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Intrauterine insemination (IUI) treatment at TFP Fertility
IUI, also known as artificial insemination, is a simple procedure where motile sperm are released into the uterus to swim to and fertilise the egg naturally. This is done at the point of ovulation to maximise the chance of fertilisation. We’ve successfully used IUI to help create thousands of families.
Want to know if this is for you? You can talk to one of our fertility experts.
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What is IUI treatment?
Intrauterine insemination (IUI) is a fertility treatment where healthy, high-quality sperm are chosen from a sample in our lab and injected into your womb around the time you’re ovulating.
By introducing the sperm directly into your womb, a higher number of healthy sperm can reach the egg, increasing the chances of your egg being fertilised.
IUI can be performed using your partner’s sperm or donor sperm.
Is IUI right for me?
When you come to see us, the first thing we’ll do is run a series of tests to better understand if IUI might be a good option for you. We may recommend IUI treatment if:
Your partner has a low sperm count or their sperm have poor motility, so don’t move normally
You’re unable to have vaginal intercourse, for example, because of a physical disability
You have no fertility issues, but you’d like to use donated sperm
You have ovulation problems
There’s a physical issue preventing sperm from moving up the uterine cavity, for example, a narrow cervical canal
You or your partner have a condition that means you need specialist help to achieve a safe pregnancy, such as men who are HIV positive having their sperm washed
Can I benefit from IUI treatment?
We offer IUI treatment to:
Heterosexual couples unable to conceive because of fertility problems
Female couples
Single women using donor sperm
Our clinics are welcoming and friendly, we’re committed to helping you create the family you want.
IUI vs IVF: What are the differences?
Choosing between IUI and IVF can be tricky, as you want to choose the best, most effective treatment for you and your particular situation.
We’re here to help guide and support you every step of the way, and knowing some of the main differences may help you decide which option is right for you:
IUI is less expensive than IVF
IUI is a less invasive procedure than IVF because no egg collection is required, and less medication is used
IUI has lower success rates than IVF, so more cycles may be necessary
IUI is less likely to work than IVF if you have severe fertility problems
You may be more likely to have twins or triplets through IUI than IVF
What is the success rate of IUI?
At your consultation, we’ll discuss with you the likelihood of becoming pregnant after your IUI cycle.
Success rates for IUI are around a third of the success rates for IVF, but this is because there can be many other factors affecting your fertility and the chance of you becoming pregnant.
One of the main factors is age. The younger you are, the higher the chance you have of becoming pregnant. This doesn’t mean that becoming pregnant later in life isn’t possible though, and we have dedicated specialists who work with women over 40 to help support their fertility journey.
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How much does IUI cost?
The cost of IUI at TFP Fertility UK varies because we carefully tailor treatment and care plans to meet your individual needs and give you the best chance of success. A typical IUI cycle includes:
A health check of your fallopian tubes
Ultrasound scans
Fertility medication if needed
Washing and preparing the sperm
Insemination
You can find a detailed price list for all treatments and procedures on each TFP Fertility clinic page.
Find your nearest clinic, or use our contact form to request a confidential chat about your circumstances, whether IUI is right for you, and to take you through the costs.
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Get started
Speak to one of our fertility experts about your next steps, including any tests and scans you might need, your payment options, and to book your first consultation.
Simply fill out our form or give us a call on 0808 208 5194.
IUI step by step
We precisely tailor each treatment to meet your specific needs and circumstances. Typically, though, your IUI cycle will follow the five steps outlined below.
Checking your fallopian tubes
You can only have IUI if your fallopian tubes are open and healthy. To check this, we use a procedure called HyCoSy (hysterosalpingo contrast sonography), where a special dye is injected into your womb.
One of our sonographers uses a vaginal ultrasound to see if the dye passes through your fallopian tubes without any problems.
HyCoSy takes around thirty minutes, and you may experience mild to moderate discomfort and cramping. Taking over-the-counter anti-inflammatory pain relief half an hour beforehand can help with this.
Fertility drugs
You may be offered IUI in a stimulated or natural cycle. A stimulated cycle means we’ll prescribe you fertility medication to boost your egg production, increasing the chance of more eggs being collected.
Scans
If you’re prescribed fertility drugs, you’ll have ultrasound scans to check how many ovarian follicles are developing. A follicle is a small sac of fluid in the ovaries that contains a growing egg.
If too many follicles develop during your IUI cycle, your treatment may have to be stopped because of the risk of a multiple pregnancy. If we suspect this might be the case, we’ll discuss the options with you.
Hormone injection
Shortly before insemination, you’ll be given a hormone injection called a trigger injection. This helps eggs to mature and be released, ready to travel down the fallopian tube and meet the sperm.
Insemination
Your partner’s or donor’s sperm is washed and prepared around the same time you’re releasing eggs from your ovaries.
Washing the sperm is a process that removes seminal fluid and other debris, so the sperm is highly concentrated, and this also reduces the risk of irritation to your womb. The best quality sperm is selected and injected into your womb, using a flexible, thin tube called a catheter.
This process only takes a few minutes and is relatively pain-free, you may just experience some mild cramping. You should be able to go home after a short rest.
What happens after my IUI?
After insemination, we’ll give you a date to take a home pregnancy test. This will be around two weeks after the treatment.
We know this is a very challenging wait but, although tempting, we advise not testing before this date, as the results could be misleading. During this time, call us if you have any questions or concerns.
We offer a range of supporting therapies, such as reflexology and acupuncture, which can relieve stress and help you feel better, physically and emotionally. You can book these at any point on your fertility journey with us.
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How long does a cycle of IUI take?
A typical cycle of IUI takes around four weeks. We’ll always tailor treatment to suit your individual needs, so this time frame can vary. We’ll discuss in detail how long each stage will be for you and answer any questions you may have about the process and how to prepare for it.
Are there any risks with IUI?
IUI is generally a very safe, minimally invasive, and relatively painless procedure. One concern is that you could have a multiple pregnancy (twins, triplets, or more). This could cause serious health risks to you and the babies you’re carrying.
Taking fertility drugs during an IUI will increase your chances of having a multiple pregnancy. As a result, we’ll always scan you to check how many ovarian follicles are developing.
If too many follicles do develop during your IUI cycle, we’ll talk to you about the possibility of stopping your treatment this cycle. We want to give you the best chance at a healthy and safe pregnancy.
If we do need to stop your treatment, it can be difficult news to hear, but we will be here to support you and make sure you are getting the best possible advice.
Considering using donor sperm?
We can match you with a suitable donor from our own sperm bank. Or if you choose to use sperm from somewhere else, we can give you lots of helpful advice and guidance.
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Ready to start your fertility journey? We're here for you
Speak to our patient support team for advice about your options and to book your first consultation with a fertility expert.