Intratubal insemination (ITI) vs IUI – what’s the big difference?

Whether you’re just starting out on your family-building journey, or you’ve been there for a while and are exploring your wider support options, traditional intrauterine insemination (IUI) is often one of the first procedures you’ll hear about – whether that’s from your care provider or page one of Google! 

No new technologies have been made available in decades for minimally invasive fertility treatment, making it harder to advocate for ourselves. 

But there’s a new-gen approach to artificial insemination that’s gaining traction right now, heading into 2025, with the studies and trials to back it up – and that’s intratubal insemination (ITI) with FemaSeed. 

Developed by the incredible female founder and inventor at Femasys, FemaSeed is a first-line treatment for women or couples considering insemination.

Approved by regulatory bodies worldwide, it’s accessible without the need for any kind of formal infertility diagnosis – you can get started following a quick chat with your provider, who’ll be able to offer personalized guidance. 

Wondering how exactly ITI with FemaSeed works, how it compares to IUI as a treatment, and which one might be right for you?

Here’s what you need to know, with expert insight from the Femasys team.

What is ITI, and how does it compare to IUI?

ITI with FemaSeed is a gentle, targeted fertility treatment that places sperm directly into the fallopian tube – the natural site of fertilization. In contrast, IUI involves placing sperm into the uterus and relying on it to travel to the egg on its own.

FemaSeed makes this process easy and precise by using a specialized catheter to guide sperm directly to the fallopian tube. This significantly reduces the distance sperm must travel, increasing the chances of conception. 

Unlike in vitro fertilization (IVF), which requires egg retrieval and lab fertilization, ITI works with your natural cycle, making it a less invasive and more affordable option.

Who is a good candidate for ITI vs IUI?

Both ITI and IUI are first-line fertility treatments, so ITI is a great choice for anyone interested in insemination and especially if you fall into any of the following patient groups.

• Male factor infertility: Since ITI places sperm closer to the egg, it can be a good option if you’re navigating low sperm count or motility issues.
• Donor sperm recipients: Individuals or couples using donor sperm, including same-sex couples and single women, might find ITI a useful alternative to traditional insemination methods.
• Unexplained infertility: If you haven’t been able to conceive but have no clear medical cause, ITI offers a more targeted approach that might be helpful.
• One blocked fallopian tube: If you have just one open tube, ITI is a really effective way of maximising your chances of conception.

Editor’s note – Before asking about ITI, you might benefit from taking the FemVue test, a natural saline-air bubble test that allows your doctor to easily check your tubes as part of your initial infertility work-up, as well as having a scan of your womb, and a blood test to check your ovarian reserve. 

Want to learn more about getting a blocked fallopian tubes diagnosis, or the FemVue test and whether you might be a candidate? Read our blocked tubes 101 in partnership with Femasys, and jump straight to FemVue for more education and helpful resources.

Let’s talk success rates – does ITI improve your chances compared to IUI?

A pivotal clinical study on FemaSeed found that 1 in 4 women became pregnant, with most success occurring on the first cycle. For comparison, traditional IUI has historically lower success rates, especially in cases of low sperm count, where ITI has been shown to be much more effective. 

So, it looks like by delivering sperm directly into the fallopian tube, ITI can help bypass some of the challenges that come with IUI, where sperm still need to navigate through the harsh environment of the uterus and find its way into the tube where the egg is located.

Is ITI more affordable than IUI?

The short answer is yes. While costs can vary depending on your clinic and location, ITI may offer financial advantages over IUI. 

Because FemaSeed has a higher success rate per cycle, it could mean you’d need fewer treatment cycles overall, reducing your costs in the long run. 

Plus, expensive ovarian stimulation medications that create lots of eggs (and are often needed for IUI) may not be needed with ITI since the sperm is placed directly where it needs to go.   

What’s the treatment experience like?

Both ITI and IUI are quick, doctor’s office-based procedures, but they differ slightly in their approach. Here’s what to know. 

ITI with FemaSeed

The procedure begins with an ultrasound to locate your dominant follicle, where your egg will next be released from. The FemaSeed device is placed in your uterine cavity, and positioned near the selected fallopian tube. 

Sperm is then delivered through the catheter into the fallopian tube, where it remains for up to 72 hours to maximize fertilization chances. Some women experience mild cramping, but painkillers are usually effective and there is no required downtime.

Traditional IUI 

Sperm is placed in your uterus via a catheter, typically without ultrasound guidance. The sperm must then navigate the uterus and travel through the small opening of the fallopian tube to meet the egg. 

The procedure is also fairly quick and you might experience mild cramping too. The key takeaway though? Its success relies on the sperm reaching the fallopian tube on its own.

Making the choice – ask your provider about ITI with FemaSeed

If you’re considering insemination as part of your fertility journey, ITI with FemaSeed lets you advocate for yourself through a next-gen approach with improved pregnancy rates. 

It also provides a natural, safe, minimally invasive, and cost-effective alternative to IVF, while being more precise than IUI.

If you have at least one functioning fallopian tube and are looking for targeted yet affordable support, take the first step by asking your provider about FemaSeed.

Want to learn more about FemaSeed? Check out their FAQs for expert insight, and bookmark their resources page – it even includes a really handy diagnostic sheet where you can track your workup progress prior to the FemaSeed procedure.