IVF and IUI Treatments Explored: Supporting In Vitro Fertilisation and Intrauterine Insemination with Insurance

For some couples, conceiving a child may be difficult. If you’re struggling with infertility, treatments such as IVF and IUI can help you become pregnant. We discuss how these fertility treatments can help, the process, risks, costs and how fertility insurance can help grow your family.

What is IVF?

In vitro fertilisation (IVF) is an assisted reproductive technology (ART) used to help women with infertility become pregnant. It is a complex set of medical procedures that involves the extraction of an egg from the woman's body and sperm fertilisation outside the body at a lab. The fertilised egg, or embryo, is placed in the woman’s uterus, where it will grow and develop.

Why is IVF performed?

IVF is performed for various reasons, and it is usually considered after other reproductive techniques have failed.

IVF is an option when you or your partner has:

• Advanced maternal age

• Damaged or blocked fallopian tubes

• Prior reproductive surgery

• Uterine fibroids

• Endometriosis

• Male infertility

• Unexplained infertility

• Genetic disorders

• Recurrent miscarriages

 

 

IVF treatment process

The IVF treatment process consists of a series of meticulously planned steps to help with conception.

Step 1: Ovarian stimulation

Fertility medicine is administered to a woman to increase egg production so that several eggs are produced rather than just one each month. Hormone levels and ovarian health will be checked regularly using blood tests and ultrasounds.

Step 2: Egg retrieval

The mature eggs are removed via a simple procedure called follicular aspiration. The woman will be either under anaesthesia or sedated. Then, ultrasound pictures are used as a guide to insert a tiny needle through the vaginal wall into the ovary and the egg-containing follicles.

Subsequently, the needle is attached to a suction device, which extracts the fluid and eggs from each follicle individually.

Step 3: Insemination and fertilisation

Using traditional insemination, the man's sperm and the eggs are mixed for fertilisation. Next, the sperm and eggs are kept in a climate-controlled room. Usually, a few hours after insemination, the sperm fertilises an egg.

If there is little possibility of fertilisation or when the quality of the semen is a concern, intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) will be carried out where a single sperm is injected directly into the egg.

Step 4: Embryo culture

The fertilised eggs develop into embryos and cultivated for a few days as they grow and develop in a special incubator. The embryos are frequently monitored to ensure they are growing properly.

Step 5: Embryo transfer

Healthy embryos are implanted into the woman’s uterus. A catheter containing the embryos is inserted into the woman's vagina, through the cervix, and up into the womb. This is a straightforward and painless surgery performed without anaesthesia.

Several embryos may be placed into the womb simultaneously, which results in twins, triplets, or more. However, the precise number of embryos transferred depends on the woman’s age.

How long is the IVF process?

An IVF cycle typically takes approximately 6 to 8 weeks. The process consists of an initial consultation, 8 to 14 days of ovarian stimulation, egg extraction, fertilisation, embryo transfer, and a pregnancy test. Usually, the pregnancy test and embryo transfer are done 5 days after fertilisation.

IVF success rate

IVF success rates can differ significantly based on a variety of variables, including the woman's age, the cause of infertility, the quantity and quality of eggs extracted, and the particular procedures and methods employed by the fertility clinic.

Here are a few IVF success rates^[1] that led to live births:

• 32% for women under 35

• 25% for women aged 35 to 37

• 19% for women aged 38 to 39

• 11% for women aged 40 to 42

• 5% for women aged 43 to 44

• 4% for women aged over 44

 

 

Risks of IVF

The following are several risks associated with IVF treatment:

• Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) occurs when the ovaries overreact to fertility drugs intended to boost egg production. Symptoms include abdominal discomfort, bloating, rapid weight gain, nausea, vomiting, decreased urination and breathlessness.

• Multiple births, such as twins or triplets, might put both the mother and babies in danger. Complications like preterm birth, low birth weight, and other issues can occur.

• Miscarriage can happen due to multiple births, similar to the risks of having multiples from natural conception.

• Congenital disabilities can occur if the baby is delivered sooner than expected or with a lower birth weight.

• Emotional and psychological impact due to multiple treatment cycles, success uncertainty, and adjusting to possible setbacks.

• Medication side effects like mood changes, hot flashes, headaches, and injection site reactions from medications used during IVF.

• Ectopic pregnancy can occur when an embryo implants in a fallopian tube instead of the uterus. This may result in stomach discomfort, vaginal bleeding, or dark vaginal discharge.

 

 

IVF treatment cost in Malaysia

In Malaysia, the average cost of IVF ranges between RM14,000.00 to RM16,000.00 per cycle. The price of IVF might reach RM18,000.00 at upscale clinics. However, the cost can vary depending on the woman’s age, fertility clinic, the complexity of the treatment required, and any additional services or procedures involved.

What is IUI?

Intrauterine insemination (IUI) is a simple procedure. A catheter is utilised to insert sperm directly into a woman's uterus. This improves the chances of fertilisation (and, therefore, pregnancy) by raising the number of healthy sperm that reach the fallopian tubes during the woman's fertile period.

Why is IUI performed?

IUI is performed for:

• Unexplained infertility

• Mild male factor infertility

• Cervical factor infertility

• Donor sperm use

• Ovulatory disorders

• Endometriosis

• Ejaculation dysfunction

• Single parents wishing to start a family

 

 

IUI treatment process

Firstly, a woman will meet with a fertility specialist to review the medical history of both partners. Then, the specialist will perform diagnostic tests, such as a hysterosalpingogram (HSG), or saline infusion sonogram (SIS) to ensure the fallopian tubes are open and the uterus appears normal.

Following that, a fertility drug will be administered to induce ovulation. The woman’s menstrual cycle will be closely monitored with frequent blood tests and ultrasounds to determine the optimal timing of ovulation.

On the day of the insemination, a sample of semen is provided by the male partner or a sperm donor. The sperm sample goes through a ‘sperm wash’ process in the laboratory to obtain the best quality sperm.

Then, the doctor directly inserts the sperm into the uterus using a thin catheter. When the sperm fertilises the egg and the fertilised egg implants in the uterine lining, pregnancy occurs.

Two weeks following IUI, a pregnancy test is conducted to assess the success of the procedure.

How long is the IUI process?

The IUI process is approximately four weeks, from the initial consultation to the pregnancy test. Note that the success rates of IUI might differ based on the individual or couple's unique circumstances, the reason for the infertility, and the fertility clinic's procedures.

IUI success rate

Success rates are increased by 7 to 10%^[2]  with each round of IUI treatments.

Risks of IUI

Potential dangers of IUI include:

• Multiple births like twins or triplets increase the risk of complications. This includes preterm birth and low birth weight.

• Infection after IUI.

• Spotting due to the procedure.

• Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) caused by the overuse of fertility medication, which causes the ovaries to swell and hurt.

 

 

IUI treatment cost in Malaysia

The average IUI treatment cost in Malaysia is between RM1000.00 and RM3000.00. Nevertheless, the price can vary depending on several factors.

To yield the most accurate and current information on IUI treatment prices, reach out directly to fertility clinics.

What is the difference between IVF and IUI?

IVF occurs externally and involves egg stimulation, retrieval, fertilisation, and transfer. Whereas an IUI takes place internally where the sperm is injected into a uterus to decrease the sperm's travel time to the egg.

IUI is a widely used treatment option since it is more affordable and a less invasive alternative to IVF. However, IVF has higher success rates than IUI.

Does insurance cover IVF and IUI?

Yes, Prudential’s PRULady covers infertility treatment and all significant congenital defects.

PRULady is a personalised critical illness insurance for women which provides coverage for female-related needs such as illnesses, and age-related conditions. It includes comprehensive baby care, treatment for infertility, and coverage for all significant congenital or birth problems.

If the infertility issues are due to the man, PRUMan is a critical illness insurance for men  that covers fertility treatments.

Conclusion

Before undergoing IVF or IUI, couples or individuals should speak with their fertility specialist in-depth to address any concerns, weigh the advantages and disadvantages, and choose the best course of action based on their preferences, diagnosis, and particular circumstances.

Prudential offers a wide range of insurance and financial products such as Medical Insurance | Critical Illness Insurance | Investment-linked Life Insurance | Insurance for Parents | Insurance for Mom & Children

If you are interested in Prudential's insurance, contact us for the most up-to-date and accurate information about the various insurance options.

References
^[1] IVF, Available at https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/ivf/
^[2] What is IUI success? Available at https://www.webmd.com/infertility-and-reproduction/what-is-iui-success