Different Types of IUI Treatments: Which One Is Right for You?

Looking into fertility treatment can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re trying to make the best decision for your body and your future. While IUI is often a straightforward starting point, there are several variations of the procedure, each offering different benefits depending on your needs.

By learning how these options differ, you’ll be better equipped to understand what might work best for you – and make a more informed and confident decision about the path ahead.

What is IUI?

Intrauterine insemination (IUI) is a fertility treatment for couples and individuals to get pregnant by putting specially prepared sperm directly into your uterus. Instead of sperm needing to travel naturally through the cervix, IUI bypasses this step and delivers active, moving sperm closer to where fertilisation happens.

The procedure itself is quick, non-invasive, and usually completed in just a few minutes. Many people are surprised by how straightforward it feels. If you're worried about how the procedure works, your doctor can guide you through every step and help you understand whether IUI is a good option for your fertility journey. 

Who can use IUI?

IUI can be a helpful and hopeful option for many individuals and couples who are trying to conceive. Doctors often recommend it for a range of fertility challenges, including:

• Mild male factor infertility:

  • When sperm count or movement is slightly low, IUI helps the healthiest sperm get closer to the egg. 

• Cervical mucus problems:

  • If thick mucus makes it hard for sperm to pass through, IUI delivers sperm directly into the uterus.

• Ovulation problems:

  • For irregular ovulation, IUI can be paired with medication to help release eggs at the right time.

• Unexplained infertility:

  • If your doctor can't figure out what's causing infertility, IUI is often the first option because it's simple and low-risk.

Why are there different types of IUI?

Every person's fertility journey is deeply personal, and what works great for another couple might not be the best option for you. Here are some factors that make a one-size-fits-all approach to fertility treatment impossible:

• Hormone levels

• Ovulation patterns

• Sperm quality

• Overall reproductive health

To meet these different needs, fertility specialists have developed several types of IUI treatment. Some use medication to stimulate the ovaries, some use hormones to control when ovulation happens, and some use donor sperm when needed.

Choosing the right type of IUI helps improve your chances of success and makes sure that your treatment is truly tailored to your needs.

To find out which IUI treatment is best for you, schedule an appointment with Thomson Medical today and speak with a fertility specialist who can guide you through your options.

Types of IUI treatment

Understanding the different types of IUI can feel overwhelming at first, but you don’t have to figure it out alone. Each approach is designed to support different needs, and your doctor will help you understand which one fits your situation best. 

Natural IUI

Natural IUI, or natural cycle IUI, is the simplest type of IUI. As the name suggests, this method works with your body's natural cycle and doesn't use any fertility medications.

Your doctor will monitor your cycle with ultrasound scans or at-home ovulation tests to figure out when you're going to ovulate naturally. The IUI procedure is then timed to happen at the same time as ovulation, giving the sperm the best chance of meeting a newly released egg.

Who is it best for?

This option is often reassuring for people who:

• Have regular, predictable menstrual cycles

• Prefer a simple, low-intervention approach

• Are just beginning their fertility treatment journey

• Don’t have any concerns around ovulation

Benefits

• Fewer medications:

  • This can feel less overwhelming, especially if you’re hoping to keep things as natural and simple as possible.

• Fewer side effects:

  • With fewer drugs involved, many people feel more comfortable and experience less physical stress.

• A gentler approach:

  • It’s a way to ease into fertility treatment without jumping straight into more intensive options.

• Usually more affordable:

  • For many couples, it’s a cost-friendly first step before exploring more complex treatments.

Things to consider

Although natural IUI has a lower success rate per cycle compared to medicated IUI (usually about 5–10%), it’s often preferred by those who want a gentler, medication-free start. If you value a more natural approach, this option may feel like the right first step.

Stimulated IUI

Also called “medicated IUI”, this approach uses fertility medication to help your ovaries produce one or more mature eggs.

At the start of your cycle, you'll take oral fertility medications for a few days to support egg development. Your doctor then will track your progress with blood tests and ultrasounds. Once your eggs have developed, your doctor will gently guide you through the next step and schedule the IUI at the right moment. 

Who is it best for?

• Women who don't ovulate regularly or at all

• People with mild fertility problems

• Couples who have tried natural cycle IUI without success

• Women who need help with egg development

Benefits:

• Higher success rate:

  • Compared to natural cycle IUI, stimulated IUI has a much higher success rate, usually between 10% and 20% per cycle. It increases your chances of getting pregnant by encouraging your body to produce multiple eggs per cycle.

Things to consider:

• Higher chance of having twins or multiples:

  • Likely to occur given that you're producing more than one egg

• Slight risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS):

  • Happens when your body responds to fertility medications, causing ovaries to become swollen and painful

  • Usually mild and can be managed with proper monitoring

IUI with hCG trigger shot

This method adds extra precision to your IUI by helping your body release a mature egg at the right time. Used with natural or stimulated cycles, the hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) injection mimics the body’s natural ovulation surge.

After monitoring shows that your egg or eggs are ready, you'll receive an injection of hCG, which triggers ovulation within about 36 to 40 hours. Then, your IUI procedure will be scheduled to happen at the right moment.

Who is it best for?

• Women whose ovulation patterns are hard to predict

• Those who want maximum control over timing

• Couples who want to improve their chances with IUI

• Women who don’t get a clear result on ovulation tests

Benefits:

• More control over pregnancy timing: 

  • The hCG injection makes it easier to predict when your ovulation happens, allowing you to better control when exactly you get pregnant.

• Improved success rates:

  • This method usually increases the success rate to between 15% and 20% per cycle.

Things to consider:

This method requires additional clinic visits and ultrasounds for monitoring. You'll also need to be comfortable with giving yourself an injection (or having your partner help), but most people find this easier once they get used to it.

IUI with donor sperm

If you’re a single woman or in a couple facing severe male factor infertility, IUI with donor sperm can help you become a parent.

The sperm comes from a carefully screened donor and is prepared in the lab before being placed directly into your uterus using the standard IUI procedure. Depending on your situation, this can be done as a natural cycle or a stimulated cycle.

Who is it best for?

• Couples where the male partner has severe infertility problems

• Situations where there are genetic concerns with using the male partner's sperm

Benefits:

• Best for couples with male fertility issues:

  • Donor sperm is carefully screened and tested to ensure it's safe and high quality. 

• Improved success rates compared to natural IUI:

  • Success rates are similar to IUI with a partner's sperm, around 15% to 20% per cycle.

Things to consider:

• Emotional and ethical factors:

  • You may have questions about genetic connection or how to talk to your child in the future. It’s normal to feel this way, and counselling can help you explore these feelings.

• Extra cost for donor sperm:

  • In Singapore, sperm donation must be altruistic, meaning donors are not paid. You may still need to cover reasonable expenses, but there’s no commercial fee for the donor himself.

Choosing the right IUI type

If all these different IUI options are starting to feel overwhelming, don’t worry. You won't have to make the choice of which type of IUI treatment on your own. Your fertility specialist will help you decide based on a few key factors:

• Your age and ovarian reserves:

  • Younger women with good egg reserves might start with natural cycle IUI, while those with lower reserves might benefit from stimulation.

• How regular your cycles are:

  • If you ovulate regularly, a natural cycle IUI might be enough. 

  • Medication often works better for people with irregular cycles.

• Sperm count and quality:

  • If there are male factor problems, medicated IUI might be needed to produce more eggs, which would improve the chances for pregnancy overall.

• Your infertility diagnosis:

  • Some fertility conditions respond better to certain types of IUI. For example, women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) may benefit more from medicated cycles, while those with unexplained infertility might start with a natural cycle.

• Personal preferences:

  • Some people would rather avoid medication, while others are comfortable with more intervention if it means a higher success rate.

Every journey is unique, and the right IUI approach depends on your individual circumstances. Schedule a consultation at Thomson Medical today to explore your options and get guidance on a plan that’s tailored specifically for you.

FAQ

Which type of IUI is most effective?

In general, stimulated IUI with an hCG trigger shot has the highest success rates, especially for people who have trouble ovulating or whose eggs aren't developing properly. But "most effective" is different for everyone. The best approach is the one that works best for your specific situation.

What's the difference between natural IUI and medicated IUI?

What's the difference between IUI and SO-IUI?

Superovulation IUI (SO-IUI) uses stronger fertility medication to help your ovaries release several eggs, usually three or more. This can boost your chances of getting pregnant, but it also increases the risk of twins or more. Because of this, your doctor will monitor you closely throughout the process.

Are there more risks with medicated IUI?

How do I know if I need stimulation drugs?

Can I switch to a different type of IUI if one doesn't work?

The information provided is intended for general guidance only and should not be considered medical advice. For personalised recommendations and tailored advice based on your unique situations, please consult a specialist at Thomson Medical. Request an appointment with Thomson Medical today.