Intrauterine Insemination (IUI)

Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) is a fertility treatment that involves placing sperm directly into a woman’s uterus. The sperm used for IUI has been specially prepared in a laboratory to improve its chances of fertilizing an egg. This procedure is typically performed around the time of ovulation to maximize the chances of conception.

Compared to natural conception, IUI offers several advantages. The sperm used in IUI has been carefully selected for its quality and motility, ensuring that only the healthiest sperm are introduced into the uterus. Additionally, by bypassing the cervix, IUI allows a higher concentration of sperm to reach the fallopian tubes where fertilization occurs.

Tips for Preparing

Male

Get enough sleep, manage stress levels, abstain from smoking and alcohol consumption, and maintain a balanced diet that includes all food groups. Consider taking supplements if necessary.
Abstain from ejaculation for 3-5 days prior to the sperm collection.
Undergo a blood test to assess overall health and fertility (can be done beforehand or on the day of the IUI procedure).
Provide a semen sample on the day of the IUI procedure, ideally 1-2 hours prior to the scheduled IUI procedure.
The collected semen sample will be processed in our laboratory to select healthy, motile sperm, which will then be used for the IUI procedure.

Female

Baseline Appointment: Schedule an initial appointment within the first three days of your menstrual cycle. A blood test will be conducted to assess your response to fertility medications.
Medication Administration: Attend follow-up appointments as scheduled and take prescribed medications as directed. Typically, there will be approximately 3 follow-up visits per IUI cycle.
Follicle Monitoring: Regular transvaginal ultrasounds (TVS) will be performed to monitor the growth of follicles.
Final Maturation and IUI: When the follicles reach the optimal size, the doctor will administer a final trigger shot to induce complete maturation. Approximately 34-36 hours later, an IUI procedure will be performed.
Post-Procedure: Following the IUI procedure, a brief rest period of 15-30 minutes is recommended before discharge.

IUI Procedure and Timeline

Limitations of IUI

IUI is not suitable for couples where the male partner has severely low sperm quality.
IUI is not an option for couples where the female partner has bilateral fallopian tube blockages.
IUI is not appropriate for couples where the female partner has undergone bilateral tubal ligation.

Pregnancy rate (IUI)

The success rate of IUI is approximately 10-15 % (depending on factors such as the age of the couple, sperm quality, egg health, and others).