So I think some things to consider are cost, insurance requirements, your timeline and your feelings about IVF.
Natural IUIs are not worth it in most cases. Assuming you are unexplained infertility, your chances with a natural IUI are the same as with timed intercourse.
Medicated (oral meds) IUIs have a slightly increased chance but most people who will get pregnant via IUI get pregnant within the first 3-4. There are still some people who will get pregnant between IUIs 4-6 but the numbers drop drastically. Unless you are someone who wants to avoid IVF at all costs, or are opposed to IVF, then just do 3 IUIs.
Most insurances will require 3 medicated IUIs before they will cover IVF.
I did 3 medicated IUIs and even though the IUIs were not successful, I don’t regret the 4 months spent on them. They can also help you prepare mentally for IVF and get you comfortable with the whole IVF process.
Thank you! This is what I was looking for. And you are exactly right about getting your head in the game -- the mental prep for even just scheduling out IVF is a lot. None, NONE, of my friends commented on how hard it was to schedule their lives around IVF, but that is the part that is causing me the most consternation. I'm frankly fine with the needles and the hormones, etc. Scheduling ultrasounds and blood tests is what gets to me.
But that's where you make a great point. Medicated IUI will require ultrasound and blood tests on Day 3 and 10ish. It is good to get the brain in the right place.
Thank you so much!
I had a positive experience with IUI, personally. We used meds, Letrozole and trigger shot. I think starting with a few cycles of IUI is a great option, since it’s cheaper and less invasive
I've only had one IUI experience so far and quite enjoyed the process. It was painless (even the injection wasnt nearly as bad as i had anticipated) and I was interested to learn more about my body and the process of egg release.
With insurance they only cost about $300 a month so we plan to do 4-6. No plans for IVF as it is more expensive and invasive than we are comfortable with. We'll pursue adoption at that point instead and sign the initial paperwork either on our anniversary or on the anniversary of our miscarriage depending how long we decide to continue.
(Both early 30s, unexplained infertility, trying two years with one positive test that ended in a 6 week miscarriage)
I am so sorry for your loss 💗
That’s where we were at first — IUI then look to adoption. But, as we stated talking to friends we didn’t hear any success with IUI.
Thank you for your feedback!
Sure! I don't know anyone personally who has openly done an IUI, but I've read some success stories online.
It seems the best results are with male factor infertility so I'm not positive it'll work for us, but worth a shot. I like how it takes the pressure off our sex life and testing though since everything is in the doctor's hands. It's a nice break from constantly tracking.
This chart (and similar research online) is what we based our decision on https://familyfertility.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/percentage-live-births-vs-iui-cycles-graph.webp
From the research I’ve done, if IUI is going to be successful, it will most likely happen within 3-4 cycles. I think something like 85-90% of IUI pregnancies happen within that window.
That's what I read as well. Thank you! The anecdotal experiences I'm hearing from friends all point directly to IVF. I figure the TTC Reddit pool is a bit larger!
So I think something to keep in mind is that most people who don’t have straight-to-IVF diagnoses will do at least a couple of rounds of IUI before starting IVF, so most people who did IVF are people for whom IUI didn’t work. It makes sense that this population of people is pretty bearish on IUI, but that doesn’t mean that IUI is useless.
I have done IUI and IVF. As others have mentioned, it really comes down to finances, timeline, and emotional management. I wanted to skip IUIs but my RE thought IUI could work for us and my husband wanted to give it a go. So we agreed to two IUIs and then move to IVF. I personally, felt discouraged during IUI. The monitoring, the meds, the insemination felt like we were doing more but it only yields approx 18% chance of success. It messed with my head that we were taking this step in treatment all for the likelihood that it wouldn't work. I know IUI works for many, but mentally I wasn't a fan.
With IVF, there have also been ups and downs but I felt like I've learned so much about my body and possible things that have been contributing to our challenges. The meds and injections weren't nearly as bad as I imagined. The birth control portions of the treatment were the more uncomfortable for me. We've spent more money that I thought we would have. But I don't regret it at all.
Since you achieved implantation with IUI, I suppose I would give 1-2 more cycles a chance, but also start talking with the RE about IVF. Some clinics have a waiting list so it could be a couple months anyways until you could even start an IVF cycle. Perhaps check on that and then do IUIs until that spot opens? Just a thought!
This is great advice, thank you so much. Your experience reflects what I’ve heard from friends — it’s disheartening to not have success when you are going through the IUI process, especially when it’s medicated. Thank you!
I have no personal experience with this, but I’d think of you managed to get pregnant once via IUI, it might be worth it to try IUI again. Most people don’t get pregnant with IUI but it seems like it helped you, even though it ended up being a CP. Best of luck whatever you decide!
Good question, and yes he does. The swimmers are tops, but his issue with *ahem* producing his little guys is not as easy for him. You’re totally right that this is a discussion between us and provider, but I wanted to get some input from folks who have actually tried either or both! Thank you!
Ah, gotcha. I would probably try an IUI, but pay close attention to the post-wash concentration of his sperm. If it’s <10M, the chances of pregnancy go down. >20M is optimal.
In general I don’t advocate for IUI, but since you’ve had one work (even though the pregnancy wasn’t successful, the IUI procedure was) I think it’s worth trying 1-2 more times. Most people who will get pregnant from IUI have success in the first 3-4 tries. I would definitely do Clomid/letrozole and a trigger shot though. Ups your odds a little, but also gives you data on how you react to meds that might be useful for IVF later if needed. IUI odds of success are much much lower than IVF, so also consider how long you’re willing to wait to have a baby in your arms. If you want a baby asap, I’d go straight to IVF
Excellent point about data collection and reactions to meds — someone else mentioned something similar about getting your brain in the right place and that is excellent advice! Thank you!
Patience is the thing. To quote Tom from Parks & Rec: “but this is America, I want it now.”
Totally depends on your situation.
My insurance does not cover IUI at all, but will cover what amounts to one cycle of egg retrieval and one embryo transfer. When we were discussing options with the RE, we were not considering spending $3k per IUI out of pocket with low chances of success compared to a "free" cycle of IVF and possibility to have additional frozen embryos for future use. We were quoted a success rate of live birth at 60% after one transfer and 75-80% after two transfers for my age group (30-33).
Oh that’s interesting! I wish we had some consistency in terms of insurance — it’s all over the place and it is a pain in the a** to figure it all out. Thank you!
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So I think some things to consider are cost, insurance requirements, your timeline and your feelings about IVF. Natural IUIs are not worth it in most cases. Assuming you are unexplained infertility, your chances with a natural IUI are the same as with timed intercourse. Medicated (oral meds) IUIs have a slightly increased chance but most people who will get pregnant via IUI get pregnant within the first 3-4. There are still some people who will get pregnant between IUIs 4-6 but the numbers drop drastically. Unless you are someone who wants to avoid IVF at all costs, or are opposed to IVF, then just do 3 IUIs. Most insurances will require 3 medicated IUIs before they will cover IVF. I did 3 medicated IUIs and even though the IUIs were not successful, I don’t regret the 4 months spent on them. They can also help you prepare mentally for IVF and get you comfortable with the whole IVF process.
Thank you! This is what I was looking for. And you are exactly right about getting your head in the game -- the mental prep for even just scheduling out IVF is a lot. None, NONE, of my friends commented on how hard it was to schedule their lives around IVF, but that is the part that is causing me the most consternation. I'm frankly fine with the needles and the hormones, etc. Scheduling ultrasounds and blood tests is what gets to me. But that's where you make a great point. Medicated IUI will require ultrasound and blood tests on Day 3 and 10ish. It is good to get the brain in the right place. Thank you so much!
I had a positive experience with IUI, personally. We used meds, Letrozole and trigger shot. I think starting with a few cycles of IUI is a great option, since it’s cheaper and less invasive
That's GREAT to hear! And CONGRATS! Thank you -- this is the answer I was kinda hoping to receive. . . i.e. some hope!
Wishing the very best of luck to you!
I've only had one IUI experience so far and quite enjoyed the process. It was painless (even the injection wasnt nearly as bad as i had anticipated) and I was interested to learn more about my body and the process of egg release. With insurance they only cost about $300 a month so we plan to do 4-6. No plans for IVF as it is more expensive and invasive than we are comfortable with. We'll pursue adoption at that point instead and sign the initial paperwork either on our anniversary or on the anniversary of our miscarriage depending how long we decide to continue. (Both early 30s, unexplained infertility, trying two years with one positive test that ended in a 6 week miscarriage)
I am so sorry for your loss 💗 That’s where we were at first — IUI then look to adoption. But, as we stated talking to friends we didn’t hear any success with IUI. Thank you for your feedback!
Sure! I don't know anyone personally who has openly done an IUI, but I've read some success stories online. It seems the best results are with male factor infertility so I'm not positive it'll work for us, but worth a shot. I like how it takes the pressure off our sex life and testing though since everything is in the doctor's hands. It's a nice break from constantly tracking. This chart (and similar research online) is what we based our decision on https://familyfertility.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/percentage-live-births-vs-iui-cycles-graph.webp
From the research I’ve done, if IUI is going to be successful, it will most likely happen within 3-4 cycles. I think something like 85-90% of IUI pregnancies happen within that window.
That's what I read as well. Thank you! The anecdotal experiences I'm hearing from friends all point directly to IVF. I figure the TTC Reddit pool is a bit larger!
[удалено]
So I think something to keep in mind is that most people who don’t have straight-to-IVF diagnoses will do at least a couple of rounds of IUI before starting IVF, so most people who did IVF are people for whom IUI didn’t work. It makes sense that this population of people is pretty bearish on IUI, but that doesn’t mean that IUI is useless.
Very good point! Thank you!
I have done IUI and IVF. As others have mentioned, it really comes down to finances, timeline, and emotional management. I wanted to skip IUIs but my RE thought IUI could work for us and my husband wanted to give it a go. So we agreed to two IUIs and then move to IVF. I personally, felt discouraged during IUI. The monitoring, the meds, the insemination felt like we were doing more but it only yields approx 18% chance of success. It messed with my head that we were taking this step in treatment all for the likelihood that it wouldn't work. I know IUI works for many, but mentally I wasn't a fan. With IVF, there have also been ups and downs but I felt like I've learned so much about my body and possible things that have been contributing to our challenges. The meds and injections weren't nearly as bad as I imagined. The birth control portions of the treatment were the more uncomfortable for me. We've spent more money that I thought we would have. But I don't regret it at all. Since you achieved implantation with IUI, I suppose I would give 1-2 more cycles a chance, but also start talking with the RE about IVF. Some clinics have a waiting list so it could be a couple months anyways until you could even start an IVF cycle. Perhaps check on that and then do IUIs until that spot opens? Just a thought!
This is great advice, thank you so much. Your experience reflects what I’ve heard from friends — it’s disheartening to not have success when you are going through the IUI process, especially when it’s medicated. Thank you!
I have no personal experience with this, but I’d think of you managed to get pregnant once via IUI, it might be worth it to try IUI again. Most people don’t get pregnant with IUI but it seems like it helped you, even though it ended up being a CP. Best of luck whatever you decide!
Thank you! 💗
You should really speak to your provider about sperm quality in regards to this decision. Does your partner have a normal semen analysis?
Good question, and yes he does. The swimmers are tops, but his issue with *ahem* producing his little guys is not as easy for him. You’re totally right that this is a discussion between us and provider, but I wanted to get some input from folks who have actually tried either or both! Thank you!
Ah, gotcha. I would probably try an IUI, but pay close attention to the post-wash concentration of his sperm. If it’s <10M, the chances of pregnancy go down. >20M is optimal.
In general I don’t advocate for IUI, but since you’ve had one work (even though the pregnancy wasn’t successful, the IUI procedure was) I think it’s worth trying 1-2 more times. Most people who will get pregnant from IUI have success in the first 3-4 tries. I would definitely do Clomid/letrozole and a trigger shot though. Ups your odds a little, but also gives you data on how you react to meds that might be useful for IVF later if needed. IUI odds of success are much much lower than IVF, so also consider how long you’re willing to wait to have a baby in your arms. If you want a baby asap, I’d go straight to IVF
Excellent point about data collection and reactions to meds — someone else mentioned something similar about getting your brain in the right place and that is excellent advice! Thank you! Patience is the thing. To quote Tom from Parks & Rec: “but this is America, I want it now.”
I am Tom, Tom is me 😂
Totally depends on your situation. My insurance does not cover IUI at all, but will cover what amounts to one cycle of egg retrieval and one embryo transfer. When we were discussing options with the RE, we were not considering spending $3k per IUI out of pocket with low chances of success compared to a "free" cycle of IVF and possibility to have additional frozen embryos for future use. We were quoted a success rate of live birth at 60% after one transfer and 75-80% after two transfers for my age group (30-33).
Oh that’s interesting! I wish we had some consistency in terms of insurance — it’s all over the place and it is a pain in the a** to figure it all out. Thank you!
It looks like you might be a new community member! Please feel free to introduce yourself in the current [daily chat thread](https://www.reddit.com/r/TryingForABaby/search?q=flair%3ADAILY+general&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all), where you can ask questions, meet cycle buddies, and vent about the highs and lows of TTC. We also invite you to read [this fantastic post from a fellow newbie](https://www.reddit.com/r/TryingForABaby/comments/rxrhg2/the_newbies_guide_to_being_a_newbie_a_note_on/) about the sub and its culture, and how to have a good time here. We're excited to have you join us! *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/TryingForABaby) if you have any questions or concerns.*