Difference Between IVF and IUI

• Written by Leena Khowal

  Reviewed by Ritika Malik

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Infertility can feel overwhelming, but modern medicine provides hope through treatment options like IUI (Intrauterine Insemination) and IVF (In Vitro Fertilisation). When couples face difficulties in conceiving naturally, doctors advise them fertility treatments like IUI or IVF. Both treatments aim to help couples conceive and get pregnant; they differ significantly in procedure, cost, time, and success rates. 

In this guide, we’ll break down the difference between IVF and IUI, compare success rates by age, explore exceptional cases like endometriosis, and share practical tips to boost your chances.

What Is IUI (Intrauterine Insemination)?

IUI is one of the simplest and least invasive fertility treatments. This treatment is best for couples with unexplained infertility, mild male factor infertility, or cervical issues. The procedure takes just a few minutes, often compared to a pap smear.

Think of IUI as giving nature a gentle push in the right direction.

What Is IVF (In Vitro Fertilisation)?

IVF is a more advanced fertility treatment that involves several steps.

This treatment is best for blocked fallopian tubes, moderate to severe endometriosis, low ovarian reserve, or when IUI hasn’t worked.

Think of IVF as a more “hands-on” approach, where science carefully guides every step of conception.

Difference Between IVF And IUI 

Understanding the differences between IVF and IUI can help couples make informed decisions on their fertility journey. Below are the key differences between IUI and IVF:

Procedure

• IUI (Intrauterine Insemination): The procedure is quite simple. Your partner’s or donor’s sperm is collected, “washed” (to select the healthiest ones), and placed directly into your uterus during ovulation. The entire process feels somewhat similar to a pap smear and takes only a few minutes to complete.
• IVF (In Vitro Fertilisation): IVF is a more involved process. You’ll first take fertility medications to stimulate multiple eggs. Then, the eggs are retrieved in a short procedure under sedation. The eggs are fertilised with sperm in a lab, and the healthiest embryo(s) are transferred back into your uterus a few days later.

Cost

IUI is one of the most affordable fertility treatments.

• Basic IUI procedure: ₹5,000 – ₹10,000 per cycle.
• With fertility medications (like letrozole, clomiphene, or gonadotropins): ₹10,000 – ₹25,000 per cycle.
• Additional tests/scans: May add another ₹2,000 – ₹5,000.

On average, couples in India spend around ₹8,000 – ₹25,000 per IUI cycle.

IVF is a more advanced procedure, so the cost is significantly higher.

• Basic IVF cycle (excluding medicines): ₹1,00,000 – ₹1,50,000.
• With medications and injections: ₹1,50,000 – ₹2,50,000 per cycle.
• Advanced procedures (ICSI, donor eggs, genetic testing, and freezing): Costs can range from ₹3,00,000 to ₹5,00,000, depending on the clinic and city.

On average, couples in India spend around ₹1,50,000 – ₹2,50,000 per IVF cycle, but costs can increase with add-ons.

Working of IUI And IVF

To better understand these fertility treatments, let’s look at how IUI and IVF actually work:

IUI:

IUI stands for Intrauterine Insemination. It’s one of the simplest fertility treatments.

• Ovulation Tracking: The doctor monitors your cycle to ensure the procedure is scheduled when you’re ovulating. Sometimes, medications such as letrozole or clomiphene are prescribed to stimulate the release of eggs from the ovaries.
• Sperm Preparation: Your partner’s (or donor’s) sperm sample is collected. It’s then “washed” in the lab to separate the healthiest, most active sperm.
• Insemination: Using a thin, flexible tube (catheter), the prepared sperm is directly placed into your uterus. This brings the sperm closer to the egg, increasing the chances of fertilisation.

Think of IUI as giving sperm a shortcut so they don’t have to travel as far to reach the egg.

IVF:

IVF stands for In Vitro Fertilisation—and it’s a bit more advanced.

• Ovarian Stimulation: You take fertility medications (injections) for about 10–12 days to help your ovaries produce multiple eggs instead of just one.
• Egg Retrieval: When the eggs are ready, the doctor retrieves them in a short procedure under anaesthesia. You won’t feel pain during this step.
• Fertilisation in the Lab: The retrieved eggs are combined with sperm in a lab. If necessary, a technique called ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection) is employed, in which a single sperm is injected directly into an egg.
• Embryo Development: The fertilised eggs (now embryos) are grown in the lab for 3–5 days.
• Embryo Transfer: One or more healthy embryos are placed back into your uterus. If one implants, pregnancy begins.

Time

IUI: Quick and straightforward. From the start of your cycle to the procedure, it usually takes about 2–3 weeks. The actual insemination itself only takes a few minutes, and recovery is immediate.

IVF: Each cycle typically lasts 4–6 weeks, from the initiation of ovarian stimulation to embryo transfer. Recovery after egg retrieval may take a day or two, but embryo transfer is quick and painless.

Treatment Intensity

IUI:

• Minimal medical intervention.
• May involve oral medications, such as letrozole or clomiphene.
• No surgery or anaesthesia required.
• Feels more like a natural process with a slight boost.

IVF:

• High level of medical involvement.
• Daily hormone injections for several days.
• Egg retrieval under anaesthesia.
• Fertilisation and embryo culture.
• More physically and emotionally demanding.

IUI vs. IVF Success Rate

When you’re exploring fertility treatments, one of the first questions that pops into your mind is: “Okay, but what are my actual chances of getting pregnant?” Totally valid! Let’s look at how IUI and IVF stack up in terms of success rates.

IUI Success Rate

IUI (Intrauterine Insemination) is usually the first step doctors recommend because it’s less invasive and more affordable. But here’s the catch—it doesn’t always guarantee high success.

• On average, IUI success rates are about 10–20% per cycle.
• If you’re under 35 and don’t have major fertility problems, you’re more likely to be on the higher end of that range.
• But if you’re over 35, the odds drop with every passing year.

Think of IUI as a “gentle nudge” in the right direction—it works for some couples quickly, while others may need a few tries or may eventually move to IVF.

IVF Success Rate

IVF (In Vitro Fertilisation) is a more advanced treatment, and that usually shows up in the numbers.

• For women under 35, IVF success rates can be as high as 40–50% per cycle.
• For women in their late 30s, the success rate dips but remains higher than that of IUI.
• Even for women over 40, IVF tends to have better odds—though they’re closer to 15–20% per cycle.

So if IUI is like giving nature a little help, IVF is more like taking charge and saying, “We’re going to make this happen in the lab.

IUI or IVF for Endometriosis: Which Is Better?

If you’ve been diagnosed with endometriosis and are trying to get pregnant, you’ve probably wondered: “Should I try IUI first, or go straight to IVF?” The answer depends on how severe your endometriosis is and what other fertility factors come into play.

IUI for Endometriosis

For women with mild endometriosis, IUI (Intrauterine Insemination) can sometimes be a good starting point. Doctors may pair it with fertility medications like letrozole or clomiphene to boost your chances.

• When it works best: Mild cases, open fallopian tubes, and good egg quality.
• Success rate: Around 5–10% per cycle for endometriosis patients, which is lower than that of women without fertility issues.
• Why try it: It’s less invasive, less expensive, and might work if the condition isn’t severe.

IVF for Endometriosis

When endometriosis is moderate to severe, or when IUI hasn’t worked after several tries, IVF (In Vitro Fertilisation) is usually the recommended option.

• When it works best: Blocked or damaged fallopian tubes, low ovarian reserve, or advanced endometriosis.
• Success rate: For women under 35 with endometriosis, IVF success rates can reach 30–40% per cycle, much higher than IUI.
• Why it helps: IVF bypasses many of the barriers endometriosis creates, like inflammation and scarring around the fallopian tubes.

Which Is More Painful: IUI or IVF?

When you compare IUI (Intrauterine Insemination) and IVF (In Vitro Fertilisation), the level of discomfort is quite different because the procedures themselves are very different.

Pain During IUI

IUI is usually quick and relatively painless—many women compare it to a pap smear.

• What you might feel: Mild cramping or slight discomfort when the catheter is inserted into the uterus.
• After the procedure, some women experience light spotting or period-like cramps for a day or two, but nothing major.
• Pain level: Mild.

Pain During IVF

IVF, on the other hand, is a more complex process.

• Hormone Injections: Daily fertility shots can cause soreness, bloating, or mood swings.
• Egg Retrieval: This procedure is performed under anaesthesia or sedation so that you won’t experience pain; however, you may experience cramping afterwards.
• Embryo Transfer: Similar to an IUI, usually painless with just minor discomfort.
• Pain level: Moderate – mostly because of injections and egg retrieval, the pain is not unbearable, but more intense than IUI.

>> Read More: What is IVF Treatment - Procedure, Treatment Cost, Side Effects

Final Thoughts

Both IUI and IVF have their unique roles in fertility treatment.

• IUI is affordable, simple, and often the first step for mild infertility.
• IVF is more advanced, with higher success rates, especially for women over 35 or those with complex fertility challenges.

And remember—while fertility treatments are a huge step toward parenthood, they can also bring unexpected medical costs. Whichever path you choose, your doctor will guide you based on age, medical history, and fertility health. Alongside medical care and lifestyle changes, having a comprehensive health insurance policy can protect you financially from consultation expenses and high treatment costs, giving you the freedom to focus on what truly matters, building your family.

Disclaimer: All plan features, benefits, coverage, and claims underwriting are subject to policy terms and conditions. Kindly refer to the brochure, sales prospectus, and policy documents carefully.