Highlighting the difference between IUI and IVF
For patients who want to become pregnant and cannot conceive, the stress of infertility can take a toll. At Innovative Fertility Center, Mark Rispler MD is dedicated to offering our patients top-notch treatment in a supportive environment. He creates personalized treatment plans for our Los Angeles fertility center patients, which may include intrauterine insemination (IUI) or in vitro fertilization (IVF). Understanding the difference between IUI and IVF is an important part of the infertility treatment process.
The 411 on fertility treatment basics
As a highly skilled reproductive endocrinologist, Dr. Rispler employs proven infertility treatment methods to assist our patients in becoming pregnant. He often begins with IUI as the first line of treatment, especially for women with ovulation issues, patients with unexplained infertility and those with mild male factor infertility. With an IUI, he will monitor your cycle in our Los Angeles fertility center, and your partner will provide a sperm sample that is washed in our laboratory to purify it. Then, Dr. Rispler will insert the sperm into the uterus, increasing the chances that the egg and sperm will meet.
Weighing the difference between IUI and IVF
In some cases, IVF is a better option. For the IVF procedure, we will stimulate egg production. Dr. Rispler will then retrieve the eggs, which are then combined with sperm in our Los Angeles fertility center laboratory, in the hopes that fertilization will occur. The resulting embryos are frozen in preparation for the embryo transfer, usually scheduled for at least a month after the retrieval. Dr. Rispler will then transfer the healthy embryos back into the uterus during an in-office procedure. Typically, he recommends IVF for the following reasons.
- Failed IUI cycles
- Advanced maternal age
- Recurrent miscarriage
- Severe male infertility
Infertility can leave you feeling discouraged. Dr. Rispler and the team at our Los Angeles fertility center can help you find solutions to achieve success. Contact us for more information about the difference between IUI and IVF, or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Rispler.