Is IUI worth it?

[acaciabluebell]

So I (25F) have a low AMH and inconclusive ovulation, my husband (29M) has low sperm count and 0% normal morphology on his last SA. We have been TTC 2 years and are currently doing unmonitored medicated cycles with Letrozole.

We are still waiting to be referred for NHS IVF but everything seems to be taking forever, 4-6 month waits between appointments. We likely have another 6-12 month wait before we are able to do IVF. We don't have the money right now for private IVF, so we are waiting for our NHS round before considering it privately.

I have been looking into doing IUI in the meantime, I've found a clinic which does it for £600-£700 each round. I'm just wondering if it's worth it or not?

I know the success rates with IUI are not that high.

Is there really any difference between IUI and doing medicated cycles with Letrozole or Clomid?

Anyone have any experience with this?

I got pregnant with IUI while also taking medication to stimulate ovulation. I think it can improve your chances.

If your husband has zero% normal morphology, it's not going to help with that.

The success rate of an IUI where I attended was about 12-15% increasing slightly if you did 3 in a row - however this was based on a normal semen analysis so I’m not sure if the doctors might recommend that in your case? I did IVF myself for a tubal reason but I personally wouldn’t have wasted my money on an IUI if they had suggested it. (I had to go private as I’m in Ireland and we have no funding) Very best of luck OP, the waiting is such a killer

@MissConductUS I guess I was wondering if the sperm washing process would pick out the best sperm or something. If not then I guess it's basically the same as taking ovulation induction meds and doing timed intercourse, which we are already doing.

The only other differences I can think of would be the trigger injection and progesterone pessaries for the TWW?

@AfterGlow87 thank you - it really is so frustrating, honestly. I'm at the point where I just want to do something, anything, because clearly it's not working for us 'naturally'. I'll give it a few more rounds of Letrozole but I don't know how much longer I can wait

Sorry OP given the specifics of the medical background of you and your partner i wouldn't waste money on IUI at this point - you need to factor in at least 10 rounds of IUI to have the same success rate as 1 cycle of IVF - you'd be better saving this money towards IVF you may need in the future to pay privately

@bonetiredwithtwins Wow I had no idea about how low the success rate for IUI is compared to IVF. That's insane - thank you for sharing that with me!

I was also entirely unaware of these success rates! Trying to decide between IUI and IVF, and this really put things in perspective. Thanks so much!