There’s a moment in every fertility journey when hope meets medicine meets science—when you decide to take one more step toward the family you’ve dreamed about. For many, intrauterine insemination (IUI) is that step. It’s a gentle, medically guided process that gives sperm and egg a better chance to meet, offering new possibility after months—or years—of waiting and wondering.
At InVia Fertility, we understand that this decision comes with both courage and emotion. You’ve already been through so much to get here, and you deserve to be supported, informed, and genuinely cared for at every stage.
This step-by-step guide to IUI walks you through what to expect, so you can move forward with clarity, calm, and renewed hope.
What Is IUI?
IUI, or intrauterine insemination, is a fertility treatment that helps specially prepared sperm reach the egg more easily. Instead of traveling the full distance through the cervix on their own, specially prepared sperm are placed directly into the uterus close to ovulation—giving them a shorter path and a stronger chance of fertilization.
According to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), IUI can be especially effective for unexplained infertility, mild sperm concerns, or challenges related to cervical mucus.* For many people, IUI is a meaningful next step between unassisted conception and more advanced fertility treatments like in vitro fertilization (IVF).
IUI Step 1: Planning and Testing
Every IUI journey begins with understanding your body and your goals. Your fertility specialist will perform hormone testing, ultrasound imaging, and sometimes a uterine evaluation or semen analysis. These insights help guide your board-certified reproductive endocrinologists in creating a personalized plan that fits your needs.
If your ovulation is irregular, fertility medications may be prescribed to stimulate egg development and stabilize your cycle. Throughout this stage, your care team will guide you with ongoing communication and emotional reassurance—because being seen, heard, and understood is just as important as the medicine and the science itself.
Step 2: Ovulation and Sperm Preparation
When your body signals ovulation is near, the timing for insemination is set. The specially prepared sperm sample—either from a partner or donor—is prepared through a process called “sperm washing.” This isolates the most active sperm and removes seminal fluid, optimizing effectiveness.
Step 3: The IUI Procedure
The IUI itself is brief, simple, and filled with meaning. We'll help you rest comfortably while a thin, flexible catheter is used to place the prepared sperm directly into your uterus. The procedure takes just a few minutes. You might feel mild cramping, similar to menstrual discomfort, or nothing at all.
Afterward, you’ll rest for a short time before returning to your usual day. For many, this is a quietly emotional moment—one filled with hope, gratitude, and the possibility of new beginnings.
Step 4: After the Procedure
Once insemination is complete, you can go about your normal routine. Mild spotting or tenderness may occur, but it usually fades quickly. Your provider may recommend progesterone support to help your uterine lining prepare for implantation.
Then comes the two-week wait—a time that can feel both exciting and nerve-wracking. It’s okay to feel everything at once: hope, worry, anticipation. Know that your care team is here through every emotion, every question, and every stage of waiting.
At your follow-appointment, your reproductive endocrinologist will perform a blood test to identify if a pregnancy as occurred. If pregnancy doesn’t occur during your first IUI cycle, your fertility specialist may recommend another cycle or discuss next steps.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the IUI process take?
An IUI cycle typically takes about two to three weeks, from ovulation monitoring to insemination. The procedure itself lasts only a few minutes.
Is IUI painful?
Most people find IUI to be quick and easy. You may feel slight cramping, but discomfort is minimal and short-lived.
How soon can another IUI cycle begin?
If conception doesn’t occur, our specialists recommend waiting one full menstrual cycle before beginning again. Your care team will guide you based on your body’s response.
Take the Next Step Toward Building Your Family
Every fertility journey begins with a decision—to keep believing, to keep trying, to keep hoping. IUI represents more than a medical procedure; it’s a bridge between possibility and reality.
At InVia Fertility, we see your strength and meet it with ours. We pair advanced reproductive science with genuine empathy because we know this is more than a process—it’s your dream. You’re not just taking another step; you’re opening another door. And when you walk through it, we’ll be right beside you.
*Source: ASRM
