Intrauterine Insemination (IUI)
Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) is often the first line of treatment for assisted reproduction after Natural Fertility Therapy or timed intercourse has failed to provide successful results. Your doctor may recommend this procedure in cases of unexplained infertility, non –tubal infertility or moderate male factor subfertility.
What is Intrauterine Insemination (IUI)?
IUI is the process of placing a processed semen sample (washed and prepared) containing motile sperm through the cervical canal into the uterine cavity of the female intended to conceive. This process is carried out around the time of ovulation, hence your doctor may prescribe medicines for ovulation induction (stimulating your ovaries to produce eggs). However, if you ovulate regularly then you may not require medication.
What are the benefits of Intrauterine Insemination (IUI)?
- It is less invasive than other fertility treatments such as In-vitro fertilization
- It is less expensive as compared to other methods of assisted reproduction
- The risks and complications associated with the procedure are minimal
What is the treatment process of Intrauterine Insemination (IUI)?
- IUI is a safe procedure. You will be advised medicines for ovulation induction (oral tablets or gonadotrophin injections). Your progress will be monitored by sonography.
- When the follicles are of appropriate size, we either plan the insemination around spontaneous ovulation or trigger ovulation with an injectable hormone – both options are equally effective.
- Your partner will need to provide his semen sample on the day of the IUI. The doctors can also use a previously frozen sample (through an unknown donor or a known party). The semen sample is washed and prepared in the laboratory.
- The processed semen sample is then injected into the uterus through the cervical cavity with the help of a catheter.
- Your doctor may prescribe you additional medication to support the procedure and would recommend you to wait for 14 days, at the end of which, you can test your pregnancy at home or the clinic.
What are the precautions to be taken by both partners before and after Intrauterine Insemination (IUI)?
- IUI is a relatively simple and safe procedure and does not need any special precautions.
- You may be required to rest for a few minutes after the procedure and then you can resume your routine.
- In rare cases, you may experience mild pain or spotting on the day or after the IUI procedure. Contact your doctor to discuss the same.
- 5-10% of the patients may have multiple pregnancies as you may respond excessively to the medication and produce more eggs than can be safely inseminated. In this instance, your doctor may recommend cancelling the cycle or converting to IVF.
What is the success rate of Intrauterine Insemination (IUI)?
Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) has a success rate of 15% worldwide, however the results can differ for every individual. Around 80% of the pregnancies occur within the first three IUI cycles. Based on your medical history and how you are responding to treatment, your doctor will recommend a certain number of IUI cycles, usually not to exceed 4-6 cycles without achieving pregnancy.
