Artificial Insemination: Chances of Pregnancy

An unfulfilled desire for children is a challenging situation for many singles and couples. While some couples fulfill their wish for a child relatively quickly, others have to practice patience for a longer time.

In the first year, couples under 40 have a very high probability of up to 30% per cycle. However, after this time, the likelihood of natural conception drops dramatically to about 1-2% per cycle.

With the use of artificial insemination, the average pregnancy chance in Germany is around 32%. In individual cases, under optimal conditions and possibly with the use of specialized methods, this can be increased to well over 40%.

The good news: the success rate per embryo transfer does not decline initially, even after multiple cycles.

On average, over 70% of women become pregnant by the third cycle of artificial insemination.

IVF and ICSI - Methods of Artificial Insemination

In Germany, various types of artificial insemination are available for women, but IVF (In-vitro fertilization) and ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection) are among the most successful methods in most cases.

Both methods involve stimulating the ovaries with hormone injections for about a week to 10 days. Once the follicles reach the appropriate size, the eggs can be retrieved under general anesthesia through the vagina. The procedure takes about five to 10 minutes.

IVF is recommended for cases where both fallopian tubes are blocked, but the sperm quality is normal.

The sperm must naturally penetrate the egg in the culture dish, just as it would in the fallopian tube.

ICSI treatment is recommended when sperm quality is poor. In this case, a single, well-selected sperm cell is injected directly into the egg using microinjection.

The embryo then develops in an incubator. A few days later, the resulting embryo is transferred into the woman's uterine cavity (embryo transfer).

How often does artificial insemination work on the first try?

The chance of success on the first attempt is around 32%. The actual probability of becoming pregnant through artificial insemination is influenced by several factors.

Not only does the woman's age (and therefore the quality of the egg) play a role, but also the maturity of the egg itself.

Not every successful artificial insemination leads to a successful pregnancy.

If the first attempt is unsuccessful, it is generally possible to try again in the next cycle, provided the ovaries have recovered and the hormone levels are suitable for starting the treatment. This is usually the case. In practice, there is no clear advantage to pausing for a few months or to continuing the treatment immediately.

However, a woman should always trust her gut feeling to determine if she is ready to begin a new treatment.

What are the general success rates for artificial insemination?

Here’s some good news: Couples who continue after the first attempt have, when added up, a 52% chance of fulfilling their desire for a child by the second attempt. After the third attempt, the success rate rises to over 70%.

By the fourth treatment with artificial insemination, 90% of women become pregnant. Therefore, multiple attempts significantly increase the chances of success with artificial insemination.

Most importantly, couples should stay positive and patient. It helps to accept this challenging time, understanding that it’s an emotional rollercoaster for all women. And that’s okay for this important phase of life.

In Germany, the transfer of up to three embryos per cycle is legally allowed. However, a higher number of embryo transfers increases the risk of multiple pregnancies, which tend to result in more pregnancy complications, higher chances of miscarriage, and more frequent premature births

How many artificial inseminations are recommended?

While there are fewer regulations on the number of ICSI attempts, many doctors recommend limiting IVF treatments to two or three cycles. After that, it is advisable to consider switching to ICSI, where the sperm can be explicitly selected.

All treatment plans for artificial insemination are well-tested and generally very safe. However, risks cannot be completely ruled out, and increased emotional strain is also common.

The Ceres Fertility Center offers women a free second opinion from its experts to evaluate options for improving chances and to explore whether an immunological evaluation could shed light on embryo implantation failure.

Psychological support during treatment cycles can also be helpful, especially if artificial insemination has failed before. The many consultations and doctor’s appointments can be mentally taxing and increase stress.

Trust in the competence of your chosen clinic is essential, so that such questions can be addressed together.

How many ICSI attempts are needed on average?

If ovarian stimulation is effective, and enough viable eggs are retrieved, the first attempt may already lead to pregnancy, depending on the couple’s personal circumstances. Studies show that the chances of successful artificial insemination with ICSI decline after four unsuccessful cycles, even if performed under optimal conditions.

Whether special methods or additional tests could increase success rates should be discussed individually at the fertility center. Feel free to ask us!