IUI Treatment (Intrauterine Insemination)

Medically reviewed by Dr. Shweta Agarwal, MBBS, DGO, Reproductive Medicine (IVF). Last updated: June 2026.

Information on this page is educational and does not replace a medical consultation. Outcomes depend on individual clinical factors.

At Aansh Hospital & IVF Center — a government-registered Level-2 ART clinic (Reg. No. MH/AC/2024/15441/L2/Chandrapur/132) and part of a growing chain of fertility centers across Vidarbha and northern Telangana — IUI sperm preparation is done in-house in our own andrology lab, and your cycle is led personally by Dr. Shweta Agarwal. Many couples do not need IVF; IUI is often the right first step.

What is IUI (intrauterine insemination)?

IUI places a prepared sperm sample directly into the uterine cavity using a thin, flexible catheter — bypassing the cervix and depositing sperm closer to the fallopian tubes where fertilisation occurs. Unlike IVF, fertilisation takes place inside the body. No egg retrieval, sedation, or laboratory fertilisation is needed.

IUI is less invasive, less expensive, and has a shorter treatment cycle than IVF. It is often the appropriate first step when the fallopian tubes are open, the sperm count is mildly reduced but not severely abnormal, and there are no major anatomical barriers to conception.

Who is the right candidate for IUI?

IUI is most effective in the following situations:

• Mild male factor infertility — slightly below-normal sperm count or motility, with at least several million total motile sperm available after washing. A semen analysis is needed to confirm suitability.
• Unexplained infertility — when all standard diagnostic tests return normal results for both partners but conception has not occurred after 12 months (or 6 months if the woman is over 35)
• Ovulation disorders / PCOS — women with infrequent or absent ovulation who respond to stimulation medication. PCOS is a common indication for IUI combined with ovulation induction.
• Cervical factor infertility — thick or hostile cervical mucus that prevents sperm from reaching the uterus
• Single women / same-sex female couples using donor sperm through a registered ART bank (see donor program)

IUI is generally not appropriate when:

• Both fallopian tubes are blocked or damaged (IVF is required)
• Severe male factor infertility (IVF with ICSI is required)
• Significant endometriosis affecting tubes or ovaries
• Low ovarian reserve where stimulation is unlikely to produce a suitable response

How does the IUI process work, step by step?

1. Ovarian stimulation (optional but common): Oral medication (clomiphene citrate or letrozole) or low-dose FSH injections are given from Day 2–5 of the cycle to encourage one or two dominant follicles to develop. Natural-cycle IUI (no stimulation) is also possible in selected cases.

2. Follicle monitoring: Ultrasound scans — typically 2–3 visits — track follicle development and determine the optimal time for insemination. When the leading follicle reaches approximately 18–20 mm, a trigger injection (hCG) may be given to time ovulation precisely.

3. Sperm preparation (sperm washing): On the day of the procedure, the male partner provides a semen sample. In our andrology lab, the sample is processed to concentrate actively motile sperm and remove seminal fluid (which contains prostaglandins that would cause cramping if placed inside the uterus). Sperm washing typically takes 1–2 hours.

4. Insemination: The prepared sperm suspension is loaded into a fine catheter and gently passed through the cervix into the uterine cavity. The procedure takes approximately 5–10 minutes and feels similar to a Pap smear — mild cramping is possible but sedation is not required. You can return to normal activity immediately.

5. Luteal phase: Some protocols add a short course of progesterone after insemination to support the uterine lining.

6. Pregnancy test: A blood or urine test is done approximately 14 days after insemination.

How many IUI cycles before considering IVF?

Clinical evidence supports attempting 3–6 IUI cycles before moving to IVF, provided:

• The female partner's tube(s) remain patent
• The sperm parameters remain within IUI-suitable range
• The woman's age and ovarian reserve do not make early IVF more appropriate

If IUI has not resulted in pregnancy after 3–6 attempts, IVF is typically the recommended next step. The decision depends on age, diagnosis, and individual clinical factors — Dr. Shweta Agarwal will advise based on your specific situation.

What does IUI cost at Aansh?

IUI is one of the more affordable fertility treatments. Indicatively, IUI costs ₹5,000 – ₹10,000 per cycle, excluding medications, which are quoted separately as they vary by protocol. Final cost depends on individual clinical evaluation.

• Medications are quoted separately as they vary by protocol
• 0% EMI options are available — see IVF cost & EMI for full details

What are the risks of IUI?

IUI is a safe procedure. The main risks arise from the medications used for stimulation, not the insemination itself:

• Multiple pregnancy — if more than one follicle develops and ovulation occurs from multiple eggs. The risk is managed by careful monitoring and converting or cancelling cycles with too many follicles. Single-follicle or double-follicle cycles are preferred.
• Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) — rare with the low doses used for IUI; more common with injectable gonadotrophins than with oral medication. Women with PCOS are at higher risk and require closer monitoring.
• Mild cramping or spotting — normal following insemination; resolves within hours
• Ectopic pregnancy — rare; occurs in less than 1% of IUI pregnancies; monitored with early scan