Intrauterine insemination (IUI) is a fertility treatment method. In order to conceive a woman, viable sperm are inserted directly into the uterus and fertilized. This approach is used in cases where a man’s fertility is poor. The success rate of IUI decreases as women’s age increases. During the IUI process, every woman has considered the question, “Does IUI work on the first try?”
The answer is: “Yes, IUI works on the first try in healthy women.” However, the actual success of the first IUI attempt is influenced by multiple factors. These include the health of the woman and her partner, the expertise of the doctor and hospital facilities, age, and number of cycles.
Dr. Vareesh, founder and chief surgeon at Vardaan Medical Center, suggests – “Women, who have already attempted more than 5-6 cycles yet are unable to conceive, it’s better to switch to other options like IVF.”
The average cost of IUI starts at 5000 INR per cycle in India. But depending on the hospital location, its reputation, and the skill of the doctor, it can influence the overall expense of IUI treatment.
IUI Success Rate by Age:
The average success rate of IUI is nearly 38% in women in the age range of 18 to 24, and a successful pregnancy requires 2-3 cycles on average. Here is a table that presents the success rate by age and per cycle –
Age Range (years) |
Success Rate by Age (%) |
| Less than age 24 | 37.5 |
| 25-29 | 28 |
| 30-34 | 26.2 |
| 35-39 | 22.1 |
| 40-41 | 21.2 |
| 42-43 | 14.8 |
| More than 43 | 8.3 |
As the table shows, the golden window for IUI treatment is age less than 35 years, and as age increases, the success rate decreases drastically. This happens because, as the woman gets older, the quality of the egg in the uterus becomes poorer and unfit for fertilization.
IUI Success Rate by Number of Cycles:
The average success rate of IUI per cycle is 28% in women between 19 and 34 years old, while as age crosses 40 years, the chances of pregnancy with IUI drop to only an average of 5 percent per cycle.
Here is a table that presents the success rate per cycle –
Age Range (years) |
Success Rate by Cycle (%) |
| Less than age 24 | 19.7 |
| 25-29 | 12.9 |
| 30-34 | 10.9 |
| 35-39 | 8.8 |
| 40-41 | 9 |
| 42-43 | 6.3 |
| More than 43 | 3.5 |
As shown in the table, the younger the woman, the fewer cycles are required to achieve pregnancy through IUI. It is because the chances of conceiving are high per cycle for those less than 35 years old.
How can I improve my chances of a successful IUI on the first try?
Improving your chances of a successful intrauterine insemination (IUI) on the first try involves several factors. Here are some tips:
Choose the right timing:
Ovulation is the key to a successful IUI, as it’s the time when the egg is released from the ovary and is ready to be fertilized. Your most fertile window is typically the 5-7 days leading up to ovulation and the day of ovulation itself. Additionally, your age also matters, and an age less than 40 is suitable for IUI treatment. Your healthcare provider may use ovulation predictor kits, ultrasound monitoring, or blood tests to pinpoint the best time for the procedure.
Maintain quality sperm health:
Healthy sperm are crucial for successful fertilization. To improve sperm health, men should avoid activities that can overheat the testicles (like hot baths or wearing tight underwear), limit alcohol intake, quit smoking, and maintain a healthy weight. Additionally, it’s important to ejaculate regularly (but not excessively) to ensure that the sperm are fresh and healthy.
Consider fertility medications:
Fertility medications, such as clomiphene citrate or gonadotropins, may be prescribed to stimulate ovulation or improve egg quality. These medications can help increase the number of eggs produced and improve the chances of successful fertilization. Your healthcare provider will determine if these medications are appropriate for you based on your specific situation.
Maintain a healthy lifestyle:
A healthy lifestyle can improve overall fertility health. This includes eating a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins, exercising regularly, and managing stress. Maintaining a healthy weight is also important, as being underweight or overweight can affect fertility.
Follow your doctor’s recommendations:
Your healthcare provider will create a personalized treatment plan based on your medical history and specific fertility issues. It’s important to follow their advice and attend all scheduled appointments. They will monitor your progress and make any necessary adjustments to your treatment plan to maximize your chances of success.
Conclusion:
In short, IUI can be successful on the first attempt. However, there are multiple factors that affect the success of such a procedure. These are age, number of cycles, candidate health, sperm and egg health, experience of the IVF specialist, and location of the hospital. While the average success rate of IUI is nearly 30% for those younger than 25 and 20% per cycle. To improve the probability of successful IUI and pregnancy, candidates can follow their doctor’s instructions, take prescribed medication, maintain a healthy lifestyle, and choose the right timing to conceive.
Are you also looking for IUI treatment for pregnancy? Vardaan IVF Center is a top IUI center in Jalandhar, with other branches in Amritsar and Srinagar. The average success rate at Vardaan Hospital is over 80% in 3 to 6 cycles, more than the industry standards. Under the team of skilled IVF doctors and the guidance of Dr. Vareesh, the chance of pregnancy via IUI further increases if the right action is taken on time.
To consult with Dr. Vareesh and his team, directly call to book an appointment: +91 9814021991.
