IUI is one of the simplest and most affordable fertility treatments available — and Thailand offers it with the same specialist oversight and laboratory standards as leading clinics in Europe and the US. By placing washed, concentrated sperm directly into the uterus at precisely the right time, IUI gives nature a helping hand without the complexity or cost of IVF. For many patients, it is the ideal first step on the fertility treatment pathway.
What Is IUI?
Intrauterine insemination places prepared sperm directly into the uterus via a thin catheter, timed to coincide with ovulation. The goal is to increase the number of healthy sperm reaching the fallopian tubes when an egg is available. IUI can be performed naturally or with mild ovarian stimulation.
The sperm sample is washed and concentrated in the laboratory before insemination, removing seminal fluid and selecting the most motile sperm. IUI is a first-line treatment for mild male factor infertility, unexplained infertility, and cervical factor issues, and is commonly used with donor sperm.
Common Concerns IUI Can Address
- Unexplained infertility after basic investigations
- Mild male factor infertility (slightly low count or motility)
- Cervical factor infertility or hostile cervical mucus
- Using donor sperm (single parents by choice or same-sex couples)
- Difficulty with timed intercourse due to erectile or ejaculatory issues
Are You a Good Candidate?
- At least one open fallopian tube (confirmed by HSG or similar test)
- Adequate sperm quality (your specialist will advise on minimum thresholds)
- In good general health with regular or inducible ovulation
- Able to commit to a 1–2 week stay in Thailand for monitoring and insemination
Techniques & Options
Your fertility specialist will recommend the IUI protocol best suited to your situation. The two main approaches differ in whether ovarian stimulation medication is used alongside the insemination procedure.
Both approaches follow the same core principle: placing concentrated, washed sperm as close to the egg as possible at the moment of ovulation.
Natural Cycle IUI
No stimulation medication is used. Your natural menstrual cycle is monitored with ultrasound and blood tests to identify the developing follicle and predict ovulation. A trigger injection may be given to time ovulation precisely. Insemination is performed 24–36 hours after the trigger or at the point of natural ovulation.
- No medication side effects
- Suitable for patients with regular, predictable cycles
- Lower cost per cycle
Stimulated IUI
Low-dose fertility medication (oral tablets such as letrozole or clomiphene, or low-dose injectable gonadotropins) is used to stimulate the ovaries to produce one or two mature follicles. Cycle monitoring ensures the response is controlled and safe. Insemination is timed to ovulation using a trigger injection.
- Modestly higher success rates than natural cycle IUI
- Suitable for patients with irregular ovulation or mild ovulatory dysfunction
- Careful monitoring reduces the risk of multiple pregnancy
Recovery Timeline
Days 1–7
If you're having a stimulated cycle, low-dose medication begins in the first few days of your period. Monitoring appointments — typically 2–3 ultrasound scans and blood tests — track follicle growth and hormone levels. For natural cycle IUI, monitoring begins around day 8–10 of your cycle.
Day 10–14
Once a mature follicle is identified, a trigger injection (hCG) is given to induce ovulation. Your partner provides a sperm sample on the day of insemination (or a frozen/donor sample is thawed). The sample is washed and concentrated in the laboratory, a process that takes about 1–2 hours.
Day of Insemination
The insemination itself takes just a few minutes and feels similar to a smear test. A thin catheter is passed through the cervix and the prepared sperm is deposited directly into the uterus. No anaesthesia is needed, and you can return to normal activities immediately afterwards.
Two-Week Wait
A pregnancy blood test (beta-hCG) is performed 14 days after insemination. You can take this test in Thailand or at a local clinic at home. Your coordinator will stay in touch throughout the wait and help you interpret the results.
What to Expect
Safety & Risks
IUI is one of the lowest-risk fertility treatments available. Serious complications are rare, particularly when cycles are carefully monitored by an experienced specialist.
- Mild cramping during or after the insemination procedure
- Small risk of infection (very rare with sterile technique)
- Multiple pregnancy if stimulation produces more than one mature follicle
- Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (rare with low-dose protocols)
- No guarantee of pregnancy per cycle
- Emotional stress from the two-week wait
Your specialist will monitor your cycle closely, particularly if stimulation medication is used. If too many follicles develop, the cycle may be cancelled or converted to IVF to avoid the risk of high-order multiple pregnancy. Thai clinics follow international guidelines to keep IUI treatment as safe as possible.
How Much Does IUI Cost in Thailand?
Our pricing is transparent and all-inclusive — your quote covers everything from specialist consultations to the insemination procedure.
IUI
All-inclusive IUI cycle- Fertility specialist consultations
- Cycle monitoring & ultrasound
- Sperm preparation & washing
- Insemination procedure
- Follow-up appointment
- Dedicated care coordinator
Common Questions About IUI
Everything you need to know before your procedure
Dr. Natthida Chaisiri
MEDICALLY REVIEWEDDr. Natthida Chaisiri
MEDICALLY REVIEWEDFertility Specialist · Bangkok
Last reviewed: February 18, 2026
What's Included
- Fertility specialist consultations
- Cycle monitoring & ultrasound
- Sperm preparation & washing
- Insemination procedure
- Follow-up appointment
- Dedicated care coordinator
Ready to Get Started?
Speak with our care coordinators for a free, no-obligation consultation and personalised quote.
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