How IUI works
Intrauterine insemination (IUI) involves placing washed, concentrated sperm directly into the uterus around the time of ovulation, bypassing the cervix. It can be done in a natural cycle or alongside mild ovarian stimulation to increase the number of eggs. It's a relatively simple outpatient procedure with minimal discomfort. Per-cycle success rates are around 10–20%, depending on age and the underlying cause of infertility. Most doctors recommend 3–4 cycles before reassessing.
Who IUI works best for
IUI is most appropriate for unexplained infertility, mild male factor infertility (low or slow sperm), cervical factor infertility, or women using donor sperm. It requires at least one open fallopian tube. It is less effective — and not recommended — for women with significantly low ovarian reserve, severe endometriosis, or blocked tubes. In these cases, IVF is typically the more appropriate first step.
How IVF works
In vitro fertilisation involves stimulating the ovaries with injectable hormones to produce multiple eggs, retrieving those eggs under sedation, fertilising them with sperm in a laboratory, culturing the resulting embryos for 3–5 days, and transferring the best-quality embryo into the uterus. Any remaining embryos can be frozen for future use. The process takes around 2–3 weeks per cycle and involves daily injections and frequent monitoring appointments.
Comparing costs and success rates
In India, a single IUI cycle typically costs ₹10,000–₹25,000; an IVF cycle costs ₹1.5–₹2.5 lakh. IVF success rates per transfer for women under 35 are around 40–50% at good clinics; rates decline with age. Because IVF involves freezing embryos, subsequent frozen embryo transfers are significantly cheaper than a full cycle. Many couples find that 2–3 IUI attempts followed by IVF if unsuccessful is the most cost-effective path — but the right approach depends entirely on your diagnosis.