Preparing For IUI: What You Need To Know
What Is an IUI?
IUI stands for intrauterine insemination. A lot of people refer to it as artificial insemination, and here’s what it means: We take a sperm sample, process it in the lab (because the natural ejaculate can’t just go straight into the uterus—it would cause inflammation), and then use a tiny catheter to place the sperm directly into the uterine cavity.
This is typically done on the day of ovulation, or when the egg is on its way. It’s kind of like taking your players and moving them further down the field. But if those players are injured (i.e., poor sperm quality or shape) or if there just aren’t enough of them, moving them forward may not be enough to score a goal. So yes, IUI can help, but it’s important to know when it’s right for you.
Who Is a Good Candidate for IUI?
IUI can be helpful in a few different situations:
Donor sperm use: For same-sex couples, single parents by choice, or those with partners who produce no sperm (for example, after a vasectomy).
Mild male factor infertility: Maybe the count is fine, but motility (movement) is a little low.
Unexplained infertility: Everything looks normal, but conception hasn’t happened.
If you're just replacing sperm (because it’s not there), you’ll likely have your age-related chance of success—around 20% per month if you're in your early 30s. If you're dealing with infertility, the baseline is lower, and we're trying to boost it closer to natural levels.
With superovulation + IUI, we aim for about an 8–10% chance per cycle, which is double the 4–5% in unexplained infertility without treatment.
What Medications Are Used?
This depends on your scenario:
Natural cycle IUI: You’re ovulating normally, and this is a sperm replacement. No meds may be needed.
Stimulated cycle (superovulation): For infertility or mild male factor, we might use medications like Clomid or Letrozole to grow more than one egg.
Trigger shot: Mimics the LH surge to ensure the egg is released. This allows us to time the IUI precisely.
If your periods are irregular or ovulation is hard to track, a medicated and monitored cycle might be better for you than a natural cycle.
Questions to Ask Your Doctor
These are some key questions to prepare for your IUI:
Will this be a natural or medicated cycle?
Are we using a trigger shot?
Will I get ultrasound monitoring?
Will I be using progesterone for luteal phase support?
How long should we abstain before the sperm sample? (Usually 2–3 days.)
How many IUIs should we plan before considering IVF?
What is my personal per-cycle success rate?
Is IUI even the best choice for me?
I recommend setting clear boundaries from the start: for example, planning for no more than three IUIs in unexplained infertility (or up to six for ovulatory/male factors depending on your age). Beyond that, the money and energy may be better spent on IVF.
What Happens on IUI Day?
The procedure itself is quick and simple, and I compare it to a Pap smear. A speculum goes in, we use a small catheter to inject the sperm sample into the uterus, and you lie down for about five minutes. (There’s no evidence this changes outcomes—but we all do it anyway.)
Some people feel a mild cramp, and some feel nothing. After that, go live your life. You don’t need to rest or stay in bed.
How to Support Your Body Through the Cycle
During your IUI cycle, act as if this is the month you’ll get pregnant:
Eat nourishing foods - lots of fruits and veggies.
Reduce inflammation - avoid alcohol, processed sugar, or inflammatory foods.
Sleep well.
Move your body, but keep it low-intensity for now. Think walks, yoga, stretching and not hardcore HIIT.
Set your mindset to “pregnant until proven otherwise.” Because this could be your cycle.
Final Thoughts
My biggest piece of advice? Make sure this plan makes sense for you. Don’t just do IUI because it’s “protocol.” Ask your doctor: Is this the best plan for my age, my fertility story, and my family goals?
Because it might actually make more sense to go straight to IVF - or not. But that’s a conversation worth having.
