IUI vs IVF: which is right for you?

On this page:

What is IUI?

Why would someone use IUI?

How IUI treatment works

IUI is often recommended for…

What is IVF?

Why would someone use IVF?

How IVF treatment works

IVF is often recommended for…

IUI vs IVF: key differences

IUI cost vs IVF cost

Success rates: IUI vs IVF

Which is right for you?

Pros and cons at a glance

Frequently asked questions

Final thoughts on IUI vs IVF

What is IUI?

IUI stands for intrauterine insemination. It is a type of fertility treatment that involves placing sperm directly into the uterus around the time of ovulation to increase the chances of fertilisation.

IUI is a short, painless procedure usually done in a clinic and takes just a few minutes.

Why would someone use IUI?

In a natural conception, sperm must travel from the vagina, through the cervix, into the uterus and up into the fallopian tubes, where it may meet an egg for fertilisation. This journey can be challenging, and not all sperm make it, especially when the sperm is low in number, slow moving or has trouble swimming in the right direction.

IUI helps by giving sperm a head start. It bypasses the cervix entirely and places a concentrated sample of the best sperm directly into the uterus, closer to the fallopian tubes. This improves the chances of sperm reaching the egg at the right time, especially when sperm count is low, or there are issues with cervical mucus.

Many single women and same-sex female couples choose IUI as a way to conceive using donor sperm. It offers a simple, low-intervention option that aligns with their family-building goals.

Cervical mucus problems can make it harder for sperm to swim through the cervix. The mucus might be too thick, it might have antisperm antibodies , or it might not be present in the right amount or at the right time in your cycle. By bypassing this step, IUI removes one of the barriers to fertilisation.

How IUI treatment works

1. Your IUI journey starts with a consultation where your doctor reviews your medical history and talks through treatment options. You may be asked to do some tests like blood work, a semen analysis, an ultrasound, or a tube check to make sure IUI is suitable for you. IUI is only possible if your fallopian tubes are open.
2. Once your results are in, your doctor will create a personalised plan.
3. IUI can be done in a natural cycle or with medication. Some people do not need any medication at all, while others are prescribed gentle hormones to help grow one or two follicles.
4. Doctors will closely monitor your cycle. When the timing is right (whether you ovulate on your own or with a trigger injection) doctors will schedule the IUI about 36 hours later.
5. The procedure itself is quick and painless. A thin tube is used to place optimised sperm directly into your uterus.
6. Two weeks later, you’ll take a pregnancy test to see if the treatment was successful.

IUI is often recommended for:

• Couples with unexplained infertility
• Mild male factor infertility
• Cervical mucus issues
• Same-sex couples, single women or heterosexual couples using donor sperm

Find out more about IUI treatment at Procriar.

What is IVF?

IVF stands for in vitro fertilisation. It is a more complex fertility treatment where eggs are retrieved from the ovaries, fertilised with sperm in a lab, and then one or more embryos are transferred back into the uterus.

Why would someone use IVF?

IVF is often used when natural conception or simpler treatments like IUI are not likely to work. For fertilisation to happen naturally, the egg must travel from the ovary into the fallopian tube and meet healthy sperm at just the right time.

IVF can offer a more direct and controlled approach when:

• there are issues with egg release
• the fallopian tubes are damaged or blocked
• sperm count is very low or sperm quality is poor
• first-line treatments, like IUI, have failed
• age (+35) or low ovarian reserve are limiting the time to conceive
• there’s a recommendation to genetically test the embryos before they are transferred into the womb
• lesbian couples want to share the motherhood project (ROPA/reciprocal IVF treatments)

With IVF, eggs are collected from the ovaries and fertilised with sperm in the lab, giving them the best possible chance to develop into healthy embryos.

This process helps overcome many of the natural barriers to conception and can be especially helpful for people who need genetic testing, donor eggs or sperm, or who have had multiple failed attempts with other methods.

For example, someone in their late 30s with a low egg count and a history of unsuccessful IUI cycles might turn to IVF to boost their chances of pregnancy, especially if time feels like a limiting factor.

IVF is also commonly used when sperm count is very low, or when the sperm has trouble reaching or fertilising the egg. In these cases, techniques like ICSI (where a single sperm is injected into each egg) can be used as part of the IVF process to give the best chance of success.

How IVF treatment works

Initial consultation and testing

Your IVF process begins with a consultation. Your doctor will review your medical history and may recommend tests such as blood work, semen analysis, and an ultrasound to check your reproductive health. These results will help your doctor tailor a treatment plan to your needs.

Ovarian stimulation

To increase your chances of success, your doctors will prescribe hormone medication to stimulate your ovaries to produce multiple eggs. This typically lasts 8 to 14 days. You’ll be monitored with blood tests and ultrasounds so your doctor can track follicle growth and adjust your medication if needed.

Egg retrieval

Once your follicles are ready, your doctor will schedule a minor procedure to collect your eggs. It’s done under sedation using ultrasound guidance and usually takes about 15 to 20 minutes.

Fertilisation

In the lab, your eggs will be combined with sperm from your partner or donor. Your doctors will decide whether to use traditional IVF or ICSI (a technique that injects a single sperm into each egg) based on your individual needs.

Embryo culture

Fertilised eggs are placed in a high-tech incubator called the Embryoscope®, which allows your care team to monitor their development closely using advanced imaging and AI.

Embryo transfer

If you’re doing a fresh cycle, your doctor will transfer one or two embryos into your uterus. If it’s a freeze-all cycle, the embryos will be frozen and transferred in a later cycle.

Pregnancy test

Twelve days after your embryo transfer, you’ll take a pregnancy test to see if the treatment has been successful.

IVF is often recommended for:

• Women with blocked or damaged fallopian tubes
• Severe male factor infertility
• Older women or those with low ovarian reserve
• People who have not had success with IUI
• Cases requiring genetic testing (like PGT-A)

Find out more about IVF treatment at Procriar.

IUI vs IVF: key differences

IUI cost vs IVF cost

When considering IUI vs IVF, cost can be a major factor.

IUI cost is generally lower. One cycle costs 950€ (2025 price at Procriar) , but you also need to account for the costs of  medication and bloods.

IVF cost is higher, reaching 5100€ (2025 price for IVF at Procriar) per cycle. If you add embryo freezing, medication, or genetic testing, this cost can increase.

Keep in mind that multiple cycles may be needed for either treatment, which can affect the total cost over time.

To see what you might pay at Procriar, take a look at our pricing page.

Success rates: IUI vs IVF

Success rates vary by age, diagnosis, and clinic, but in general:

IUI success rates per cycle are around 10% to 20%.

IVF success rates per cycle can range from 30% to 50%, especially when using good-quality embryos and additional techniques like PGT-A.

Your fertility specialist will be able to give you a clearer idea based on your personal health and test results.

Which is right for you?

Choosing between IUI and IVF depends on your individual circumstances, fertility diagnosis, age, and personal preferences.

IUI may be right if:

• You are younger and have no major fertility issues
• You want to try a less invasive, more affordable option first
• You are using donor sperm and ovulate regularly

IVF may be better if:

• You are over 35 and want a higher success rate
• You have blocked tubes or low ovarian reserve
• You need to test embryos before transfer
• You have tried IUI without success

Speaking to a fertility specialist is the best way to find a treatment plan that suits your individual needs.

Pros and cons at a glance

Pros of IUI:

• Less expensive – IUI is typically much more affordable than IVF, making it a more accessible first step for many people.
• Less invasive – The procedure is quick and painless, with no need for sedation or egg retrieval.
• Can be done with or without medication – Some people use hormone stimulation to boost their chances, while others can undergo a natural IUI cycle without medication, depending on their needs.

Cons of IUI:

• Lower success rates – Compared to IVF, IUI has a lower chance of success per cycle, especially in people over 35 or those with more complex fertility issues.
• May require multiple cycles – Because success rates are lower, several cycles of IUI may be needed, which can take time and add to emotional and financial strain.

Pros of IVF:

• Higher success rates – IVF generally offers the best chance of pregnancy per cycle, especially for people over 35 or those with specific fertility challenges.
• Better for complex fertility issues – IVF can help overcome problems like blocked fallopian tubes, low ovarian reserve, endometriosis, or severe male factor infertility.
• Option to freeze embryos or test for genetic conditions – IVF allows for embryo freezing, giving you the chance to plan future pregnancies. It also enables preimplantation genetic testing (PGT-A), which can reduce the risk of miscarriage and improve the chances of a healthy pregnancy.

Cons of IVF:

• More costly – IVF is one of the more expensive fertility treatments, particularly when you include medication, genetic testing, and embryo storage.
• More invasive and emotionally demanding – The process includes daily hormone injections, egg retrieval under sedation, and multiple clinic visits. It can feel physically and emotionally intense, especially when waiting for results between each step.

Frequently asked questions

Is IUI cheaper than IVF?

Yes. IUI cost is much lower than IVF cost. It is often used as a first step before moving on to IVF.

What is the difference between IUI and IVF?

IUI involves placing sperm directly into the uterus. IVF involves fertilising eggs in a lab and transferring an embryo into the uterus.

How many cycles of IUI before IVF?

This depends on your age and fertility diagnosis. Many clinics and international guidelines suggest trying 3 to 6 IUI cycles before moving to IVF.

Is IVF more successful than IUI?

Yes. IVF treatment generally has higher success rates, especially in older women or more complex cases.

What is the meaning of IVF?

IVF means in vitro fertilisation. It is a process where an egg is fertilised by sperm outside the body.

What is the meaning of IUI?

IUI stands for intrauterine insemination. It is a simpler fertility treatment that helps sperm reach the egg more easily.

Need support deciding between IUI vs IVF? Contact Procriar today to book a consultation. We are here to help you make confident, informed decisions about your fertility journey.

Final thoughts on IUI vs IVF

There is no one-size-fits-all answer when it comes to choosing IUI or IVF. Both are valid, proven fertility treatments with different purposes, benefits, and considerations. What matters most is finding the path that best suits your body, your goals, and your life.

If you are unsure which route to take, speak to a fertility specialist who can help guide your decision with tailored advice.

At Procriar, we offer both IUI and IVF treatments, personalised to your needs. Our team is here to support you with expert care and clear answers every step of the way.