Updated by the Progyny Editorial Team. Reviewed by the Progyny Clinical Team — October 2025.
Intrauterine insemination (IUI) is a fertility treatment in which sperm is placed in the uterus to increase the chance of pregnancy. You may have heard it called artificial insemination.
IUI is timed with your menstrual cycle. The sperm is placed at the time when the ovary releases an egg. Sometimes, medicine is used to help the body produce eggs.
Who might do IUI?
IUI is sometimes the first treatment for:
- People with unexplained infertility
- Male infertility
- People using donor sperm (same-sex couples or single parents)
- Specific causes of infertility such endometriosis, problems with the cervix, problems with ovulation
Your healthcare team will do tests to make sure IUI is an appropriate option. This may involve blood tests, ultrasounds, and a semen analysis.
How does IUI work?
There are 2 cycle options with IUI. Your team will walk you through the details, what to expect, and what’s best for you.
- In a natural cycle, the procedure is timed based on your body’s ovulation (release of an egg).
- In a medicated cycle, you’ll take fertility medicine to help your ovaries grow eggs. Starting around day 3 of your cycle, you’ll take medicine (often clomiphene citrate or letrozole, taken in pill form) for 5 days.
Timing is important
With either cycle option, you’ll need to know when the egg is mature. It’s often around day 11 or 12, but you’ll use an ovulation predictor kit at home or go to the clinic for a transvaginal ultrasound to confirm.
- A kit will tell you the timing by detecting an “LH surge.” (LH is a hormone released before an egg is released.)
- An ultrasound will show images of the ovaries and egg growth.
When the egg is mature, you may be given a trigger shot of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). This medicine helps make sure the egg is ready at the right time. A trigger shot can be used in both natural and medicated cycles.
The IUI procedure
The day after your trigger shot, it’s time for the IUI procedure.
- Semen is prepared and placed in a thin tube. The healthiest sperm are ready to make their journey!
- The tube is inserted into the vagina, through the cervix, and to the uterus to release the sperm close to the egg. This only takes a few minutes.
- You’ll rest on your back for a short while, and then you can go about your day. You may have light spotting or cramping.
When will I know if it worked?
You can take an at-home pregnancy test 2 weeks after the IUI. Don’t test too soon — your results might be inaccurate.
Success rates vary based on your age and health background. For people under 35, it may be up to 10% or 15%. For people over 40, the rate is lower.
Talk to your healthcare team to understand if IUI is a good option for you and your family-building goals. Your Progyny Care Advocate is also here to support you.
Disclaimer: The information provided by Progyny is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for medical guidance.