Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) Treatment in Chicago, IL
The Reproductive Medicine Institute Offers Intrauterine Insemination
Doctors at the Reproductive Medicine Institute (RMI) are happy to perform intrauterine insemination (IUI) for women in Chicago, IL and the surrounding area. Couples who struggle to conceive a child under normal circumstances may need assistance from a medical professional. The fertility specialists at our clinic have dedicated their professional lives to providing treatment options to help couples start or grow their families. At our location in Oak Brook, just outside of Chicago, we also have a state-of-the-art laboratory and surgery center. Do not fret if the natural order has not worked for you and your partner. Take advantage of our expertise and technology to help you become pregnant. Call us today to learn more about IUI and why it might be right for you.
IUI Is a Common, Healthy Fertility Treatment
An intrauterine insemination is a form of artificial insemination used by our doctors at the Reproductive Medicine Institute to treat infertility. It involves placing sperm directly inside a woman’s uterus around the time she is ovulating. This technique helps sperm get closer to the egg, reduces the time and distance sperm must travel, and facilitates fertilization. IUI differs from in-vitro fertilization (IVF) because it still requires a sperm to fertilize the egg on its own accord. Contrarily, IVF stimulates, retrieves, fertilizes, and transfers an egg without any work from sperm. IUI is a much less invasive and less expensive option than IVF, and it can be coordinated with a woman’s typical cycle or with the assistance of fertility medications.
Determining if IUI Treatment Is Right for You
Women visit the Reproductive Medicine Institute to receive IUI treatments for a variety of reasons. Our team of experts would be happy to meet with you to discuss your options and whether the procedure is worth considering for you and your partner. If you are having difficulty conceiving, call us to schedule a consultation. Intrauterine insemination is most commonly used in circumstances such as:
Unexplained infertility
When IUI is performed for this complication, ovulation-inducing medications are often recommended.
Cervical factor infertility
Cervical scar tissue or cervical mucus problems could prevent sperm from reaching a woman’s egg naturally.
Ovulatory factor infertility
If a woman has an absence of ovulation or a reduced number of eggs, IUI may be beneficial.
Semen allergy
In rare cases, a woman can be allergic to proteins in her partner’s semen. IUI is an option in these cases because most proteins are removed from the sperm before it is inserted.
Ejaculation dysfunction
If a woman’s partner cannot efficiently ejaculate, it hinders or prevents the possibility of conception.
Understanding the Intrauterine Insemination Procedure
Before intrauterine insemination, a couple must take several steps to prepare. The team at Reproductive Medicine Institute will outline what needs to be done before the procedure. First, the man must provide a semen sample at our office. Our fertility specialists will wash the sample to separate its highly-active sperm, which will be used in a bid to increase the chances of conception. We will also monitor the woman’s ovulation cycle to determine optimal timing. When the timing is right, we will perform the IUI at our office in Oak Brook, IL. The procedure involves attaching a vial of healthy sperm to the end of a catheter, which we insert through the woman’s cervical opening and into the uterus. We then push the sperm directly into the uterus through the tube, before removing the catheter. The process typically takes less than 10 minutes. After insemination, the woman must lie on her back to help facilitate the process. After a brief period, she is free to go about her normal activities but may experience light spotting for one or two days.
Risk Factors for IUI Patients
Intrauterine insemination is a relatively simple procedure, so there are not many risks involved. Furthermore, the team of experts at the Reproductive Medicine Institute are highly-trained and qualified to perform fertility treatment. Nevertheless, there is a potential for complications. Some patients develop infections following the procedure, but we can help treat any if they arise. Placement of the catheter may also cause minor vaginal bleeding, which does not typically affect the chances of pregnancy. Additionally, women who use ovulation-inducing medications in coordination with IUI procedures are more likely to have multiple pregnancies.
Success Rates for Intrauterine Insemination
Several factors determine how successful IUI procedures are. Some couples choose to visit us to receive treatment every month for three to six months or until they conceive. Success rates may be as high as 20% per cycle. Variables that affect success rates include the woman’s age, the use of fertility drugs, and the reason for infertility. It is important to wait at least two weeks before taking an at-home pregnancy test to minimize the chances of a false result.
Intrauterine Insemination FAQs for Chicago Patients
Patients exploring IUI often search for deeper clarity about timing, preparation, and next steps. This FAQ section focuses on the most common questions people bring up during consultations at the Reproductive Medicine Institute in Chicago, IL
IUI (intrauterine insemination) is a fertility treatment in which washed and concentrated sperm are placed directly into the uterus around the time of ovulation, giving sperm a “head-start” by bypassing the cervix.
At the time of insemination, your fertility specialist ensures that you are about to ovulate (or have triggered ovulation), and then the sample is gently introduced via a thin catheter.
Insemination typically occurs within a narrow window relative to ovulation. It’s often about 24-36 hours after an hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) trigger injection, or shortly after detecting the LH surge by ultrasound or blood work.
In simpler cycles, doctors may time the IUI to coincide right before or just after ovulation to maximize the chance that sperm and egg meet.
The optimal timing is just before ovulation or immediately after the trigger (hCG) when the egg is about to be released. This ensures that viable sperm are waiting in the uterus/fallopian tubes when the egg becomes available.
We will monitor your cycle and recommend the optimal insemination time to maximize your chances of success.
While individual recommendations vary, many providers suggest stopping alcohol a few days before insemination and avoiding it during the two-week wait. This supports overall reproductive health and aligns with many patients’ goals during treatment.
The answer depends entirely on diagnosis, age, medical history, and comfort level. IVF offers advanced benefits in situations like blocked fallopian tubes or severe male-factor infertility, but many Chicago patients begin with IUI because it is less invasive and more affordable. IUI can be a strong starting point for many individuals and couples when the basic infertility work-up supports it. Your physician will walk through realistic expectations and help you decide what feels right.
Some people move to IVF sooner because of:
- Blocked or damaged tubes
- More significant male-factor issues
- Diminished ovarian reserve
- Several unsuccessful IUIs
- The need for genetic testing on embryos
A basic infertility work-up helps ensure IUI is a logical next step. This may include:
- Hormone testing
- Ovarian reserve assessment
- Semen analysis
- Ultrasound monitoring
- Screening for medical or structural concerns
- Confirming at least one open fallopian tube
Current research suggests that outcomes from IUI pregnancies are generally similar to natural conception. All pregnancies carry some degree of inherent risk, and your doctor will review your medical history, age, and any additional risk factors to support your decision-making.
Here’s what often stands out to patients:
- We’re one of the few clinics in Chicago that’s still private and physician-run
- More consistent, one-on-one care instead of feeling shuffled around
- Quick communication and responsive staff
- Financing Programs options to help make treatment more accessible
- A long track record of patients feeling supported throughout treatment
- A low-cost $90 Fertility Assessment that helps people start with real answers
If intrauterine insemination in Chicago, IL, is your next step, connect with Reproductive Medicine Institute for thoughtful, physician-led care and guidance tailored to you. Book your appointment or begin with our $90 Fertility Assessment.
Visit the Reproductive Medicine Institute for IUI Treatment
Welcoming a child into the world is among life’s most rewarding experiences. Do not let infertility problems discourage you and your partner. Let the team of experts at the Reproductive Medicine Institute help you conceive a child using intrauterine insemination. We will walk you through the process and all its benefits before performing the minimally-invasive procedure designed to increase your chances of conception. We are conveniently located in Chicago, IL and beyond. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.
Speak with a member of the RMI team to learn more about how IUI can potentially help you.
