Lister Fertility Clinic
Chelsea Bridge Road SW1W 8RH London
Intrauterine insemination (IUI)
- Understanding an IUI procedure
- The UK's largest private IVF unit
- Before you start your family, visit ours
Jump to
Intrauterine insemination (IUI) at HCA UK
Why choose us?
We've helped thousands of people become parents through fertility treatment. We work with leading fertility experts across a range of medical fields to deliver fully personalised care at every stage of your journey.
This gives you peace of mind that you'll be supported by a team of experts, from consultants, embryologists and sonographers to counsellors and experienced fertility-trained nurse practitioners.
Intrauterine insemination (IUI) is a fertility treatment where sperm is injected directly into your womb around the time of ovulation. The sperm can come from a male partner or a sperm donor. It's prepared in a lab so that only the better-quality sperm that are more likely to fertilise an egg are used.
Once the sperm is injected, your body's own natural processes take over, allowing fertilisation and implantation to happen. IUI involves having a simple, minimally invasive procedure similar to a cervical smear. Your journey is unique, and our fertility specialists will support you at every stage.
There are several reasons why you might have IUI, including:
- You're using donor sperm to get pregnant. This may be if you are single or you have a female partner.
- You or your partner are unable or find it very difficult to have sexual intercourse. This could be due to a physical disability.
- You need to have sperm 'washed' before conceiving for medical reasons. This may be to prevent passing on an infection.
IUI isn't usually recommended for people who have unexplained infertility or mild endometriosis. It's also not recommended when a couple experiences difficulties conceiving due to a male partner having a low sperm count or poor-quality sperm. IVF is a better option in these cases, as it's more successful.
To have the best chance of success, IUI treatment should be done just after you ovulate (release an egg). There are two types of IUI:
- Natural IUI: Insemination takes place after monitoring a natural cycle
- Stimulated IUI: Insemination occurs after stimulation of ovulation with fertility medications
In both types of IUI, you will have ultrasound scans to monitor the development of follicles in your ovaries. If you're having natural IUI, you will also have an ovulation kit to monitor hormone levels in your urine. This will show when you are ovulating.
If you're having stimulated IUI, you'll have a hormone injection to trigger ovulation. The IUI procedure is timed for 24-36 hours after you ovulate. Both procedures are minimally evasive and only take a few minutes.
If you're experiencing difficulties conceiving, IUI may offer you a better chance of pregnancy. You'll often require several cycles of IUI to have a successful pregnancy. Stimulated IUI with fertility medications can further increase the success rate.
While IUI is a proven and effective fertility treatment, it's not recommended for people with complex or unknown fertility issues. In these cases, your consultant may discuss other fertility options with you, such as IVF.
IUI is generally a safe procedure. But any treatment that involves ovulation stimulation with fertility medication may increase the risk of multiple pregnancies, which are associated with a higher risk of complications. Your consultant will discuss everything with you and answer any questions you may have. We'll also monitor you closely to help reduce the risk.
22,000+
babies born with us
17
dedicated fertility consultants
35+
years with a history of success
Next-day appointments
See a specialist in as little as 24 hours
State-of-the-art diagnostics
With results in as little as 48 hours
Multidisciplinary teams
Expert treatment with specialist care for complex care
The intrauterine insemination process
What to expect
From the moment you step through the door, until the time you’re ready to leave, we want you to feel as comfortable as possible with us, every step of the way.
If you have any questions that aren’t covered here, or in the FAQ section below , please don’t hesitate to get in touch. Our team will be happy to help in any way they can.
01
Initial consultation
Your fertility journey will begin with an in-depth conversation so your fertility specialist can review your medical history, discuss your concerns and answer any questions. They'll also discuss other options with you and create a personalised plan that's tailored to your needs.
02
Tests and scans
Your specialist will arrange a series of tests and scans to gain a clearer understanding of your fertility. These may include blood tests, ultrasound scans and other assessments to check ovulation, egg health and overall reproductive function.
03
Follow-up appointment
After your tests and scans, you'll have a follow-up appointment with your fertility specialist to discuss your results. They'll explain the findings clearly to make sure you understand your fertility health and the options available to you.
04
Discuss next steps
Your specialist will outline the next steps for your fertility journey and make recommendations on your treatment plan that are based on your unique circumstances. This may include starting IUI treatment or planning lifestyle changes that may enhance fertility.
Where can I access intrauterine insemination treatment?
Across our extensive network of hospitals and treatment centres, we have dozens of industry-leading fertility experts who can help you, from initial consultation to treatment and next steps.
Lister Fertility Clinic at The Portland Hospital
First Floor 215 Great Portland Street W1W 5PN London
Lister Fertility Clinic at The Beaconsfield Clinic
Little Hall Barn Windsor End, Beaconsfield HP9 2JW Buckinghamshire
Lister Fertility Clinic at The Shard
The Shard Outpatients St Thomas Street SE1 9BS London
Accessing private health care
Self-pay
You don’t need health insurance to be seen quickly. If you’re looking for treatment and don’t want to wait, all of our fertility treatments can be paid for as and when you need them.
And to give you peace of mind from the start, we’ll provide you with a clear and transparent quote outlining exactly what’s included in your self-pay package.
Intrauterine insemination FAQs
You can begin your fertility journey by booking an appointment with an IUI specialist or by calling us today.
We realise that undergoing any fertility testing and treatment is a personal process, and we want you to feel as comfortable as possible. You can search our fertility specialists, select your consultant and arrange your initial appointment with them.
We know that undertaking fertility treatment can be challenging, and part of that is understanding the potential costs involved. We try hard to ensure our fees are as transparent and simple to understand as possible.
Before you start your treatment, you should receive a clear, costed treatment plan so you begin your journey knowing what your treatment should cost. The cost will depend on your treatment plan, but you can view our price list to gain a clearer understanding.
As required for a clinic that is subject to regular Human Fertilisation and Embryo Authority (HFEA) inspection, the laboratory meets the highest standards for quality, safety and patient care. At HCA UK, we're proud to hold a 5/5 HFEA rating across our fertility clinics.
Our patients' fertility stories
How Lister Fertility Clinic helped two fathers-to-be
Paul is sitting in his home in Belfast, with his husband Neil and their beautiful three-month-old son Felix, talking about their journey to fatherhood – a journey that the Lister Fertility Clinic, part of HCA Healthcare UK, accompanied them on.
Clare’s fertility treatment
Clare and her husband Derek thought they might never have children, until joining the egg-sharing programme at the Lister Fertility Clinic.
Alice and Aaron's fertility treatment
After being told they’d never have children, Alice and Aaron turned to the Lister Fertility Clinic. They now have a beautiful two-year-old daughter.
“We went to see Dr Parikh after a failed attempt at IUI at another hospital. She was excellent from the start and took the time to explain why we were experiencing fertility issues and what we could expect from IVF. She was patient and kind – we can't thank her enough! We're now expecting our second child.”
Reviewed by
This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.