sperm is placed directly in the uterus and fertilisation happens naturally inside the body. In IVF, eggs and sperm are combined in a lab, and the resulting embryo is transferred into the uterus.
Doctors typically suggest three to four IUI cycles before recommending a switch to IVF, though this depends on age, diagnosis, and response to previous cycles.
Yes, IUI is commonly performed using donor sperm for single women, same-sex couples, or cases of severe male infertility. All donor samples are screened as per regulatory guidelines.
No strict bed rest is needed. Most patients resume normal, light activity within a few hours, though we recommend avoiding strenuous exercise on the day of the procedure.
An unsuccessful cycle isn't the end of the road. Your doctor will review your response, may adjust medication or timing, and guide you on whether to repeat IUI or move to IVF.
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