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Artificial Insemination Success Rate

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If you’ve been trying to get pregnant for a year or more without success, you may be ready to consider assisted reproductive technology. Artificial insemination is one of the most common types of fertility treatment. It’s a simple, noninvasive outpatient procedure in which sperm is inserted into the uterus using a catheter. This helps healthy sperm get closer to the egg, which improves the chances of successfully attaining fertilization.

Artificial insemination success rate can vary based on a number of factors. In general, the success rate of this procedure ranges from 7 percent to about 25 percent. Combining this procedure with fertility drugs may increase your chance of success, but success rates drop as you age. The success rate for women over 40 is around 5 percent.

How Artificial Insemination Works

Your menstrual cycle is monitored for about 12 to 14 days so that the procedure can be done when you ovulate. Monitoring is done using ultrasound and bloodwork. Fertility medicine may be given to stimulate ovulation. Sperm is donated by your partner or by a sperm donor. The sperm is washed and processed to enhance sperm quality.

The procedure is schedule once your doctor determines when ovulation will occur. It’s a painless procedure that takes a matter of minutes. Once the sperm has been injected, you may be instructed to lie on your back for approximately 30 minutes. You’ll go home after that and return for a pregnancy test in two weeks. If you aren’t pregnant, the procedure can be repeated.

Candidates for Artificial Insemination

You may be a candidate for artificial insemination if your fertility problem is related to mild endometriosis or thick cervical mucous. You may also be a candidate if your partner’s sperm has low motility or low count. Couples who have unexplained infertility are often good candidates for this procedure. 

Donor sperm may be used if your partner has a known genetic condition that you wish to avoid passing on. Artificial insemination may be a good option if a single woman wants to conceive or a same sex female couple wish to have a baby.

If you have severe endometriosis, blockage of your fallopian tubes or severe pelvic scarring from multiple pelvic infections, artificial insemination may not be a good option. Your fertility specialist may recommend in vitro fertilization in these cases, and it may also be recommended for women over the age of 40.

In Vitro Fertilization

If artificial insemination isn’t right for you, or if you’ve had several unsuccessful cycles of artificial insemination, you may want to consider in vitro fertilization. In this procedure, your eggs are harvested and combined with sperm in a lab setting and implanted in your uterus after a few days. This sometimes results in multiple births. Embryos that aren’t used can be frozen for future use.

At the Center for Reproductive Health, a compassionate and knowledgeable team is available to explain different options in assisted reproductive technology and to answer any questions you may have. Call today to schedule a consultation

Eliran Mor, MD

Reproductive Endocrinologist located in Encino, Santa Monica, Valencia & West Hollywood, CA
Reproductive Endocrinologist located in Encino, Valencia & West Hollywood, CA Doctor Mor received his medical degree from Tel Aviv University-Sackler School of Medicine in Israel. He completed a four-year residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at New York Methodist Hospital in Brooklyn, New York. Subsequently, Dr. Mor completed a three-year fellowship in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility […]

FAQ

What does a reproductive endocrinologist and infertility specialist do?

Reproductive endocrinology and Infertility is a sub-specialty of Obstetrics and Gynecology. In addition to managing medical and surgical treatment of disorders of the female reproductive tract, reproductive endocrinologist and infertility (REI) specialists undergo additional years of training to provide fertility treatments using assisted reproductive technology (ART) such as in vitro fertilization.

Reproductive endocrinologists receive board certification by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology in both Obstetrics and Gynecology and Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility.

When should I see an REI specialist?

In general, patients should consider consulting with an REI specialist after one year of trying unsuccessfully to achieve pregnancy. The chance of conceiving every month is around 20%, therefore after a full year of trying approximately 15% of couples will still not have achieved a pregnancy.

However, if a woman is over the age of 35 it would be reasonable to see a fertility specialist earlier, typically after 6 months of trying.

Other candidates to seek earlier treatment are women who have irregular menses, endometriosis, fibroids, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), women who have had 2 or more miscarriages, or problems with the fallopian tubes (prior ectopic pregnancy).

What are the reasons we are having trouble conceiving?

Approximately 1/3 of the time cause for infertility is a female factor, 1/3 of the time a male factor, and the remaining 1/3 a couples’ factor.

At CCRH, we emphasize the importance of establishing a correct diagnosis. Both partners undergo a comprehensive evaluation including a medical history and physical exam.

Furthremore, the woman’s ovarian reserve is assessed with a pelvic ultrasound and a hormonal profile. A hysterosalpingogram (HSG) will confirm fallopian tube patency and the uterine cavity is free of intracavitary lesions. A semen analysis is also obtained to evaluate for concentration, motility, and morphology of the sperm.

Additional work up is then individualized to direct the best possible treatment option for each couple.

What is IVF? What is the process like?

In vitro fertilization (IVF) is the process that involves fertilization of an egg outside of a woman’s body.

The process starts with fertility drugs prescribed to help stimulate egg development. In your natural cycle, your body is only able to grow one dominant egg, but with stimulation medication we can recruit multiple eggs to continue to grow. After about 8-10 days of stimulation, the eggs are surgically retrieved and then fertilized with sperm in a specialized laboratory. Fertilized eggs are then cultured under a strictly controlled environment within specialized incubators in the IVF laboratory for 3-5 days while they develop as embryos. Finally, embryos (or an embryo) are transferred into the uterine cavity for implantation.

Should I have IVF?

Before deciding if IVF is the right choice, it’s important to sit down with an REI specialist to discuss available treatment options. For some people, other methods such as fertility drugs, intrauterine insemination (IUI) may be the best first choice treatment. At CCRH, we believe each individual couple is unique and not everyone needs IVF.

Is the IVF procedure painful?

While not painful, the fertility medications may some side effects including headaches, hot flashes, mood swings, and bloating. The injection sites may also bruise.

Will IVF guarantee a baby?

Unfortunately, no. Many people think once they start IVF it’s a matter of time that they will be pregnant and have a baby. But according to national statistics per the Society of Assisted Reproduction (SART), on average 40% of assisted reproduction cycles achieve live births in women under age 35. The chances of success then continue to decrease with advancing age.

At CCRH, we employ only evidence-based interventions to ensure patient safety and optimal outcome. While we cannot guarantee a baby, we guarantee that you will receive the best, most advanced, personalized care to help you maximize your chance of a baby.

What is the success rate for IVF?

The average IVF success rate (success measured in live birth rate) using one’s own eggs begins to drop around age 35 and then rapidly after age 40. This is due to the decline in egg quantity and egg quality as a woman ages.

Our clinic’s success rate consistently beats the national average year after year.

Do insurance plans cover infertility treatment? How much does IVF cost?

Individual insurance plans often do not have any coverage for infertility treatments. If you have a group plan, you can call members services to see if they have coverage for infertility (including consultation/workup and IVF).

After your consultation with our REI specialist, one of our dedicated account managers with sit with you to go over the cost of treatment.