For many couples, IUI (Intrauterine Insemination) is the starting point - a treatment that is simpler and less invasive than IVF, but performed with the same clinical precision that makes the difference between a guesswork attempt and a properly timed procedure. At Femcare Fertility in Kalyani Nagar, Pune, Dr. Sayali Chavan Shitole has helped numerous couples achieve pregnancy through well-monitored IUI cycles, selecting only those cases where IUI gives a genuine chance of success.
During natural conception, only a small fraction of sperm from ejaculation reach the fallopian tubes where fertilisation occurs. IUI bypasses much of that journey by placing a concentrated sample of washed, motile sperm directly into the uterine cavity - much closer to where the egg will be released.
The process involves:
IUI is not appropriate when the fallopian tubes are blocked on both sides, when sperm parameters fall below the minimum required for IUI, or when the woman has a significantly low ovarian reserve - in those cases, IVF is a more appropriate step.
Not all clinics monitor IUI cycles with the same rigour. At Femcare Fertility, every IUI cycle is tracked with serial transvaginal ultrasound. Dr. Sayali checks follicle size and endometrial thickness every 2-3 days during stimulation. The trigger injection is given precisely when the lead follicle reaches the right size and the insemination is timed to occur 36 hours later - the window that aligns with ovulation.
This precision matters. An unmonitored IUI cycle is a missed opportunity. Careful monitoring transforms a probabilistic procedure into a clinically timed intervention.
Per-cycle success rates for IUI in well-selected candidates are typically 10-20%. This means that many couples need 3-4 cycles before either achieving pregnancy or moving to IVF. Dr. Sayali explains this honestly, helping couples set realistic expectations and plan financially and emotionally for each stage of treatment.
IUI is appropriate when sperm quality is borderline, ovulation is the primary issue and the tubes are open. IVF is the better choice when tubes are blocked, sperm quality is severely impaired, ovarian reserve is very low, or when previous IUI cycles have failed. Dr. Sayali will discuss which option gives you the better risk-to-benefit ratio based on your specific investigation results.
Femcare Fertility's location in Kalyani Nagar makes it straightforward for couples from Viman Nagar, Kharadi, Nagar Road, Koregaon Park, Mundhwa and Hadapsar to attend monitoring scans during the working week without a long commute.