Intrauterine Insemination (IUI)

Intrauterine insemination (IUI) is a fertility treatment that delivers sperm directly into your uterus. We recommend IUI as a first-line treatment for couples experiencing infertility, or single women and same-sex female couples using donor sperm.

IUI in Pennsylvania: Why Choose Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health?

At Penn Fertility Care - Lancaster General Health, you can expect:

• Experienced team: You have access to a fellowship-trained reproductive endocrinology and infertility doctor, a physician's assistant and nurses. All of our providers have extensive experience performing intrauterine insemination, so you're in the hands of a skilled fertility care team.
• On-site fertility lab: Embryologists handle and store sperm in our on-site fertility lab, the only one of its kind in Lancaster County. You can rest assured that your specimens are safe and secure in our state-of-the-art facility.
• Comfort and convenience: We perform blood tests, ultrasounds and IUI procedures right in our fertility clinic. You receive convenient care from a consistent, familiar team in a relaxing and private environment.

How Does Intrauterine Insemination Work?

Intrauterine insemination (sometimes called artificial insemination) uses a catheter (thin, flexible tube) to place washed and concentrated sperm directly into your uterus.

The goal of IUI is to increase the number of sperm that reach your fallopian tubes, increasing the chances of fertilization. IUI helps sperm bypass the cervix, where mucus can prevent sperm from getting to your fallopian tubes. The procedures also shortens the distance that sperm have to swim to reach the fallopian tubes. We usually recommend IUI in combination with ovulation induction.

Is IUI Right for Me?

We may recommend IUI as a fertility treatment if you or your partner have:

• Endometriosis
• Low sperm count
• An ovulation disorder, such as polycystic ovary syndrome
• Poor sperm movement
• Sexual dysfunction
• Unexplained infertility

What Are the Benefits of IUI?

Benefits of IUI include:

• Increases chances of pregnancy (though IUI success rates are lower than those of IVF)
• Less expensive than IVF
• Less invasive than IVF

How Much Does IUI Cost?

The cost of IUI varies. It depends on whether you need ovulation medication, or are using your partner's sperm or donor sperm. It can cost up to several thousand dollars per cycle. Some people need multiple cycles.

Most insurance plans don't cover IUI. We make sure you're fully aware of your insurance coverage and any out-of-pocket IUI costs when paying for fertility care.

How Successful Is IUI?

IUI success rates vary from 5% to 20% per cycle. Your chances of pregnancy with IUI depend on many factors, including your age, overall health and any reproductive disorders you have.

What Can I Expect During the IUI Process?

During the IUI process, you can expect:

1. Ovulation induction: You take medication to stimulate your ovaries at the beginning of your cycle. The medication helps your body produce eggs.
2. Monitoring: We do imaging exams and blood tests for two weeks to monitor how well your ovarian follicles are growing. The follicles grow and release eggs.
3. Trigger shot: You receive a gonadotropin injection when your follicles are fully developed. This shot triggers the release of an egg (ovulation).
4. Insemination: Your procedure takes place 24 to 48 hours after your trigger shot. We perform IUI at our clinic. It only takes a few minutes and you don't need sedation. We use a catheter to place washed and concentrated sperm directly into your uterus. You can resume normal activities after your procedure, though you might notice light spotting.
5. Pregnancy test: Wait two weeks after your procedure to take a pregnancy test.

Make an Appointment

Call 717-544-0107 or request an appointment to schedule your fertility consultation.