Intrauterine Insemination (IUI)

Intrauterine insemination (IUI) places washed, concentrated sperm directly into the womb around the time of ovulation. It shortens the journey for the sperm and is the simplest form of assisted conception.

IUI is less invasive and much less demanding than IVF, but it is also less effective. The chance of pregnancy is around 10 to 15 per cent per cycle in well-selected couples and falls with female age, so it is usually limited to three or four attempts before moving on.

What Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) involves

Both partners are assessed first: a semen analysis, a test that the fallopian tubes are open (HSG or HyCoSy), ovarian reserve tests and an ultrasound. The cycle is either natural or lightly stimulated with tablets such as letrozole or clomifene, or with low-dose injections, aiming for one or two mature follicles. Ultrasound scans track follicle growth from about day 8 to 10. When a follicle reaches roughly 18 mm, a trigger injection times ovulation and insemination is scheduled 24 to 36 hours later. On the day, the semen sample is prepared in the laboratory to select moving sperm, and the doctor passes a fine soft catheter through the cervix to release the sample into the womb.

Who is a good candidate for Intrauterine Insemination (IUI)?

IUI needs at least one open tube, ovulation (natural or induced) and a reasonable number of moving sperm.

• Unexplained infertility in women under about 38
• Mild male factor infertility
• Ovulation problems such as PCOS that respond to tablets
• Difficulties with intercourse or ejaculation
• Mild endometriosis

It is usually not the right choice if:

• Blocked or badly damaged fallopian tubes
• Severe male factor infertility with very low counts or movement
• Women over about 40 or with low ovarian reserve, for whom IVF gives a better chance per month of trying
• Severe endometriosis or pelvic adhesions
• Couples who need donor eggs, donor sperm or surrogacy, which Turkish law does not allow

Technique options

• Natural cycle IUI: No drugs; timed by ultrasound and ovulation tests. Used when ovulation is regular and the issue is sperm delivery.
• IUI with oral ovulation induction: Letrozole or clomifene for 5 days; the usual first approach.
• IUI with gonadotrophin injections: Somewhat higher success but a higher risk of twins, so close scan monitoring is essential.
• Luteal support: Progesterone after insemination in stimulated cycles.

What happens during your treatment

The insemination itself takes 5 to 10 minutes and needs no anaesthesia. It feels similar to a cervical smear test, with mild cramping for some women. You rest for 10 to 15 minutes and then carry on with your day. The partner provides the semen sample about 1 to 2 hours beforehand, after 2 to 3 days of abstinence.

Preparing for your trip

One cycle needs you in the city for roughly 10 to 14 days, from about day 2 or 3 of your period until insemination, with two to four scan visits. The male partner must be present on insemination day unless a frozen sample was stored earlier. Because success per cycle is modest and several cycles are often needed, repeated travel can cost more in total than expected. Many couples have monitoring at home and travel only for IVF if IUI has not worked.

• Tell the doctor about medication, allergies, pregnancy or breastfeeding, and any history of cold sores, keloid scars or autoimmune disease
• Avoid alcohol, aspirin and anti-inflammatory painkillers for a few days beforehand if your own doctor agrees, to reduce bruising
• Arrive without make-up on the treatment area and avoid sunbeds and strong sun for two weeks before

Recovery and results

There is no recovery time. You can travel home the next day. A pregnancy test is done 14 days after insemination. Mild bloating or spotting is normal. Severe abdominal pain, marked swelling or shortness of breath after a stimulated cycle should be reported, as it may indicate ovarian hyperstimulation, though this is rare with IUI.

• Back to everyday activity: None
• When results show: Pregnancy test at 14 days
• How long they last: Not applicable

Safety, risks and revision policy

IUI is low risk. The main concern comes from the stimulating drugs, not the procedure.

• Twin or triplet pregnancy when more than one follicle develops; the cycle should be cancelled if there are too many
• Mild cramping or spotting
• Pelvic infection, which is rare
• Ovarian hyperstimulation, which is uncommon with low-dose protocols
• Ectopic pregnancy, as with any conception
• Emotional strain of repeated unsuccessful cycles

Every written proposal arranged through Clinic-Y states what the clinic covers if a correction is needed. Ask for it before you book, not after.

Cost of Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) in Türkiye

Clinic-Y does not publish a single price for Intrauterine Insemination (IUI), because the honest figure depends on your case. What moves it:

• Natural cycle versus tablets or injections
• Number of monitoring scans
• Initial investigations such as tubal testing and semen analysis
• Number of cycles planned
• Travel and accommodation for each attempt

Send your photographs or reports and you receive written, all-inclusive proposals from suitable teams, side by side. Reviewing your case is free.

Frequently Asked Questions