Let’s break down what IUI really is. For many women, this will probably be step 1 on the road to becoming a single mom by choice and it’s where I’m going to start too.  

Intrauterine insemination or IUI is the least invasive way to get pregnant without sex. Think medical turkey baster method. It’s a much lower cost alternative to IVF and is used for a variety of purposes from couples experiencing infertility issues, to same sex couples looking to get pregnant, to solo women like me who’d rather not go trolling the bars for some one night strange during a pandemic.  

What is the IUI process? 

IUI takes donor sperm and places it directly into the uterus. This is done with the help of a speculum to widen the vagina and a catheter placed into the uterus. The sperm sample is then injected into a woman and the hope is nature will take it from there. The process is timed to when a woman is most fertile according to her natural cycle and hopes to increase your odds of pregnancy but increasing how many sperm make it into the Fallopian tubes.  

Is medication involved?  

In a “natural cycle” of IUI you won’t need medication to help follicles develop. You basically time your cycle with the help of period tracking apps and cycle monitoring to determine the optimal time for the IUI procedure. For me, when I got close to “go time” I had to go into the clinic 3 mornings in a row to track when I’d be ovulating.  

Sometimes even with a natural cycle you’ll be given human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) medication. This helps synchronize release of the egg with the introduction of the sperm. If your doctor advises this, you’ll give yourself a trigger injection the night before your procedure. It’s a very small needle in your belly and doesn’t hurt much at all. I will say from my experience, I felt a little weird after the shot (I may have cried at my salad) so I’d advise doing it and then promptly going to bed.  

Upgrading to a medicated cycle 

If natural IUI doesn’t work, you can choose to move up to the next level of IUI which includes medication. This version has you taking fertility medications starting between days two to five after your last period. The idea is to help follicles develop through your cycle so they’re ready when the sperm is inserted. Similarly to a natural cycle, you’ll then be monitored to find the optimal time for the procedure and will likely again use a trigger shot the day before.  

Now a caveat here is using any type of fertility drug can increase your chances of twins or multiples so talk with your fertility doctor about the risks before you make your decision.  

What is the procedure like?  

Having IUI done is a mostly painless procedure. It feels very similar to having a Pap smear done and takes about as long. After the sperm as been injected through the catheter, you’ll be asked to stay flat on your back for 5 to 10 minutes before you can leave the exam room. After that, you’ll be scheduled for a blood test two weeks later to see if you’re pregnant.  

What is the cost?  

IUI is by far the cheapest fertility option. It’s about $1,500 to $4,000 depending on whether you need medication or not and whether you’re using purchased sperm. Including my sperm sample, trigger shot, and progesterone supplements, this cost me about $1,500.

What are the odds of it working?  

IUI has a success rate of about 5-15%, as opposed to IVF which is around 33%. Age can play a factor as well as that rate drops to 10% after age 35 and decreases from there. It's generally advised you do IUI for 3, maybe 4, rounds and then move on to IVF as the success rate drops off after 3 tries.  

Personally, I’m starting off with a natural cycle IUI round and I’ll go from there!