What is the success rate for artificial insemination?
We tell you how likely we are to get pregnant with artificial insemination and what its success depends on.
The artificial insemination is one of the fertility treatments most commonly used today for its low cost. It consists of introducing a man’s semen unnaturally into a woman’s uterus. The semen sample is prepared beforehand in the laboratory and inserted into the uterus to increase the potential for sperm to reach and fertilize the egg. The chances of fertilizing the egg are increased because the path that sperm have to make along the cervix is shortened. It differsof other fertility treatments such as in vitro fertilization in which the ovules of the woman are not previously extracted, but the semen is introduced directly. This treatment is painless and we can distinguish two types depending on the origin of the sample.
-Homologous artificial insemination: when the donor is the woman’s partner, in these cases the probability of success is around 15-25%.
-Heterologous artificial insemination: when sperm from a bank is used. Here the rate is a bit higher because donors are chosen, 20-30%.
Index
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS REQUIRED FOR THE TECHNIQUE TO WORK
Before talking about the success rate, there are some minimum requirements that are necessary for a woman to become pregnant using this technique. If these minimums are not met, a success rate cannot be guaranteed. It is important to be well informed and make sure they are complied with because otherwise we will be practically wasting money. The requirements are:
-The sperm must have a correct mobility.
-The fallopian tubes have to have good patency.
-There must be natural ovulation by the woman (either induced with hormonal treatment or spontaneous)
FACTORS INFLUENCING THE SUCCESS OF ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION
Although it is cheaper than other fertility treatments, it is still expensive and not affordable for everyone. For this reason, many women want to find out in advance the success rates to achieve the long-awaited pregnancy through this method. However, the rate is variable and depends on many factors. Then we leave you with the most relevant.
1) The age of the woman.
It’s one of the most important. It is known that the younger the woman is, the more likely she is to be successful. From 35 years of age women will begin to have greater difficulties in becoming pregnant because the number of eggs decreases until they begin with menopause (moment in which ovulation stops). However, do not be discouraged. In cases in which the woman exceeds that age, other fertility treatments such as in vitro fertilization or sperm microinjection are usually recommended.
2) Cause of infertility and its duration
In these cases, it will be necessary to study the history of the woman and know the reasons why it is difficult for her to become pregnant . Sometimes insemination is not recommended depending on the causes of the problem. Although insemination is a great help if there are serious fertility problems in women or men, it will be difficult for fertilization to occur. Therefore, you have to check that the minimum requirements are met and still be aware that there may be difficulties. For example, the patency of the woman’s fallopian tubes may meet the minimum required but still not the most optimal, the same happens with the mobility of sperm.
3) Receive ovarian stimulation
Is the woman receiving hormonal treatment? Each one will respond differently to the medication and must be regulated according to each one. For example, a very intense stimulation will cause the woman to create many follicles (the “pockets” where the eggs are formed), although it may seem good at first it is actually counterproductive because those created eggs can be of poorer quality and also increase the chances of multiple pregnancy, which does not interest because it is very risky.
4) Endometrial thickness in women
The endometrium is the layer that is responsible for receiving the embryo after fertilization. It has to have a minimum thickness, conditions and quality so that when it falls it can “grab” the uterus and grow. The endometrium has to be receptive. From there, the higher the quality, the greater the probability of success.
5) Cumulative pregnancy rate
One of the advantages that artificial insemination has over other fertility treatments is that the success rate is cumulative. What does this mean? With this method the chances of success increase with each attempt up to a maximum of 4 times , from then on the success is maintained. That is, if you do not get a pregnancy in the first attempt, you will have more chances in the second, if you do not achieve it in this, the probability will be higher for the third and the same with the fourth. This success rate will depend on whether you use semen from the partner or from a donor from a bank. When it comes from the latter, the rates are slightly higher because the sperm quality is usually better.
– Success rate with semen from the partner:
First: 15-23%
Monday: 26-34%
Third: 35-42%
Fourth: 40-60%
– Success rate with donor semen:
First: 17-28%
Monday: 30-46%
Third: 48-60%
Fourth: 60-75%
In any case, the success rate will also depend on the center where it is performed, the quality of the semen and especially the age of the woman. If after the fourth attempt the artificial insemination has not been successful , the treatment is suspended because the success rate will no longer improve. When this happens, in vitro fertilization is usually recommended.
DOES REST INCREASE THE CHANCES OF SUCCESS?
Finally, there are women who believe that resting after insemination increases the chances of success. The truth is that no. After the sperm introduction, the patient has to stay in the same position for at least 15-20 minutes , after that time the specialist recommends normal life and she can leave the center. It is better that during the following days you continue with your daily routine (working, studying, leaving the house …) because a continuous rest will not improve success or alleviate possible side effects. It will only make the woman more obsessed with the pregnancy because she will have more free time to think about it.
Dr. Tabriella Perivolaris, Sara's mother and fan of fashion, beauty, motherhood, among others, about the female universe. Since 2018 she has been working as a copywriter, always bringing to her articles a little of her experience and experience as a mother and woman.