IVF (in-vitro fertilization) and IUI (intrauterine insemination) are two of the most popular procedures used to treat infertility. Both have helped milions of couples to get pregnant. IVF is a more intensive and powerful procedure than IUI. The right treatment for you depends on your preferences and clinical situation.

‍How Chicago IUI Works

‍Intrauterine insemination must be performed when the woman is ovulating, which will be carefully monitored throughout the cycle. In cases where the woman is not ovulating regularly, medications such as Clomid or injectable gonadotropins are used to stimulate ovulation. During intrauterine insemination, the male partner provides a sperm sample. The sperm sample is processed to remove seminal proteins and to concentrate the healthy, motile sperm. The sperm is placed in a thin catheter, which the doctor inserts through the cervix into the uterus. The sperm are deposited into the uterus. If they reach and fertilize an egg, and the fertilized egg implants in the uterine lining, pregnancy occurs.IUI can increase the chances of pregnancy, and it can be used to treat a wide variety of fertility issues, ranging from low sperm count to a scarred cervix.

How Chicago IVF Works

During Chicago IVF, eggs are fertilized in the laboratory by an embryologist, resulting in embryos that mature in the lab for several days before being transferred. First, the woman's ovaries are stimulated to produce more follicles, typically using gonadotropin hormones. Once the follicles and uterine lining are ready, a "trigger" injection is given, and the eggs are collected. On the same day, the male provides a sperm specimen. Then, the eggs are fertilized in the laboratory. The embryologist monitors the embryos' development over the next 5 days, selecting embryos that appear to be healthy and developing normally. Once the embryos are ready, they are loaded into a catheter, which is used to deposit the embryos into the uterus.

‍Benefits and Downsides of IUI and IVF

‍There are benefits and downsides to both IUI and IVF. Some things to consider include:

• IVF is much more expensive, while IUI is more cost effective
• IUI has lower success rates, but is still successful for a large number of patients
• IVF is a very intensive process, requiring multiple appointments and significant doses of medication; it can be hard on couples

A trusted physician can help you decide whether IUI or IVF is right for you. To schedule a consultation with the top doctor for Chicago IVF, please click below and enter your information or give us a call at (630) 357-6540.