![Couple holding and kissing their baby after successful IUI fertility treatment at our Kingwood and The Woodlands fertility clinics](/images/2021/03/24/north-houston-iui-fertility-treatment.jpeg)
IUI At Our North Houston Fertility Clinic
You’ve probably heard of In Vitro Fertilization (IVF), one of the most popular fertility treatments available and one that our North Houston fertility clinics in The Woodlands and Kingwood boast a high success rate for. In addition to IVF, however, IUI is another successful (and often easier) fertility treatment. In this article, we will explain what IUI is, how it compares to IVF, and who might be a good candidate for it.
What Is IUI
Simply put, IUI–which stands for Intrauterine Insemination–is a fertility procedure in which we place washed sperm directly into the uterus.
How IUI and IVF Compare
When it comes to North Houston IVF, eggs are retrieved and sperm fertilizes them outside of the body in our laboratory setting. Once fertilized, we wait until the embryo reaches the day-5 blastocyst stage and then we implant the embryo back into the uterus.
IUI, on the other hand, allows for fertilization to take place inside the body. When performing IUI, our fertility doctors will extract a semen sample and wash it in our laboratory to select only the motile (moving) sperm. Following this process, we will use a catheter to inject the now-washed sperm into the uterus in an exam room. This procedure is very simple and brief and causes little to no discomfort, making it an attractive option for couples attempting to conceive or for single women wanting to become mothers.
Who Is A Good Candidate For IUI At Our Fertility Clinics In The Woodlands And Kingwood
We often recommend IUI before IVF simply because it is a more affordable, easier method used in getting pregnant. It is also highly effective if couples are suffering from semen/sperm abnormalities. Other patients who make good candidates may include the following:
Women:
- Women who suffer from PCOS or mild Endometriosis
- Women with cervical abnormalities
Men:
- Below-average sperm count
- Motility problems
IUI At Our Kingwood And The Woodlands Fertility Clinics
IUI is a highly effective and often more affordable option for patients who have mild infertility problems, while North Houston IVF is a viable option for patients who suffer from severe infertility problems. If you’re wondering whether or not you’re a good candidate for IUI, then please request an appointment with our fertility specialists so we can get to know your particular case and proceed with fertility testing. We look forward to helping you achieve your dreams of parenthood!