Are success rates of donor insemination cumulative as well?

Hello,

I hope all is well with you.

My wife is about to start her 4th AI attempt using donor sperm, and I’d like to know whether the conception rate is cumulative as well, because I’ve heard this occurs in cases of artificial insemination by husband. This is our 4th attempt on IUI and we pray to God this time works!! I suffer from severe azoospermia, so I have a zero sperm count, but we thought using donor sperm would work on the very first attempt, and now we are so disappointed to be honest, but we’ll keep trying.

Thanksss

Xx

Dear Patrick,

Yes, success rates using donor sperm are cumulative as well. In fact, success rates of AI by donor are higher than those obtained with husband’s sperm. This is due to the fact that sperm donor samples are always of better quality than those from the husband, mainly because they are required to undergo thorough medical screening tests.

Odds of achieving pregnancy increase after each IUI attempt. Highest success rates are obtained after 3-4 inseminations always. In case further cycles are required, the general recommendation is switching to IVF or another fertility treatment, since there may be some female fertility problem hindering chances of conception.

Usually, is IUI does not work, the recommended technique is IVF, which counts on higher success rates and, besides, is more effective than AI, even if applied to women with low ovarian reserve. With IVF, you can be sure fertilization occurs because the embryo is directly transferred into the uterus.

Hope this helps