IUI and IVF in simple terms
Both are assisted reproduction methods used when pregnancy does not happen naturally. In IUI, which stands for intrauterine insemination, washed sperm is placed directly inside the uterus around the time of ovulation. Fertilisation still happens inside your body. In IVF, or in vitro fertilisation, eggs are collected from the ovaries and mixed with sperm in a laboratory. A resulting embryo is then placed in the uterus.
These treatments usually come after a full infertility evaluation of both partners. Not every couple needs them, and many conceive with simpler steps.
How the two compare
| Point | IUI | IVF |
|---|---|---|
| Where fertilisation happens | Inside the body | In the laboratory |
| Open tubes needed | Yes, at least one | No |
| Common reasons | Mild male factor, unexplained infertility | Blocked tubes, severe male factor, failed IUI |
| Procedure | Short clinic visit, no anaesthesia | Egg collection under sedation, then transfer |
| Effort and cost | Lower | Higher |
Your doctor decides which method suits you based on age, test results, how long you have been trying and past treatment. Some couples are advised to go to IVF directly.
How IUI is done
- You may be given tablets or injections to help one or two eggs mature. Some cycles are done without medicines.
- Scans track the growing follicle. An injection may be given to time the release of the egg.
- On the day, your partner gives a semen sample, which is washed in the lab to select active sperm.
- The doctor passes a thin soft tube through the cervix and places the sperm in the uterus. It takes a few minutes and feels like a Pap test.
- You rest briefly and go home. A pregnancy test is done about two weeks later.
Success per IUI cycle is modest and falls with age. Doctors usually suggest a limited number of attempts before reviewing the plan. Mild cramping or spotting on the day is common and settles quickly. You can go back to normal activity, and there is no need for bed rest.
How an IVF cycle works
Stimulation and monitoring
Daily hormone injections for around 8 to 12 days help several eggs mature together. Blood tests and scans check the response, and the dose is adjusted by the doctor. You or a family member can be taught to give the injections at home. Keep them stored as instructed, since many need refrigeration.
Egg collection and fertilisation
Eggs are collected through the vagina with a fine needle under ultrasound guidance. You are given sedation or short anaesthesia, so you should not feel pain during it. The eggs are then mixed with sperm. When sperm count or movement is very low, a single sperm may be injected into each egg, a step known as ICSI.
Embryo transfer
Embryos grow in the lab for a few days. One embryo, or sometimes two, is placed in the uterus using a thin tube. This is usually painless and needs no anaesthesia. Good spare embryos can be frozen for later use. In some cycles all embryos are frozen and the transfer is done in a later month. Hormone support continues, and a blood pregnancy test follows about two weeks after transfer.
IVF does not work every time. The chance of a baby depends strongly on the woman's age, falling clearly after 35 and more sharply after 40. More than one cycle may be needed, and a clinic cannot guarantee a result.
Risks and side effects
- Bloating, mood changes and soreness at injection sites
- Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, where the ovaries over-respond and fluid collects in the abdomen. Severe forms are uncommon but need hospital care.
- Twins or triplets, which carry higher risks for mother and babies. Transferring fewer embryos lowers this risk.
- Ectopic pregnancy and miscarriage, which can still happen after treatment
- Small risks of bleeding or infection after egg collection
- Emotional and financial strain, especially after a failed cycle
Conditions such as fibroids, thyroid disease or endometriosis may need attention before or along with treatment.
Questions to ask a fertility clinic
In India, fertility clinics and sperm or egg banks must be registered under the Assisted Reproductive Technology (Regulation) Act, 2021. You can ask to see the registration. Donor eggs, donor sperm and surrogacy are governed by separate legal rules in India, so ask the clinic to explain what applies if these are suggested. Other useful questions:
- Why is this method advised for us, and what are the alternatives?
- How many embryos will be transferred?
- What is included in the quoted package, and what is charged extra, such as medicines, freezing or ICSI?
- Who do we call after hours if there is a problem?
- What happens to unused frozen embryos?
- Will the same doctor follow our case through the cycle?
Costs vary by city, hospital and case. Ask for a written estimate and read the consent forms with care. Once you conceive, regular pregnancy care is the same as for any other pregnancy, sometimes with closer follow-up early on.
When to see a gynecologist urgently
During or after a treatment cycle, contact your doctor or go to a hospital the same day if you have:
- Severe or increasing abdominal pain or swelling
- Rapid weight gain over a day or two
- Breathlessness or chest pain
- Passing very little urine
- Persistent vomiting
- Heavy vaginal bleeding or fever
- One-sided pain with dizziness after a positive pregnancy test
Also see a gynecologist or fertility specialist for a first opinion if you have been trying for a year without success, or for six months if you are 35 or older.
This page is general information for readers in India. It is not medical advice. Speak to a qualified gynecologist about your own health.