A randomized comparison of intrauterine and intraperitoneal insemination in the treatment of infertility

OBJECTIVE: To compare the pregnancy rates (PRs) between intrauterine insemination (IUI) and intraperitoneal insemination (IPI) in women receiving comparable ovarian stimulation in couples who were infertile for various infertility conditions. METHOD: Fifty-four couples were treated. Of these, 25 were diagnosed as having unexplained infertility, 21 as having male infertility and 8 as having cervical mucus hostility. RESULT: Nine pregnancies occured with 89 cycles of IUI and 6 pregnancies with 85 cycles of IPI, giving an overall PR of 28%. Twelve of the 15 pregnancies occured during the first treatment cycle and three during the second treatment cycle. There was no significant difference in the (PRs) between the IUI and IPI (P > 0.25). CONCLUSION: Both procedures combined with superovulation proved to be simple, inexpensive safe and worthwhile for infertile couples with unexplained infertility, male infertility and cervical mucus hostility.