Myth
IUI and IVF are the same procedure.
Fact
IUI places prepared sperm in the uterus. Fertilisation happens inside the body; IVF fertilises eggs in a laboratory.
Source: CDCTreatment
IUI & Ovulation Induction
Simpler, less invasive treatments that are often the right first step. Many people conceive at this stage and never need IVF at all.
Ovulation induction
If you are not ovulating regularly — which is common in PCOS, and is one of the more frequent findings in fertility assessment — restoring ovulation is often all that is required.
Tablets such as letrozole or clomifene are taken early in the cycle. Ultrasound tracking then confirms that a follicle is developing and identifies the right days. Some cycles use injectable medicines instead where tablets have not worked.
Monitoring matters here: it confirms the medicine is working, identifies the fertile window accurately, and avoids the risk of too many follicles developing at once.
Intrauterine insemination (IUI)
IUI places prepared sperm directly into the uterus at the time of ovulation, using a fine catheter. The preparation step concentrates the most motile sperm, and placing them past the cervix shortens the distance they must travel.
It is a quick outpatient procedure, needs no anaesthetic, and most people describe it as similar to a smear test.
IUI can help when
- Sperm parameters are mildly reduced but not severely so
- There is a cervical factor, or difficulty with intercourse or ejaculation timing
- Infertility is unexplained and ovulation is being induced alongside
- Donor sperm is being used
- Mild endometriosis is present
IUI cannot help when
- Both fallopian tubes are blocked — the sperm and egg still have to meet in a tube
- Sperm count or motility is very low
- There is significant tubal damage or advanced endometriosis
This is why the investigation stage comes first. Checking that at least one tube is open before recommending IUI is not an optional extra.
A realistic expectation. Per-cycle success with IUI is considerably lower than with IVF, and it declines with age. It is usually attempted for a limited number of cycles — commonly three to four — before moving on. Knowing that plan at the start prevents an open-ended sequence of attempts.
What a monitored cycle looks like
| Cycle day | What happens |
|---|---|
| Day 2–3 | Baseline scan; medicines started if prescribed |
| Day 5–9 | Tablets or injections taken as directed |
| Day 10–12 | Tracking scan to measure the follicle |
| When ready | Trigger injection to time ovulation precisely |
| 24–36 hours later | IUI performed, or timed intercourse advised |
| About 14 days later | Pregnancy test |
Please note. This page is general information, not medical advice. What is appropriate for you depends on your history, your investigations and a specialist assessment. No fertility treatment can guarantee a pregnancy.
A little clarity
Myth vs Fact
Fertility can come with a lot of advice. Here is what the evidence helps us understand.
Myth
IUI bypasses blocked fallopian tubes.
Fact
IUI does not bypass the tubes. Checking whether the tubes are open helps establish suitability.
Source: NHSGeneral information. Your clinician can explain what applies to you.
Find out whether the simpler route fits
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