Starting A Family Independently
Historically, parenthood was not considered until marriage. However, as gender roles continue to evolve, not every individual is interested in finding a life partner. Yet, choosing not to have a romantic partner doesn’t mean that a woman can’t start a family. Thanks to assisted reproductive therapies (ART) like in vitro fertilization (IVF) and intrauterine insemination (IUI) with donor sperm, having children is no longer impossible. Understanding when to consider IVF versus IUI can help people make an informed choice about fertility solutions.
Understanding IVF
IVF is one of the most recognized ART solutions which is often referenced in pop culture. The process typically involves a woman being prescribed hormonal fertility drugs to increase ovulation. When ready, multiple eggs are retrieved and then mixed with sperm in a laboratory. The sperm is either provided by a partner or a donor is used. Once fertilized, the embryo is then transferred to the uterus. If implantation successfully occurs, a woman will ideally carry the pregnancy to term.
The IUI difference
Even though IUI is another type of ART fertility treatment, the process is somewhat different from IVF. IUI tends to be less invasive since a woman isn’t required to undergo ovulation stimulation, and neither are eggs harvested. Instead, the process is reserved for women who have already been determined to have good egg quality and no known issues with ovulation. IUI is an outpatient procedure where a partner or donor’s sperm is placed directly into the uterus during the ovulation window. Because the sperm don’t have to travel through the vagina and cervix, IUI may be a strong possibility for a woman to conceive without having a partner.
Making the choice
While IUI and IVF are both common fertility treatments, the options cannot be considered interchangeably for a woman struggling with fertility. IUI is usually only an option in women where ovulation can be accurately tracked, and no underlying egg quality or quantity issues exist. If an individual has poor egg quality, IUI is, unfortunately, not the best solution to treat infertility.
When IUI makes sense
However, IUI can be beneficial for candidates with good egg quality that want to avoid the more expensive and invasive procedures associated with IVF. Hormone stimulation, egg retrieval, and even the external fertilization process can all be expensive endeavors. Avoiding those steps can be less taxing on the body, and reduces side effects as well as eliminates the risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). OHSS can sometimes occur as a side effect or reaction to the increased hormone levels a woman experiences from taking fertility medications.
Are IUI and IVF similar?
Although the pathways for reaching fertility are different, some similarities exist between IUI and IVF. Both processes are classified as ART because an external method is required to conceive. Likewise, both procedures follow a roughly four-week timeline from start to finish because a woman’s ovulation must be accurately tracked.
Choosing the right path
Ultimately, whether a woman chooses IUI or IVF is going to depend on underlying ovulation and ovarian health concerns. Poor egg quality or irregular periods may require that a person opt for IVF using both donor sperm and eggs. Meanwhile, a single woman who wants to conceive independently and is fertile can choose IUI as a cheaper and slightly easier pathway to having a baby. The right choice will require consulting a fertility specialist to determine the best solutions to creating a family.
