When couples are told they need fertility treatment, two names come up most often: IUI and IVF. They’re very different in terms of what’s involved, cost, success rates and who they’re best suited for. Here’s a clear guide to help you understand both.
IUI – Intrauterine Insemination
IUI is the simpler of the two. Prepared sperm is placed directly into the uterus via a thin catheter at the time of ovulation. It can be done with or without mild ovarian stimulation.
Who IUI Is Best For:
- Unexplained infertility (normal tubes, normal sperm, normal ovulation)
- Mild male factor infertility (slightly low count or motility)
- Cervical factor infertility
- Women who ovulate irregularly (with ovulation induction + IUI) ovulation induction
- Single women using donor sperm
IUI Success Rates:
Typically 10–20% per cycle. Most specialists recommend 3–6 cycles before moving to IVF if unsuccessful.
IUI Cost (Chandigarh):
Significantly less expensive than IVF – typically ₹8,000–₹15,000 per cycle including monitoring and insemination.
IVF – In Vitro Fertilisation
IVF involves stimulating the ovaries to produce multiple eggs, retrieving them, fertilising them with sperm in a laboratory, and transferring the resulting embryo(s) into the uterus.
Who IVF Is Best For:
- Blocked or damaged fallopian tubes
- Severe male factor infertility
- Failed IUI cycles
- Advanced maternal age (over 38)
- Low ovarian reserve
- Severe endometriosis
- When preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) is needed
IVF Success Rates:
30–50% per cycle in women under 35, declining with age. Cumulatively over multiple cycles, success rates are higher.
The Decision Is Personal and Medical
The “right” treatment depends entirely on your diagnosis. Starting with IUI when IVF is clearly indicated wastes time and money. Starting with IVF when IUI could work is unnecessarily invasive.
A proper fertility evaluation tells us which path makes most sense for you fertility evaluation. Book your fertility consultation at Sadhbhavna Clinics Chandigarh and let’s make an evidence-based plan.