Around 1.7% of women aged 15 to 49 have tried artificial or intrauterine insemination (IUI) to start a family, as per recent data from the CDC. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz’s wife, Gwen Walz, has undergone this procedure, which she describes as a personal and difficult experience. The Walzes have two children and have been accused by the Trump campaign of lying about using in vitro fertilization (IVF) to start a family.
IVF has become a key campaign issue, with calls from groups like Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America for Republican-led legislatures to tighten restrictions on access to this fertility treatment. Congressional Democrats have also petitioned for a bill prohibiting limits on IVF nationwide to protect access to these treatments. Tim Walz has discussed his family’s experience with infertility treatments and the importance of reproductive health care.
The Harris campaign has defended Walz’s statements regarding IVF, stating that he was using common shorthand for fertility treatments and that attacks on reproductive rights are jeopardizing access to all fertility treatments. IUI and IVF are two different procedures, with IVF involving more steps and processes as compared to IUI. Some religious organizations, such as the Southern Baptist Convention, have raised objections to the practices involved in IVF but have not raised the same concerns with IUI.
Fertility medications are commonly used in conjunction with IUI to improve success rates. These medications can be administered orally or through injections to stimulate egg production. IUI is often a first-line treatment option for couples struggling to conceive and is considered less invasive and costly than IVF. The success rates for IUI are lower than IVF, but it is a preferred choice for many couples due to its affordability and effectiveness.
The average cost of IUI is lower than IVF, making it a more accessible option for many couples. Success rates for IUI vary, with the procedure being successful up to 20% of the time if done monthly. For couples who do not achieve pregnancy after several cycles of IUI, transitioning to IVF may be recommended. While IVF is often considered a second-line treatment, some experts suggest that it could be a first-line treatment for certain individuals. Overall, both IUI and IVF are valuable fertility treatments that provide options for couples struggling to conceive.
