IUI (Intrauterine Insemination)

By RRM Academy Reviewed by Dr. Naomi Whittaker, MD, Board-Certified OBGYN, MIGS, NFPMC, FCI Updated May 14, 2026

Intrauterine insemination (IUI) is a procedure in which washed and concentrated sperm are deposited directly into the uterine cavity via a thin catheter, timed to coincide with ovulation. Fertilization, if it occurs, takes place in the fallopian tube. IUI bypasses the cervical environment but does not involve handling eggs outside the body. It is less technically demanding than IVF and does not require egg retrieval or laboratory fertilization. Indications include donor sperm use, mild male factor infertility, cervical factor infertility, and some cases of undiagnosed subfertility. Per-cycle pregnancy rates vary substantially by age, sperm parameters, and underlying cause.

IUI addresses the delivery of sperm. It does not evaluate or treat the condition that made that re-routing necessary. A couple with sperm DNA fragmentation, a cycle disorder, or undiagnosed pelvic pathology will have those problems after IUI just as before. From a restorative standpoint, bypassing the cervical filter is a procedural workaround, not a diagnosis or a resolution. The underlying question, why is this couple not conceiving, remains unanswered.

RRM-aligned methods do not employ IUI. Instead, clinicians identify the most fertile days in a woman's cycle through continuous charting, optimize hormonal and structural conditions in both partners, and time fertility-focused intercourse to the peak day and surrounding days. Baseline evaluation includes both partners: a semen analysis for the male partner alongside cycle and hormonal assessment for the female partner. If male factor is confirmed, the cause, not just the delivery route, is what gets evaluated.

This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult an RRM clinician or healthcare provider for guidance specific to your situation.