What is IUI?
Intrauterine insemination, or artificial insemination, is a helpful procedure that can assist couples in conceiving. After sperm has been collected and processed in the laboratory, the doctor places it inside the uterus. As part of the treatment, the lab removes the seminal fluid and concentrates the sperm before inserting them. IUI can be done in conjunction with fertility treatments to increase ovulation function or during natural ovulation in the patient. Women can determine when they are ovulating by using over-the-counter ovulation predictor kits. In this process, the sperm enters the uterine cavity higher, bypassing the cervix and the fallopian tubes. It increases the chance that sperm and eggs will meet.
What is IVF?
An in vitro fertilisation (IVF) procedure involves combining the sperm and eggs of a woman outside her body in a laboratory in the hope of conceiving a child. Fertility medication stimulates the ovaries before fertilization, helping to ensure a successful egg retrieval. Insemination is performed on the same day as egg retrieval under sedation. Embryos are monitored carefully after fertilization to determine when to transfer them to the uterus.
IUI vs IVF: THE PROCESS
The main difference between IUI and IVF is that in IUI, fertilisation occurs internally. In other words, the sperm is directly injected into the woman’s uterus. In the event of successful fertilization, the embryo will also implant there. In IVF, fertilisation is performed outside the uterus in a laboratory. In the process of fertilization, the sperm and the egg are combined, and one or more of these fertilised eggs are placed in a woman’s uterus. As a result of implanting the fertilised egg in the uterus lining, the woman would become pregnant and deliver a successful full-term child.
The success rate of IVF is higher than that of IUI. The cost and invasiveness of artificial insemination are significantly lower than IVF. Prior to moving on to IVF, couples should try three rounds of IUI.
Reasons to Pursue IVF
1) Tubal infertility
Women with blocked fallopian tubes are among the most common reasons couples choose IVF as a last resort. Fertilization of eggs by sperm is prevented by a blocked fallopian tube. A healthy full-term pregnancy is much more likely to occur with IVF since fertilized eggs are directly implanted into the uterus of the aspiring mother.
It is common for a woman’s fertility to decline as she grows older, or you might say her chances of becoming pregnant drop. When a woman reaches an advanced age, her eggs begin to decrease in quality and quantity. Women’s fertility declines more rapidly as they reach their mid-30s. It is then advisable to use IVF to extract healthy eggs from a woman’s ovary, fertilise them with her partner’s sperm, and then transfer the embryo into her uterus.
3) Male-factor infertility
The lack of sperm count, poor sperm quality, slow sperm motility, and abnormal morphology are associated with male infertility and can stop a man from becoming a father; therefore, patients affected by these issues are recommended to consult IVF hospitals in Trivandrum or anywhere in Kerala to start a family.
4) Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
PCOS causes irregular periods, excessive stomach cramps, and hormonal imbalances due to small cysts developing inside the ovaries. The immature ovaries cannot assist in ovulation, leading to infertility complications. A woman with PCOS also develops a high level of male hormones in her body, which are converted into estrogen and impair conceiving.
IUI vs IVF: Which is Right for You?
Patients and their doctors often decide whether to use IUI or IVF together. Patients’ diagnoses, ages, budgets, insurance coverage, and personal preferences can influence decisions. IUI treatment in Trivandrum infertility clinics are recommended for couples who are in their early 30s and have unexplained infertility and no obvious barriers to pregnancy. When a woman’s fallopian tubes are blocked, tied, or absent, she should consider IVF, which bypasses them.
Conclusion
Hope this article helps you to understand IUI vs IVF. Which is right for you ? By knowing the difference between IUI and IVF , patients can decide whether they need one or the other. It is also essential for couples to know how pregnancy works, so they will understand why they might not be able to get pregnant in the first place. In addition, a couple must consult with their doctor before starting any fertility treatment program.
