Intrauterine insemination (IUI) is an infertility treatment that includes putting sperm inside the mother’s uterus to help fertilization. The objective of IUI is to increase both quality and quantity of sperms those reach the fallopian tubes and accordingly increase the chances of fertilization.
IUI gives the sperms a head start, yet at the same time, a sperm has to reach and penetrate the egg without any other medical help.
It is an affordable option for infertility treatment before going for IVF.
Before knowing how does IUI work, one needs to know and understand a few things.
IUI is commonly used in the following scenarios:
- unexplained infertility
- mild endometriosis
- issues with the cervix or cervical mucus
- low sperm count
- issues with ejaculation or erection
- same-sex couples wishing to conceive
- a single woman wishing to conceive
- a couple who doesn’t want to pass on genetic defects.
IUI isn’t effective in the following scenarios:
- women with moderate to severe endometriosis
- women whose fallopian tubes are removed or blocked.
- women who are suffering from tube ailments
- women who had multiple pelvic infections
- men who have extremely low sperm count in their semen (unless the couple wishes to use donor sperm).
How does IUI work?
- Before the IUI Procedure, ovulation-stimulating medications are given, in which case the patient is usually carefully monitored to check if the eggs are matured enough or not. So, around the time of ovulation, typically about 24-36 hours after the surge, the procedure will be performed.
- You may have a few office visits for blood sample test, ultrasounds, and prescription directions.
- About seven days being on the medicine, you’ll likely have another ultrasound testing
- Depending upon your test outcomes, your specialist will decide when you’re ovulating. This is ordinarily 10 to 16 days in the wake of beginning the drugs.
- Your male partner will give a semen test or the donor sperm will be defrosted.
- The sperm will be taken quickly to a lab where they will be “washed.” This is where the original liquid and different trash are expelled with the goal that the sperm is extremely focused and far-fetched to aggravate the uterus.
The Risk Factor in IUI:
The chance of multiple pregnancies (twins or triplets) is increased if IUI works. Sometimes, there can also be infections, but that’s it.
How successful is IUI?
The success rates IUI may reach as high as 20% per cycle depending on the factors like female age, the reason for infertility.
But of course, for people who want an assured pregnancy, this may seem to be less of a guaranteed procedure than IVF. IVF Success ratio is higher in terms but is also expensive as compared to IUI.
To know more about IUI and other fertility methods, visit OASIS.