What is IUI?
Intrauterine insemination or IUI treatment is the placing of sperm into a woman’s uterus at the time of ovulation. This procedure is used for couples with unexplained infertility, a minimal factor of male infertility, and women with cervical mucus problems. In some woman Anti Sperm Antibodies are present in the cervical mucus. Those antibodies will make sperm immobile or immotile.
IUI treatment is often done along with ovulation-stimulating drugs. Intrauterine insemination can be performed by using the husband’s sperm IUI-H or donor sperm IUI-D. Before Intrauterine insemination, women should be evaluated for any hormonal imbalance, infection, or structural problems of uterus and fallopian tubes. Common tests include Hystero Salpingogram ( HSG), Saline Infusion Sonogram (SIS), Diagnostic Laparoscopy and Hysteroscopy.
IUI may be used in along with ovulatory medications, and injectable ovulation Stimulating drugs are used in an IUI cycle, careful monitoring is essential. Monitoring includes periodic blood tests and ultrasound scanning ( Follicular scan or Study) beginning around day 6 of the woman’s cycle. Results of these tests will indicate when eggs are mature, prompting the HCG shot ( Human Chorianic Gonadotropin)
Intrauterine insemination IUI treatment is also used with specially prepared donor sperm. The sperm bank sends the doctor’s office sperm that is already prepared. Intrauterine insemination is a relatively quick procedure and is performed in the doctor’s office without any anesthesia. It should not be painful, although some women report mild discomfort.
The IUI Treatment Procedure
- The procedure is rather simple, though it is quite normal to feel nervous about it. It will be done in our Anusri Hospitals Affordable Fertility , Maternity and Laparoscopy Center and Lakshya fertility clinic Alwal. One need not go to the hospital for the procedure.
- If one is using a sperm donor, the donor sperm will indeed be thawed and prepared.
- If one’s partner will be out of town, or one has difficulty providing a sample in the past, one’s partner may also provide the semen sample before IUI day. In this case, the semen sample is frozen, it will be thawed and prepared.
- Semen does contain more than just sperm. One’s doctor will, in fact, put the semen through a special “washing” procedure. This does take out the required impurities and does leave only what is indeed required for conception.
- For the procedure itself, one will lie down on a gynecological table, quite similar to the ones used for one’s yearly exam.
- A catheter — a small, thin tube—will be inserted woman’s cervix. One may have some mild cramping, similar to what one might feel during a pap smear.
- The specially washed semen will then be transferred into woman’s uterus via the catheter, while observing it using ultrasound machine.
- The catheter is removed, is done.
- Doctor may suggest the woman to remain lie horizontally for a short while after the procedure, or one may be able to get up right away.
- In either of the cases, one need not need to worry about the sperm falling out when one’s stand up. The sperm gets transferred directly into one’s uterus.
The IUI Treatment Procedure
- After the IUI procedure, you may be prescribed progesterone. This is usually taken via a vaginal suppository.
- About a week after the IUI, one’s doctor may order blood work. He will check one’s progesterone levels, estrogen, and (perhaps) hCG levels.
- Ten to 14 days post-IUI, one’s doctor may order a pregnancy blood test. Or, he may, in fact, suggest a home urine pregnancy test (UPT). UPT kits are usually available in pharmacy over the counter without a prescription.
Success Rate of IUI Treatment
As per international studies and research, during the fixed cycles wherever fertility drugs and IUI were combined, the pregnancy rate was between 8 percent to 17 percent. These are per cycle rates, meaning that the success will be higher when multiple cycles IUI are performed together. That’s why in our Anusri Hospitals Affordable Fertility , Maternity and Laparoscopy Center DOUBLE IUI is advised depending on the rupture of follicle.
Usually, the success rate in this regard will depend on the cause of one’s infertility and one’s age.
How to Get Pregnant When Couples Do Have Unexplained Infertility?
Though IUI success rates are calculated as per cycle, which is in fact much higher, IUI is significantly rather less expensive. The procedure is also much easier and less invasive, less painful which does not need staying in hospital post procedure.
