The gentle first step, done right.
A 10-minute procedure that places prepared sperm exactly where — and when — it needs to be.
The Most Misunderstood Treatment
Intrauterine insemination is often described as a gentler alternative to IVF, which sets the wrong expectation from the start. IUI is not a weaker IVF. It is a different intervention solving a different problem, and understanding that distinction saves couples a great deal of time and money.
What IUI actually does is shorten the journey sperm has to make and improve its quality on arrival. A semen sample is washed and concentrated in the laboratory, removing seminal fluid, dead sperm and debris, and the resulting concentrated preparation of motile sperm is placed directly into the uterine cavity with a fine catheter at the precise moment of ovulation. The cervix, which filters out the large majority of sperm in natural intercourse, is bypassed completely.
What IUI cannot do is equally important. It cannot fix blocked fallopian tubes, because sperm and egg still have to meet inside the tube. It cannot compensate for severely low sperm counts, because it concentrates what is there rather than creating more. And it cannot overcome poor egg quality. For those situations IUI is not a gentler first step — it is simply the wrong tool, and attempting it delays effective treatment.
The evidence on how many cycles to attempt is consistent and worth taking seriously. The great majority of IUI successes occur within the first three to four properly monitored cycles. Beyond that the per-cycle chance falls off sharply, and continuing becomes a poor use of both time and money. A candid conversation at that point about moving to IVF is not a failure of the treatment; it is the treatment working as intended, having ruled out what it could.
Who IUI Genuinely Helps
Mild male factor infertility
Where washing concentrates enough good sperm.
Cervical factor issues
Where mucus blocks natural sperm progression.
Ovulation problems
Combined with induction medicines for perfect timing.
Unexplained infertility
Especially early in the journey for younger couples.
What an IUI Cycle Involves
Confirm It Is Appropriate
At least one open tube on HSG and an adequate motile sperm count. Without both, IUI is the wrong treatment.
Cycle Preparation
Either a natural tracked cycle, or mild stimulation with tablets to recruit one or two mature follicles.
Follicular Monitoring
Scans track follicle growth so the insemination lands on the day of ovulation rather than near it.
Trigger
An injection sets ovulation to a predictable point, usually about 36 hours ahead.
Sperm Preparation
The sample is washed and concentrated in the lab on the day, isolating the most motile fraction.
The Insemination
A soft catheter places the prepared sperm into the uterus. It takes minutes, needs no anaesthesia, and feels much like a smear.
Review After 3 to 4 Cycles
If IUI has not worked within that window, an honest reassessment matters more than repeating it further.
Key Benefits
- Cost-effective first step
- Non-surgical, 10 minute procedure
- Increases sperm concentration at the egg
- Can be synced with ovulation medications
Ready to Take the Gentle First Step?
One consultation and a few targeted tests will tell you honestly if IUI fits your case.