Know IUI Success Rate By Age

The procedure involves placing washed sperm directly into the uterus around the time of ovulation, aiming to increase the chances of sperm meeting and fertilising the egg in the fallopian tubes.

IUI may be an option for couples experiencing infertility due to various factors, including:

• Difficulty conceiving naturally
• Mild male infertility (low sperm count or motility)
• Unexplained infertility
• Use of donor sperm

It’s important to note that having normal hormone levels, healthy cervical mucus, good-quality eggs, and functioning fallopian tubes are generally considered favourable factors for successful IUI.

The IUI process is conducted by a fertility specialist. It is fast and painless and takes place during ovulation. The IUI process includes:

Ovarian stimulation:

To increase the chances of successful fertilisation, your doctor might recommend ovarian stimulation as an optional first step. This involves taking medication early in your cycle for 5-10 days. Regular check-ups with ultrasounds or blood tests will be needed during this time to monitor egg development and pinpoint the ideal timing for insemination.

Ovulation monitoring:

Your doctor will use blood tests or ultrasounds to track your ovulation. The insemination is then scheduled for the day closest to ovulation, typically within 2-3 days of the LH surge.

Sperm preparation

For the process of sperm preparation, you and your partner will have to go to the clinic for the extraction of sperm, followed by washing and filling in the catheter that is inserted into the vagina. Likewise, the doctor undertakes assessments of whether the sperm is the right one and directly inserts the catheter through the cervix and into the uterus.

Insemination

The doctor places a catheter lengthwise through your cervix into the uterus. The sample is dropped into the uterus, and then the catheter is taken out. It is a simple procedure that takes only a couple of minutes to finish, and the patient needs no anaesthesia.

IUI success rates decrease with age due to deteriorating egg quality. As a result, if you are over the age of 40, you are rarely advised to undergo IUI.

IUI success rate under the age of 35:

Your IUI success rate will be highest before the age of 35. During this age range, your IUI success rate will be around 20-25%. This rate is also affected by a variety of other reasons, including sperm quality, fallopian tube status etc. It is important to know that a woman of any age may need to try IUI up to two to three times before experiencing success.

IUI success rate after the age of 35:

Your chances of conceiving naturally decrease after the age of 35. This figure falls significantly with each passing year. According to a report, if you are between the ages of 35 and 37, your chances for successful IUI are lower by 9%. Between 38 and 40, the success rate of IUI becomes 7%. Once you turn 40, this figure lowers to between 2-5%. Sometimes, doctors will recommend that if you are 40 or older, you should seek in vitro fertilisation to get pregnant rather than IUI.