IUI (Intrauterine Insemination) and IVF (In Vitro Fertilization) are infertility treatment procedures with a high success rate. Both treatments are effective and suit patients with different infertility issues.
When considering fertility treatments, the first thing you will consider is their success. You will wish to undergo the treatment that can give you the highest success rate.
In that case, which treatment gives you the highest success rate, IUI or IVF? Read the article below to learn the success rates of each treatment and identify which one is the best option for your condition.
IUI Success Rate
In IUI (Intrauterine Insemination), the sperm is collected from the male partner and injected into the female uterus. This method is preferred when the sperm is unable to reach the egg in the fallopian tubes and fertilize it.
IUI has a considerably higher success rate than a natural pregnancy. The female will be administered hormonal injections to induce ovulation. The male partner’s sperm will be collected and analyzed, and the high-quality sperm will be collected separately for insemination.
This increases the chance of pregnancy. However, like any other treatment, IUI success depends on age and other fertility conditions. Below is the average success rate of IUI based on a woman’s age.
- Younger than 30 years- 20–25%
- 30–35 years – 15–20%
- 35–37 years – 10–15%
- 38–40 years – 7–10%
- Over 40 years – 4–5%
IVF Success Rate
Unlike IUI, an IVF (In Vitro Fertilization) is done outside the body in a laboratory. The male sperm and female eggs are collected and fertilized in a lab by embryologists. The embryos are cultured for some days, and the best embryo(s) are transferred to the uterus to develop into a pregnancy.
In this procedure, your fertility doctor has more control over fertilization and embryo development. This allows IVF to have a higher success rate than IUI.
On average, the success rate of IVF in India is around 50–60%. It can even go up to 65% for women younger than 35. The success rate increases as the number of cycles increases. So, there is a higher probability of pregnancy in IVF than IUI.
Below is the success rate of IVF treatments based on a woman’s age.
- Younger than 35 – 80–95%
- 35–37 years – 70%
- 38–40 years – 60%
- 40–42 years – 40%
- Over 43 years – 20%
Note: This is just the average success rate. Yours may increase or decrease based on your fertility and health.
Which is More Successful, IUI or IVF?
IVF has a higher success rate than IUI. The average success rate of IUI is around 30–40%. However, the average success rate of IVF is around 50–60%. IVF also ensures that only high quality eggs and sperm are used for fertilization. This makes IVF a preferred choice for many.
IVF also has several advantages over IUI. Fertility doctors use several advanced techniques to ensure that your IVF cycle is a success. Some techniques used to improve your success rates are listed below.
- Pre-implantation genetic testing (PGT) – This is done to analyze the embryos for any genetic or chromosomal abnormalities.
- Assisted hatching – This method helps crack the egg’s shell and assists in implantation.
- ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection) – If the sperm can’t fertilize the egg by itself, doctors will collect a healthy sperm and inject it into the egg for fertilization.
- Time-lapse embryo imaging – This method provides your doctor with images of the embryo during embryo culture. This can help them monitor its development and choose the best embryo(s) for embryo transfer.
Apart from the above methods, your doctor will use several other methods to ensure your IVF is a success.
Factors that Affect the Success Rate of IUI & IVF
The success rate of both treatments can be affected by certain factors. Below are some of them.
Factors that Affect IUI Success Rate
The success rate of IUI can be influenced by certain factors. Below are some of those factors.
- Your age
- The quality of your eggs and sperm
- The timing of insemination
- Uterine receptivity
- Fertility issues like blocked fallopian tubes
- Embryo quality
- Genetic or chromosomal factors
- Lifestyle factors
Factors that Affect IVF Success Rate
IVF has a higher success rate than most fertility treatments. However, it can’t guarantee a 100% success rate. There are factors that can affect your chances of IVF success. Below are some of those factors.
- Your age
- Your cause of infertility
- Egg and sperm quality
- The quality of the embryo selected
- Number of embryos transferred
- Genetic or chromosomal factors
- Uterine receptivity
- Alcohol & smoking
- Other lifestyle factors
As you can see, IUI and IVF have some common factors that affect their success rate. The severity of each issue determines which treatment suits you better.
Conclusion
Both IUI and IVF are great fertility treatments that can help you get pregnant. Your fertility doctor will assess your condition and suggest the best treatment option for you.
Consider factors like your age, fertility condition, and your financial stability before choosing your treatment. Your fertility doctor and hospital also play a role in your success. So, ensure you visit the best fertility doctor in your area.
Yes, stress is one of the most important factors that affect the success of your IUI. It can affect your hormonal balance, cause high blood pressure, and decrease IUI fertilization and pregnancy.
Yes, IVF is more expensive than IUI. The technology and treatment procedures are more complicated in IVF. This increases the overall cost of IVF treatments.
On average, the success rate of IVF in India is around 50–60%. It can even go up to 65% for women younger than 35. The success rate increases as the number of cycles increases.
Here’s when you should consult a doctor for fertility treatments.
- You have difficulty conceiving a child.
- You are above 40 years of age.
- You have an existing medical condition.
- You have irregular or painful periods.
