California Fertility Doctors: Studies Suggest Artificial Insemination Increasingly Second Choice

SAN RAMON, Calif., May 26 /PRNewswire/ -- Spurred by recent research, northern California fertility specialists are edging away from traditional infertility treatment – artificial insemination – saying newer IVF technology costs less and works better in the long run, saving many patients time, money, and heartache.

Intrauterine insemination (IUI or artificial insemination) was popular for decades because it's a relatively simple procedure with fewer side effects and costs compared to IVF. New studies reported in The Australian and New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (May 4, 2010) showed that patients who began their treatment with "fast track IVF" got pregnant almost one month faster on average, and spent almost $5,000 USD less than those who used conventional protocols (IUI).

"This research echoes the 2008 Dartmouth study that signified a similar course change from treatment that begins with IUI," said Reproductive Science Center of the San Francisco Bay Area (RSC) reproductive endocrinologist Dr. Mary Hinckley. "For many patients, starting with IVF means less emotional and financial drain, plus greater success. The study also reported that the IVF group had fewer multiple births, a significant safety factor for mothers and babies."

IVF offers an average pregnancy rate of 35 percent (according 2007 CDC data; RSC's average pregnancy rate is 59 percent). Though less costly, IUI offers only a 9-to-15 percent pregnancy rate. IVF reduces multiples through elective single embryo transfer, the transfer of one embryo at a time. Medication used with IUI causes many eggs develop, increasing the incidence of multiples.

RSC offers fast-track IVF for qualified patients for whom Clomid has failed, including women under age 40 with unexplained infertility and older women who have few fertile years remaining.

Reproductive Science Center

Established in 1983, RSC was one of the earliest IVF facilities in the country, begun just two years after the nation's first successful IVF treatment. RSC was among the first in the nation to report a successful pregnancy from a donor egg and the second successful pregnancy from a frozen embryo. RSC's six infertility specialists practice in San Ramon, Orinda, San Jose, and Modesto. RSC is a member of IntegraMed.

SOURCE Reproductive Science Center