IUI, ICSI and Natural cycle IVF – A look at complementary approaches for different fertility needs
Table of Content
Summary
Infertility affects many couples, but modern fertility treatments provide hope. Intrauterine Insemination (IUI), Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI), and Natural Cycle In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) are three key approaches tailored to different reproductive challenges. Personalized treatment plans maximize success rates. IUI involves placing sperm directly in the uterus to enhance fertilization. It is minimally invasive, affordable, and ideal for mild infertility cases but has lower success rates than IVF. Natural Cycle IVF retrieves a naturally produced egg for fertilization without hormone stimulation. It suits women with low ovarian reserve or those avoiding hormone treatments but has lower success rates than conventional IVF. ICSI, an advanced IVF technique, injects a single sperm into an egg, ensuring fertilization. It benefits couples with severe male infertility or failed IVF cycles but is more invasive and expensive. Choosing the right treatment depends on individual needs and medical evaluations.
Fertility Treatments – An Overview
Infertility can be a heart-wrenching journey for couples who want to have biological children. Fertility treatments have advanced significantly, providing patients with options tailored to different reproductive challenges. Among these, Intrauterine Insemination (IUI), Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI), and Natural Cycle In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) are three distinct approaches. Each method has unique advantages, drawbacks, and suitability based on individual fertility conditions. Understanding science, process, and best candidates for each can help couples make informed decisions. At Kauvery Hospital, we pride ourselves on taking a data-backed approach, and helping our patients achieve their fertility goals.
Causes of Infertility
Infertility can stem from various factors and can affect both the man and woman in the partnership. Some common causes of infertility that couples face include:
– Ovulation disorders in women, including polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOD), hypothalamic dysfunction and premature ovarian failure.
– Fallopian tube disorders, including blocked fallopian tubes.
– Sperm abnormalities in men, including low sperm motility and low sperm count.
– Age-related factors, which can affect the fertility of both male and female partners.
Every couple’s journey with infertility is different, and there isn’t a single solution for everyone. We need personalized treatment plans crafted by experts, based on data from their medical tests and an investigation into the underlying cause of the infertility. This maximizes the patient’s chances of a good outcome.
Intrauterine Insemination (IUI)
Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) is an assisted reproduction technique in which sperm is placed directly in the uterus, timed to coincide with ovulation. This is also referred to as artificial insemination. This is a less invasive fertility treatment that can increase the chances of fertilization. This technique is often recommended when the male partner has low quality sperm or low sperm motility, and the couple opts to pursue a pregnancy using a sperm donor. In some cases, the male partners semen is analyzed, and the highest quality sperm are selected and used for IUI. Couples who have unexplained infertility are recommended IUI as the first course of action.
IUI can be advantageous because:
IUI is less invasive, and more affordable than IVF and ICSI.
IUI requires minimal medical intervention.
IUI can be performed in a natural menstrual cycle, i.e. without ovarian stimulation to produce multiple eggs in a single cycle (super ovulation).
Having said that, IUI is not effective for couples wherein the female partner has severe infertility or blocked fallopian tubes. The success rate for IUI is not as high as IVF.
Natural Cycle In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF)
In-Vitro Fertilization is an assisted reproduction technique in which egg and sperm cells from the aspiring parents are mixed in a controlled laboratory setting to increase chances of fertilization. Once fertilization has occurred, the embryos formed are carefully monitored and re-introduced into the mother’s uterus to implant, resulting in a pregnancy.
During conventional IVF, the mother is given hormonal medications to induce super-ovulation. This means that rather than producing one egg cell in that menstrual cycle, the mother’s body is encouraged to produce as many as possible. This is done so the fertility specialists can collect as many mature egg cells as possible during the egg retrieval procedure, increasing the chances of fertilization occurring during IVF. Natural Cycle IVF does away with the hormonal medications and aligns with the mother’s natural menstrual cycle. Natural cycle IVF is suitable for women who are still ovulating and would prefer to avoid IVF medications and the potential side effects they may cause. This is a more delicate and precise course of treatment and must be performed by experienced medical professionals to be effective. At Kauvery Hospital, we are committed to providing this approach to our patients, with a high success rate.
Natural cycle IVF is suitable for:
– Women with low ovarian reserve, i.e. few viable eggs left in their ovaries.
– Women who have responded poorly to conventional ovarian stimulation.
– Women who want to avoid the side effects of ovarian stimulation.
– Women with low Anti-Mullerian Hormone (AMH) or high Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) levels.
– Women with a history of hormone-dependent cancers.
Natural cycle IVF reduces the patient’s risk of Ovarian Hyper-Stimulation Syndrome (OHSS), long-term complications for the pregnancy, and hormonal side effects. However, since natural cycle IVF is typically offered to older women with lower egg reserves, overall success rate is lower than conventional IVF.
Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI)
Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) is an advanced form of IVF. The technique involves injecting a live sperm cell directly into the egg cell in a controlled laboratory setting to induce fertilization. This is much more effective than introducing the sperm and egg cells to each other in a petri dish and allowing the sperm to fertilize the egg naturally. Fertility specialists most commonly recommend ICSI when the male partner has very low sperm motility, or when cryopreserved (frozen) sperm and egg cells are being used in IVF. By injecting the sperm cell directly into the egg cell, a margin of uncertainty is avoided. Approximately 6 in 10 IVF procedures are performed using ICSI.
Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) has higher fertilization rates even when low quality sperm is used. This technique works well for couples who have had failure with conventional IVF cycles. ICSI can be combined with genetic screening to ensure the embryo is stronger and more viable, improving its chances of being carried to term.
ICSI also has some drawbacks – It is more expensive and invasive than conventional IVF. There is also a chance of injury to the egg cell when the needle is injected into it. In some cases, even after the sperm is injected into the egg cell, fertilization does not occur.
For comprehensive and personalized fertility treatments, trust the experts at Kauvery Hospital. With branches across Chennai, Hosur, Salem, Tirunelveli, and Trichy, we are committed to helping couples navigate their journey to parenthood. Our dedicated team is equipped with advanced technology and excels in procedures like IUI, IVF, and ICSI. Start your journey towards parenthood with us today.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is IUI?
IUI (Intrauterine Insemination) is a simple treatment where sperm is placed directly in the uterus to boost the chance of fertilization.
Who is IUI best suited for?
IUI is ideal for couples with mild infertility issues or when the male partner has low sperm motility, and it’s often used as a first treatment option.
What is Natural Cycle IVF?
Natural Cycle IVF retrieves a naturally produced egg during a woman’s cycle without using high-dose hormone medications.
Who should consider Natural Cycle IVF?
This method is best for women with low ovarian reserve, those who want to avoid hormone side effects, or have a history of hormone-dependent cancers.
What is ICSI?
ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection) is an advanced technique where a single sperm is injected directly into an egg to improve fertilization, especially when sperm quality is low.
When is ICSI recommended?
ICSI is recommended for couples with severe male infertility issues or when previous IVF cycles have failed due to poor sperm quality.
Kauvery Hospital is globally known for its multidisciplinary services at all its Centers of Excellence, and for its comprehensive, Avant-Grade technology, especially in diagnostics and remedial care in heart diseases, transplantation, vascular and neurosciences medicine. Located in the heart of Trichy (Tennur, Royal Road and Alexandria Road (Cantonment), Chennai (Alwarpet & Vadapalani), Hosur, Salem, Tirunelveli and Bengaluru, the hospital also renders adult and pediatric trauma care.
Chennai Alwarpet – 044 4000 6000 • Chennai Vadapalani – 044 4000 6000 • Trichy – Cantonment – 0431 4077777 • Trichy – Heartcity – 0431 4003500 • Trichy – Tennur – 0431 4022555 • Hosur – 04344 272727 • Salem – 0427 2677777 • Tirunelveli – 0462 4006000 • Bengaluru – 080 6801 6801
