What is the difference between IUI and IVF?
Intrauterine insemination (IUI) involves the washing of husband’s (or the use of frozen donor) sperm, which is prepared in the laboratory and placed in a small catheter. The catheter is then inserted through the cervix and deposited into the uterus. The sperm are closer to the fallopian tubes with this procedure, where fertilization occurs. This is an office procedure, takes only several minutes, and minimal discomfort is involved. In vitro fertilization (IVF) is an assisted reproductive technology where the woman takes injectable fertility medications to stimulate the ovaries until multiple follicles are mature. At this time, the woman undergoes a minor surgical procedure, called an egg retrieval, where the follicles are aspirated vaginally under ultrasound guidance, while the woman is under intravenous sedation. The eggs are then fertilized with sperm, and the resulting embryos are watched for development, and transferred back into the uterus at the appropriate time. The main differe
