IUI vs IVF: Which one is right for you?

Reproductive medicine offers different options for solving the infertility problem. If you decide to employ fertility specialists’ services, the question may arise: choose in vitro fertilization (IVF) or intrauterine insemination (IUI). The answer to this question is simple – it depends on the severity of infertility and the doctor's recommendations, given that the procedures solve various problems. IVF is a more technically complex and time-consuming process, but with its help, couples with severe forms of infertility can have a baby. Sometimes, in vitro fertilization is undue, and IUI will be enough.

What are the differences between IVF and IUI?

• In IUI, the fertilization process is as close to natural as possible – the sperm and the egg meet in the fallopian tube or uterus, and the fertility specialist does not affect fertilization in any way. In IVF, specialists control the process, and in some protocols (ICSI), they choose the most viable spermatozoon and help it to overcome the egg cell membrane.
• IUI is done with or without hormonal ovarian stimulation.If we talk about IVF, this stage is an integral part.
• Another difference is the chances of multiple pregnancies.In IUI, they do not differ from the average.In IVF, they increase since, to raise the pregnancy chances, the staff of the Clinic places several embryos in the uterus.
• In IVF, geneticists can conduct embryonic DNA studies to pre-screen samples that have mutations.With intrauterine insemination, this is not possible.You can determine pathologies already on ultrasound or after childbirth.

Only an experienced fertility specialist can choose a method of fertilization after reviewing the medical history and finding out the causes of infertility.