IVF vs. IUI: What's The Difference?

Conception and pregnancy are not usually as straightforward for all couples. The road to pregnancy may be difficult for some couples, who may need assistance to reach their goal. Thankfully, assisted reproductive technologies exist to help such couples. 

There are two common procedures used to help couples who need fertility assistance: intrauterine insemination (IUI) and in-vitro fertilization (IVF). For many couples considering either, it may be hard to choose between the two. Comparing both options can help you determine the better option for you and your partner.

Key Takeaways

• Assisted reproductive technology therapies (ART) help couples dealing with infertility
• IUI and IVF are the most popular types of both forms of ARTs
• Both IUI and IVF are performed differently and come with benefits and drawbacks. 
• Arious couples try both forms throughout their fertility treatments.

IUI and IVF Compared

Intrauterine insemination (IUI) and in vitro fertilization (IVF) are fertility treatments used to help couples who need help with conception or pregnancy. Though they have some similarities, they are also different in many ways. Let’s look at both in depth. 

What is an IUI?

Intrauterine insemination or artificial insemination is a fertility treatment where a collected sperm sample is inserted in the uterus of the potentially pregnant female. The IUI procedure can be done at Ivy Fertility, and it’s relatively quick and painless. The sperm is prepared beforehand by removing the seminal fluid and concentrating the sperm. 

The goal is to time the IUI during a woman's natural ovulation. As the female gets hormonal therapy and ovary stimulation, a sperm sample undergoes sperm wash, where less viable sperm and other materials in the sample are removed only leaving behind healthy, motile sperm. 

Many couples usually start with an IUI before moving to IVF. This is because an IUI is significantly cheaper than IVF. However, couples may need several cycles before the procedure is successful. In fact, a 2013 study, showed that IUI treatments have a 5 to 15 percent live-birth success rate, which is much lower than an IVF round.

An IUI is for:

• Any male with sperm challenges, including low sperm count and abnormalities in morphology and shape. 
• A female who struggles with ovulation problems
• Any male who struggles with ejaculation
• Males who have or have had testicular cancer. 
• Male partners who have had their sperm frozen
• A pregnancy that requires a donor’s sperm

What is IVF

While IUI is focused on sperm, In vitro fertilization or IVF is focused on the female's eggs. The procedure involves retrieving healthy eggs from a female’s ovaries and fertilizing them in a controlled setting. The healthy embryo fertilized is then inserted into the uterus. The egg retrieval process must be timed well to increase the chances of success. 

A female is taken through hormonal treatments that control the menstrual cycle. These treatments can include estrogen supplements. Once the cycle is regular, the ovary is stimulated using injections with hormones that copy natural hormones. These injections ensure several eggs are released, again to increase the chances of a successful pregnancy. This explains why many women who successfully get pregnant from IVF have multiple babies in one pregnancy.

The egg follicles have to reach the right size before an injection called a “trigger shot,” in IVF is given. The shot is given within the egg retrieval period and contains human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). The trigger shot is given to ensure the eggs develop into full maturity. 

Once the egg has developed to maturity, it is retrieved. The procedure involves the use of a thin needle that’s guided into the ovaries with an ultrasound. The healthcare provider then uses a suction device to extract the eggs. Usually, the patient is put under light anesthesia. 

Next, the egg is fertilized using a sperm sample that goes through “washing” to remove any impurities in the sperm. The embryos are then given a week to mature before they are either implanted in the uterus. If the embryos are not being used, they can be frozen for future rounds of treatment.

A successful embryo is then inserted into the uterus using a catheter. If successful, the embryo will implant in the uterine lining and potentially develop into a healthy pregnancy. 

After 10-12 days after insertion, a pregnancy test is done to confirm the success of the treatment cycle. The success of an IVF round depends on many factors, however, a 2015 study showed a single round of IVF can result in a 29.5% live birth rate. The more IVF rounds done the higher (63.5%) the higher the live birth rate.   

The IVF process is for individuals who:

• Have unsuccessfully tried the IUI 
• Present with blocked fallopian tubes 
• Present with advanced endometriosis
• Do not ovulate or have low egg supply and quality
• Have extremely low sperm count or motility
• Have undergone a vasectomy
• Male partner with a history of a vasectomy
• Are donating eggs or planning to be a surrogate

Which Should You Choose?

Finding the right fertility treatment can be daunting. Many healthcare providers recommend starting with an IUI because it is less invasive and affordable. An IUI can cost at most $4,000 dollars while an IVF round can cost up to $20,000. However, as seen, though IVF is more expensive, it has a higher chance of success when compared to the  IUI.

The IUI can be a good option for couples struggling with ovulatory issues or unexplained infertility but less successful in cases where low sperm or egg quality causes infertility. The IVF works best where a blocked fallopian tube or endometriosis is affecting fertility. 

Bottom Line

Both these fertility treatments are great options for couples struggling the conceive or carry a healthy pregnancy to term. Many couples who have had multiple unsuccessful rounds of IUI will then try IVF as a secondary option. While it is more expensive and more invasive than IUI, IVF has been found to have a significantly higher success rate than IUI. Your fertility doctor will perform the necessary tests to determine which option offers you the best chances of success.