Intra Uterine Insemination - IUI
Intra : Inside
Uterine : The uterus
Insemination : Deposition of semen
IUI is a common infertility treatment that involves the insertion of a very thin catheter into the uterus and then injecting a prepared sample of sperm. Basically, IUI refers to a fertility treatment in which sperm is placed directly into a woman's uterus close to the time of ovulation. The goal of IUI is to increase the chance that the sperm will reach and fertilise an egg, so increasing the chances of pregnancy. Couple with unexplained infertility, male-factor infertility, cervical factor infertility, uterine factor infertility, and tubal factor infertility can choose IUI as their treatment.
The success of an IUI depends on the careful pretreatment evaluation, proper case selection, good ovulation induction and proper monitoring. A pre-treatment evaluation will help in determining the best treatment option for the patient. Ovulation induction is done to increase the chances of pregnancy by providing a fertile environment in the womb for sperm to survive. Proper monitoring ensures that all factors are being monitored closely so that they can be adjusted if necessary.
For whom IUI treatment is recommended?
- For couples having male factor infertility like Oligospermia (Less sperm count) , Asthenospermia (Less sperm motility) , Teratospermia (More percentage of abnormal sperm) , Hypothermia (Less volume of semen)
- For couples having female factor infertility like Poor cervical mucus , Abnormal Post Coital Test – PCT , Immunological factors at the cervix , Anatomical defects of wife , Poor ovulation
- Unexplained infertility
What’s the difference between IUI and IVF?
Many people assume that IUI is the same as IVF, but they're actually different. IUI often tends to be less invasive than IVF cycles. During the IUI process, high quality sperm are placed into a woman's uterus during ovulation.
IVF involves collecting eggs and sperm, fertilising them with each other in a lab and then transferring the resulting embryos into the uterus.
As with any fertility treatment, the success rate of IUI depends on many factors. One important factor is a woman’s age which plays a big part in conception success. The younger a woman is, the higher her chances of getting pregnant. However, IUI success rates will differ from person to person. We can discuss the likelihood of pregnancy success for you based on your individualised treatment plan when you book a consultation with us today.
What’s the procedure of IUI ?
- Step 1. Check the fallopian tubes
Step 1. Check the fallopian tubes
The first step before commencing the IUI process is to have a tubal assessment. During this assessment, we will check that your fallopian tubes are open and healthy using a procedure called a HyCoSy.
- Step 2. Fertility drugs
Step 2. Fertility drugs
We may recommend that you take fertility drugs to help boost your egg production. Occasionally, you can have IUI treatment as part of your normal menstrual cycle.
- Step 3. Scans
Step 3. Scans
If you are taking fertility drugs, we will monitor you regularly with ultrasound scans to check how many follicles are developing.
- Step 4. Hormone injection
Step 4. Hormone injection
Shortly before the insemination, you will be given a hormone injection called the trigger injection. This injection will help the final phase of egg maturation and will result in the egg being released, ready to travel down the fallopian tube to meet the sperm.
- Step 5. Insemination
Step 5. Insemination
Sperm are washed and prepared, and then the best quality sperm are selected and injected into the uterus. This process only takes a few minutes and is relatively pain free.
- Step 6. Pregnancy test