IUI vs IVF

There are many reasons why people may want to undergo fertility treatments. In-vitro fertilization(IVF) and intrauterine insemination(IUI) are fertility treatments used to help patients suffering from infertility. Usually, people get wrong about IUI and IVF treatment.

The main difference between these two procedures is that IUI is a process in which sperm is injected into the uterus to the implant, and IVF is a procedure that takes place outside the body and results in the transferred embryo to implant.

What is IUI (Intrauterine Insemination)?

Intrauterine insemination (IUI) is a method of artificial insemination for treating infertility. The sperm, which have been washed and concentrated, are carefully placed inside the uterus when the ovary releases one or more eggs for fertilization.

The desired result of intrauterine insemination (IUI) is for sperm to reach the fallopian tubes and fertilize a waiting egg. According to your reasons for infertility, IUI can be coordinated with your normal cycle or with fertility medications.

What is IVF (In Vitro Ferilization)?

In-vitro fertilization is the most effective form of assisted reproductive technology. It is a complex series of procedures used to help with fertility or prevent genetic problems and assist with the conception of a child. The process of having an IVF cycle consists of getting mature eggs from the ovaries, fertilizing them with sperm in a lab, transferring the embryo to a uterus, and finally waiting for a time period.

The IUI Process

The process of IUI consists of 6 steps:

Consultation: For IVF, both the male and female partners undergo a medical examination by an IVF specialist followed by diagnosis and a preconception check-up with the embryologist. During this check-up, the male partner's sperm is examined and analyzed to ensure it meets specific quality standards.
Monitoring of follicles: During this step, the woman takes fertility drugs. After that, the ovary specialist monitors the development of the follicle using an ultrasound device. The growth of the follicles is measured based on data from the ultrasound device.
Harvesting of sperm: On the day of insemination, the male partner is asked to provide a sperm sample. The healthiest sperm among them is then selected.
Insemination: The insemination procedure is a simple process. The sperm is placed closer to the egg by liquifying the semen and injecting it into the uterus. This makes it easier for the sperm to reach the egg. If this procedure is repeated multiple times, the chances of pregnancy improve.
Pregnancy test after the procedure: The specialist may prescribe medications to help women get pregnant. The doctor also gives the timeframe during which to take pregnancy tests to determine whether or not she is pregnant.

The IVF Process

The process of IVF consists of 5 steps:

Ovarian Stimulation: During the first step, a woman takes medication so that healthy eggs are produced. Most months, women make only one egg, but with IVF, they stimulate 10-15 eggs to increase their chances of becoming pregnant.
Egg Retrieval: The next step of IVF treatment involves the harvesting of eggs. Egg retrieval is done while a woman sleeps under a general anesthetic. Once completed, an embryologist examines the eggs under a microscope to count them.
Fertilisation: The next thing that happens is the fertilization of eggs and sperm. The timing is crucial here. The eggs are retrieved, and then, after a few hours, they're fertilized with sperm. There are two ways to fertilize an egg: Conventional insemination or ICSI. In conventional insemination, the sperm is placed in a dish containing an egg to allow them to fertilize on their own. In ICSI, one sperm is injected into the cytoplasm of a fertilized egg using a needle.
Blastocyst Culture: Once the sperm fertilizes the egg, it becomes an embryo. The embryo is then placed in a unique incubator by embryologist, where the embryo is provided with the proper condition to develop and grow. Adequate monitoring of the embryo is done for 5-6 days.
Embryo Transfer: The final step is Embryo Transfer. Once the embryo develops to the blastocyst stage, it is implanted into the uterus using a small tube called Catheter. It usually takes place within 3-5 days after fertilisation. Once the embryo is transferred to the uterus, it is allowed to the implant, and a blood test is carried on after two weeks to measure the hormone HCG.

When is IUI Recommended?

Nowadays, male infertility is becoming more and more common. 40% of the couples who face problems with not being able to conceive naturally have a male infertility problem, which can be easily treated. The most common male infertility problem is low sperm count. In the case of low sperm count, Intra-Uterine Insemination is a popular treatment. Collecting semen involves asking a male partner to provide a sample, processing it, and then injecting it into an egg. Once it's ready, the semen sample is washed and inserted into the uterus.

Once the washed sperm is released into the fallopian tube, it will travel to the fallopian tube to meet the female oocyte (egg). It is a type of treatment that is suitable for cases of low sperm count and unexplained infertility.

Moreover, IUI is recommended for women with PCOD and mild endometriosis. With this procedure, the doctor injects washed male sperm into the uterus when the egg is ready. IUI is also recommended in a woman who has hostile cervical mucus.

When is IVF Recommended?

IVF treatment is recommended for women who suffer from infertility issues. There are a variety of problems that women could have that prevent them from conceiving, ranging from ovulation disorders to hormonal problems to cysts in the ovaries to endometriosis and blocked fallopian tubes.

In vitro fertilization has proven to be the most successful fertility treatment, and its popularity is more significant than all other fertility treatments. This is because IVF can help patients with any fertility problem to have a baby.

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Polina Pylypenko • July 26, 2021