If you’ve hit an unexpected hurdle on the road to parenthood, don’t stress: infertility treatments may offer a solution. Since 1995, the number of assisted reproductive technology procedures in the United States has tripled. Two popular options are in vitro fertilization, or IVF, and intrauterine inseminations, or IUI. Find out how the two differ and which one is right for you. 

IVF

In vitro fertilization is considered the most successful fertility treatment available. First, the woman’s ovaries are stimulated—for instance, with the use of hormone medications—to produce multiple eggs. These eggs are removed from the ovary to be fertilized with sperm, either from the woman’s partner or from a sperm donor, in a laboratory. The fertilized egg is then implanted directly into the uterus.

IUI

Unlike IVF, intrauterine insemination does not require eggs to be harvested from the ovaries. Instead, a concentrated dose of sperm is inserted directly into the woman’s uterus. The sperm is first prepared in a lab by selecting the healthiest and most active specimens to improve the odds of fertilization. Insertion of the sperm is timed to coincide with ovulation.

Which Option Is Best for You?

This depends on the cause of infertility. If endometriosis is to blame, for instance, pregnancy odds could be decreased because a woman’s Fallopian tubes are blocked, making IVF preferable. On the other hand, if the fertility issue is because the man’s sperm has low motility, IUI offers a less invasive solution.

You also need to consider factors like whether you want to deal with potential multiple births—IUI increases the chances more than IVF. A thorough consultation from an infertility specialist can help determine the right solution for your needs.

For help with infertility issues in the Honolulu area, trust IVF Hawaii. Their dedicated team of compassionate professionals has helped countless families in the area grow with the help of cutting-edge reproductive technologies. They have the highest success rate in the state. Call (808) 538-6655 to schedule a consultation. You can also view testimonials from some of their satisfied patients online.