Dr. Ghadir
15Fertility Care

IUI & Medication Cycles

Lower-intensity treatment for the right patients — done well, monitored closely.

In short

Lower-intensity, closely-monitored treatment.

Cycle length
3–4 weeks per attempt
Typical course
3–4 cycles before reassessing
Cost range
$1K–$4K per cycle
Per-cycle success
8–15% under 35, lower with age

Not everyone needs IVF. For many patients — younger, with open tubes and reasonable sperm — a well-timed ovulation-induction cycle or IUI is the right first step. The difference is in the monitoring: dose-finding done by ultrasound and bloodwork, not by formula.

Who this is for
  • Patients with ovulatory disorders (PCOS, irregular cycles).
  • Couples with unexplained infertility under age 35.
  • Same-sex female couples and single mothers using donor sperm.
  • Patients with mild male-factor infertility.
  • Anyone wanting to try a lower-intensity step before considering IVF.
Why patients choose this with Dr. Ghadir
  • Personalized dosing of letrozole, clomiphene, or low-dose gonadotropins.
  • Cycle-day monitoring — not a one-size-fits-all calendar.
  • Trigger timing precise to within hours of optimal follicle maturity.
  • Honest assessment after 3–4 cycles: continue, adjust, or escalate to IVF.
The process
  1. 01
    Baseline ultrasound & labs
    On day 2 or 3 of your cycle to confirm starting hormones and a clean ovarian baseline.
  2. 02
    Medication
    Letrozole or clomiphene by mouth for 5 days, or low-dose injectables when oral agents underperform.
  3. 03
    Monitoring scans
    1–3 ultrasounds with bloodwork to watch follicle growth and adjust dosing.
  4. 04
    Trigger shot
    An hCG or Lupron trigger times ovulation precisely so insemination or intercourse hits the window.
  5. 05
    Insemination (IUI)
    Washed, concentrated sperm is placed directly in the uterus — a brief, comfortable office procedure.
  6. 06
    Two-week wait & pregnancy test
    Blood pregnancy test ~14 days after trigger, with follow-up labs if positive.
What to expect

A full cycle runs about 3–4 weeks. Most patients try 3–4 IUI cycles before reassessing. Success rates depend on age and diagnosis — Dr. Ghadir gives you cycle-specific probabilities up front so you know when to escalate.

Risks & considerations

IUI success per cycle is generally 8–15% under 35 and lower with age. Multiple-pregnancy risk exists with injectables — monitoring is what keeps it controlled. If 3–4 well-run cycles don't work, IVF is typically the next step.

Frequently asked
How many IUI cycles before IVF?
Typically 3–4 well-monitored cycles, sooner if you're over 35 or have a known male factor.
Letrozole or Clomid?
Letrozole is now first-line for most patients — better cycle response, lower multiple-pregnancy risk.
Is IUI painful?
Most patients describe it as similar to a Pap smear — a few seconds of mild pressure, no recovery time.
Can I do IUI with donor sperm?
Yes — frozen donor sperm is standard for single mothers, same-sex female couples, and male-factor cases.
Begin your journey

A clear, calm conversation is the first step.

Schedule a private consultation with Dr. Ghadir to discuss your goals, options, and a path forward built around you.

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