Intrauterine Insemination (IUI)
Intrauterine insemination (IUI) is a fertility treatment in which prepared, concentrated sperm is placed directly into the uterus around the time of ovulation. By shortening the journey for the sperm and timing it precisely, IUI improves the chance of fertilization. It is a simple, minimally invasive option often tried before more involved treatments such as IVF.
Medically reviewed by the Florence Healthcare medical team · Last reviewed June 2026
Overview
IUI is one of the most widely used first-line fertility treatments. The cycle usually takes about 10 to 12 days and is timed to ovulation — either a natural cycle or one gently stimulated with medication and tracked by ultrasound and hormone monitoring. On the day of insemination, a semen sample is prepared in the laboratory to concentrate the healthiest, most active sperm, which are then passed through a fine, soft catheter directly into the uterus. The procedure is quick, usually painless and does not require anesthesia. It is often recommended for unexplained infertility, mild male-factor issues, ovulation problems or when donor sperm is used.
Our infertility and IVF center provides careful cycle monitoring and laboratory sperm preparation, and advises clearly on how many cycles are reasonable before considering IVF. For international patients, a coordinator helps align the treatment with your menstrual cycle and travel plans and provides a transparent, personalized cost estimate before you come. Our specialists can review your fertility tests and partner's semen analysis remotely, so suitability for IUI is assessed in advance and your visit is planned around the right point in your cycle.
Who is a candidate?
- Couples with unexplained infertility after a reasonable period of trying
- Couples with mild male-factor infertility where sperm numbers or movement are slightly reduced
- Women with ovulation difficulties that respond to gentle stimulation
- Those using donor sperm, including single women and same-sex couples
- Women with at least one open fallopian tube and a healthy uterine cavity
- Couples for whom a simpler treatment is appropriate before considering IVF
What happens
- 1
Assessment and planning
The fertility team reviews your history, hormone tests, an assessment of the fallopian tubes and a semen analysis to confirm IUI is suitable and to plan a natural or lightly stimulated cycle.
- 2
Cycle monitoring
Your cycle is tracked with ultrasound scans and hormone checks to follow the developing follicle and pinpoint ovulation, sometimes helped by medication and a trigger injection.
- 3
Sperm preparation
On the day of insemination, the semen sample (from a partner or donor) is prepared in the laboratory to concentrate the most active, healthy sperm in a small volume.
- 4
The insemination
A speculum is placed as in a routine examination, and the prepared sperm is passed through a fine, soft catheter into the uterus. It takes only a few minutes and usually causes little or no discomfort.
- 5
The wait and test
You can resume normal activity immediately. After about two weeks a pregnancy test confirms the result, and the team advises on next steps, whether that is repeating IUI or considering IVF.
Benefits
- Simple, quick and minimally invasive, with no need for anesthesia
- Less involved and more affordable than IVF as a first-line option
- Places healthy, prepared sperm closer to the egg at the optimal time
- Performed as a short outpatient visit, fitting conveniently around travel
- Suitable for a range of situations, including the use of donor sperm
Risks & considerations
- No guarantee of pregnancy in any single cycle; several attempts are often needed
- A higher chance of twins or multiple pregnancy when fertility medication is used
- Mild cramping or light spotting shortly after the procedure
- A small risk of pelvic infection, which is uncommon
- Ovarian over-response to stimulating medication, which monitoring helps prevent
Conditions this treats
Where it is performed
This procedure is delivered by our Infertility & IVF Center.
Learn more before you decide
Provider-reviewed guides on the related conditions, symptoms and tests in our Health Library.
Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) — frequently asked questions
IUI is far less costly than IVF, and the price depends on whether medication and monitoring are used. Your coordinator prepares a transparent, personalized estimate before you travel. Because the procedure is timed to ovulation, you typically plan to be available for the monitoring scans and the insemination over part of one cycle.
Yes. You can send your hormone results, tubal assessment and your partner's semen analysis for a remote review, so our specialists confirm whether IUI is the right first step or whether IVF would be more effective, and plan your visit around your cycle.
Most women find it similar to a routine smear test. A speculum is used and a fine, soft catheter passes the sperm into the uterus, which may cause brief, mild cramping but does not require any anesthesia.
Several cycles are commonly recommended before moving on, as the chance accumulates over attempts. Your specialist will advise a sensible number for your situation and discuss when IVF becomes the better option.
Success per cycle is moderate and depends on factors such as age, the cause of infertility and whether medication is used. It is lower than IVF per attempt, which is why a few cycles are often planned. Your team will give realistic guidance for your circumstances.
IUI places prepared sperm into the uterus so fertilization happens naturally inside the body. IVF retrieves eggs and fertilizes them in the laboratory before transferring an embryo. IUI is simpler and less costly; IVF has higher per-cycle success and suits more complex cases.
Related treatments
Considering intrauterine insemination (iui)?
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