IUI What to Expect

During IUI, a clinician passes a thin catheter through the cervix and places prepared sperm higher in the reproductive tract than intercourse does. The sperm sample is washed first so seminal fluid and debris are reduced. The visit itself is often brief. The waiting around scans, trigger shots, and the two week wait is the longer part.

IUI is not IVF. There is no egg collection. Fertilisation still happens inside the body. That is why open tubes, some motile sperm, and decent timing still matter.

People use IUI for unexplained subfertility, mild male factor, donor sperm, and some cases where vaginal intercourse is not possible or not chosen. It is a poor fit when both tubes are blocked.

The lab processes the sample to concentrate motile sperm. Partner sperm or donor vials can be used. Clinics give abstinence instructions, often two to three days. A very low motile count after wash may lead them to cancel or to talk about IVF or ICSI instead.

If you already have a semen analysis, read it against WHO 6th edition limits in the semen analysis result guide. One low line is not a verdict, and IUI is a clinic decision, not an app recommendation.

Clinics time IUI with ultrasound, luteinising hormone tests, or an hCG trigger. Some cycles are unstimulated. Others use oral medicines or injectable stimulation. More stimulation can mean more follicles and more monitoring, not a guaranteed higher live birth.

At home, ovulation tests can still show you the window. The OPK start day calculator helps you open the first strip on time. ClearLine can read those strips. It does not replace clinic scans.

Advertised IUI can be the insemination visit only. Monitoring scans, blood tests, sperm wash, fertility medicines, and a cancelled cycle are often extra. Typical private self pay in 2025 sits in native currency bands, not a live FX conversion. Use the IUI cost and success comparator for UK, US, Canada, Australia, Ireland, and a euro typical private band.

Public or insurance cover is a note, not a benefits calculator. NHS IUI is limited and varies by ICB. Medicare in Australia may rebate some items. Some US states mandate cover. Ask for a written quote and what is excluded.

IUI success is usually quoted as pregnancy or live birth per cycle. Under 35 with open tubes, many series sit around 10 to 20 percent pregnancy per cycle. Live birth is lower. Age, sperm quality, and stimulation change the band.

People often try 3 to 6 cycles before talking about IVF, sooner with age. That is a pattern, not a rule. If a clinic quotes IVF next, decode the denominator with the IVF success rate decoder.

If an hCG trigger was used, a home pregnancy test can be a false positive until the shot clears. Follow the clinic blood test date when you can. Read when to take a pregnancy test. Photograph strips with ClearLine if you still test at home so the wait is less of a squint.

HFEA patient information on IUI sits alongside clinic counselling. Take printed quotes and your own questions, including what happens if the cycle is cancelled.