Couples unable to conceive naturally may consider seeking fertility treatment. Now, the question is what kind of fertility treatment is needed. Intrauterine insemination (IUI) and in-vitro fertilization (IVF) are the two most commonly used fertility treatments.
You will undergo some tests, and then your fertility doctor will know which fertility treatment will work for you. You may know the likelihood of success in conception with each type of treatment through your fertility doctor.
Many couples do not know the difference between IUI and IVF. So, before your fertility specialist advises you to undergo any of them – know what they entail.
What is IUI Treatment?
Generally, couples with infertility start with IUI treatment which is considerably less invasive than IVF. IUI is a simple procedure performed in the doctor’s clinic or office. The lab washes the sperm to remove the seminal fluid and concentrate the sperm.
Next, the doctor places the sperm collected and processed in the lab into the uterine cavity. Because the sperm is placed higher in the uterine cavity, it avoids the cervix and tours quickly into the fallopian tubes. This advances the amount of sperm that will be able to meet the egg.
IUI can be conducted during the woman’s natural ovulation cycle or with the support of fertility treatments to boost ovulation function. You can know if you or your partner is ovulating through an over-the-counter ovulation predictor kit. For couples who cannot conceive due to travel, work, or sexual dysfunction, IUI is a good alternative for them.
It’s necessary to remember that many women who undergo IUI are given hormones or medicine to help them ovulate or boost the number of eggs they ovulate each month. This raises the likelihood of a couple conceiving twins or multiples.
Read: Everything about IUI Treatment
What is IVF Treatment?
IVF treatment, undoubtedly, is the most prevalent and successful fertility method. This procedure takes place on the external body using medical techniques. The baby conceived using IVF refers to a test tube baby since it is born outside the uterus.
IVF, also known as assisted reproductive technology (ART), is a fertility treatment in which a man’s sperm and a woman’s eggs are combined outside the woman’s body in a laboratory setting.
The female takes fertility medicine to stimulate her ovaries and aid in effective egg retrieval before implantation may take place. The egg retrieval and insemination procedures are both executed on the same day.
After fertilization, the experts will closely watch the embryos to decide when to transfer them to the uterus.
Read: Step-By-Step IVF Procedure
IUI and IVF: What’s Common?
Both IVF and IUI have a few similar things, and they’re usually related to the preparation of treatment and the fundamental process of human conception.
Both IUI and IVF may involve a fertility medicine regimen before insemination or fertilization to grow fertilization success rates or, in the case of IVF, to assist in ovulation and egg retrieval. Both treatments may also include techniques for isolating the highest-quality sperm from supplied samples for conception.
For IVF and IUI to be a success, an egg needs to be fertilized, then implanted in the lining of the uterus and further grow into an infant/s. So, this is pretty much the core depiction of the internal dynamics of human conception.
IUI vs IVF: What’s the Difference?
In the IUI procedure, the fertilization happens internally, and in IVF treatment, the fertilization takes place externally. This is one of the key differences between IUI and IVF. In the IUI procedure, sperm is injected into the woman’s uterus directly. So, if fertilization is successful, embryos implant there.
In the IVF procedure, the fertilization takes place in a laboratory setting. For fertilization, the sperm and the egg are combined, and one or more of the successfully fertilized eggs are deposited in the woman’s uterus. In an ideal world, the fertilized egg would implant in the uterine lining, resulting in pregnancy and the birth of a full-term baby or kids.
Moreover, the success rate of IVF is higher than IUI. When we consider the price part, the cost of IUI is cheaper than IVF, and the process is also less invasive. Generally, when a couple cannot conceive even after three rounds of IUI, they’re advised to move on to IVF.
IUI vs IVF: Which One is for You?
The IUI treatment needs functioning ovaries, viable eggs, fallopian tubes, and motile sperms after the ejaculation of the male partner is attained. On the other hand, IVF is considered for several types of infertility, like tubal issues, endometriosis, age factors, unexplained infertility, and many more.
The ideal way to know whether you will need IVF and IUI is by consulting Dr. Manish Banker at Banker IVF, the best IVF centre in Ahmedabad. Dr. Banker, with his team of fertility experts, will assist you in starting your family the correct way.