One of the most notable distinctions you’ll see when you first compare IVF vs. IUI is that IUI is a simpler, less complicated procedure, while IVF is more extensive. Because of this, IUI treatment Pakistan is often the first choice for couples with mild or unexplained fertility issues, and IVF is usually recommended for couples with more severe fertility issues or who have not had success with other, less aggressive treatments.
What is IUI?
Intrauterine insemination involves washing, concentrating, and inserting sperm directly into the uterus. Through natural intercourse, very few sperm reach the upper reproductive tract because they are blocked by cervical mucus. By placing them directly into the uterus, more sperm have a chance of fertilizing an egg. Not only do they bypass many of the natural barriers of the cervix, but they also have a shorter distance to swim.
What is IVF?
In vitro fertilization is a multi-stage process that begins with hormone injections to promote ovarian follicle growth and the maturation of multiple eggs. While the eggs and sperm are fertilized and cultured in an embryology lab, the father or pregnant woman receives hormone injections to prepare the uterus for the embryo. Finally, the embryo is transferred from the lab to the uterus.
When to try IUI first?
As the least aggressive option when comparing IVF vs. IUI, intrauterine insemination is often recommended before IVF as a first-line treatment for couples with mild cases of:
Male factor infertility, such as decreased sperm concentration or limited sperm motility
Age-related infertility
fallopian tubal factor infertility, particularly if only one tube is affected
Unexplained infertility or infertility caused by PCOS, endometriosis, or other irregular ovulation
In many of these cases—where infertility is linked to egg count or ovulation or where the cause of infertility is unclear—IUI is combined with controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) to increase the number of mature eggs and further increase the chances of fertilization.
When to try IVF first?
For patients who have not had success after 3 to 6 cycles of IUI with COH, IVF is often recommended as the next treatment attempt. IVF may also be recommended as a first-line treatment in some cases, such as:
- When sperm count is too low for IUI to mitigate barriers to fertilization
- When both fallopian tubes are blocked, fertilization is unlikely with IUI and COH alone
- When parents are carriers of genetic diseases, such as cystic fibrosis, and wish to use pre-implantation genetic testing of the embryo to prevent disease transmission
- When time is limited: Some patients — especially those in their late 30s or early 40s who don’t have as many fertile years left and patients who must create and freeze embryos before chemotherapy — choose to skip IUI and go straight to IVF to speed up the process.
- In addition to couples facing moderate to severe fertility issues, IVF is commonly used in conjunction with egg donors and/or gestational carriers to enable single parents and same-sex couples to have a baby.
What is the process of in vitro fertilization?
The IVF treatment Pakistan process begins with a 10- to 14-day course of gonadotropin injections to stimulate the growth of multiple follicles and the maturation of as many eggs as possible. Once the ideal number of eggs has matured
Approximately 36 hours after this firing, the egg retrieval procedure is performed. The mature eggs are transferred to an embryology laboratory, fertilized with sperm collection, and cultured for 5 to 7 days until they reach the blastocyst stage. The most viable of these embryos are selected for transfer to the uterus.
Before transfer, injections of progesterone are given to increase uterine receptivity. On the sixth day of progesterone treatment, the embryo is transferred to the uterus for the remainder of the pregnancy.
Is IVF painful?
Egg retrieval is performed under anesthesia – mainly because movement will interfere with the extraction process – however, most women report minimal discomfort after the procedure. Many patients report symptoms similar to painful menstrual cramps, and most report being able to return to work the next day.
Both the administration of progesterone injections and the speculum examination, which is used to ensure a full bladder during embryo implantation, are generally considered uncomfortable or slightly painful. However, the catheter used for embryo transfer is soft and flexible, and the procedure as a whole is usually well tolerated.
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