Intrauterine Insemination (IUI)
Overview
Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) is a less invasive fertility procedure where healthy sperm is injected through the cervix into the uterus during ovulation to enhance the chances of fertilization. This type of artificial insemination is short, involves minimal discomfort, and increases the likelihood of pregnancy. For this procedure, the sperm is washed and concentrated before being placed directly into the uterus. IUI is one of the most common fertility treatments for couples or individuals trying to conceive.
Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) is performed to enhance the chances of conception for couples or individuals facing various fertility challenges. It is particularly beneficial for those with unexplained infertility, mild male factor infertility, cervical issues, ovulation problems, or semen allergies. Additionally, IUI is commonly used by single women and same-sex female couples wishing to conceive with donor sperm, as well as by women with endometriosis or men with ejaculation dysfunction. The procedure involves placing concentrated and washed sperm directly into the uterus during ovulation, thereby increasing the likelihood of fertilization by bringing a higher concentration of healthy sperm closer to the egg. This less invasive and more cost-effective method often serves as an initial treatment option before considering more advanced reproductive technologies.
Who might benefit from IUI?
Doctors may recommend IUI for:
- Couples with unexplained infertility
- Men with mild male factor infertility
- Women with cervical issues
- Women with ovulation problems
- Individuals with semen allergies
- Single women and same-sex couples
- Women with endometriosis-related infertility
- Men with ejaculation dysfunction
- Men with subfertile semen parameters.
How do you prepare for the procedure ?
Intrauterine insemination involves some basic steps before the procedure. This involves:
For Women:
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- Medical Evaluation: Undergo a thorough medical evaluation to assess overall health and identify any underlying conditions that may affect fertility. This includes blood tests, pelvic exams, and ultrasounds.
- Ovulation Monitoring: Track ovulation using methods like ovulation predictor kits, ultrasound monitoring, or blood tests to determine the best timing for the procedure. Some women may receive medications to stimulate ovulation.
- Ultrasound Monitoring: Regularly monitor the development of follicles in the ovaries through ultrasound to determine the optimal time for insemination.
- Trigger Shot: In some cases, a “trigger shot” of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) may be administered to induce ovulation at a precise time.
For Men:
- Semen Analysis: Provide a semen sample for analysis to evaluate sperm count, motility, and morphology. This helps determine the best approach for sperm preparation.
Procedure
Anesthesia isn’t required for IUI, and the procedure isn’t painful. However, you may experience mild cramping and discomfort during and after insemination. The IUI procedure involves the following steps:
- Monitoring Ovulation: The woman’s ovulation is closely monitored through ultrasound and hormone tests, sometimes supported by ovulation-stimulating medications.
- Sperm Collection: On the day of the IUI procedure, a semen sample is collected. This can be done at home or in a clinic, depending on the facility’s guidelines.
- Sperm Sample Washing: The collected sperm is then “washed” in a laboratory to separate the healthy, motile sperm from the seminal fluid and any impurities. This involves the removal of the seminal fluid from the sample because it can cause severe cramping in the female. This part can take 1-2 hours.
- Sperm insertion: A professional will insert a thin, flexible catheter through the cervix into the uterus and slowly inject the sperm sample.
After the Procedure
After the sperm is placed in your uterus, you will lie on your back for a brief time. Once the procedure is over, you can get dressed and resume your usual daily routine. You may experience some light spotting for a day or two after the procedure.
Results
The results of Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) can vary depending on several factors, including the age of the woman, the underlying cause of infertility, and whether fertility medications were used. On average, the success rate of IUI per cycle ranges from 10% to 20%, meaning that out of 100 women who undergo IUI, 10 to 20 might become pregnant in one cycle.
Risks and potential complications of IUI?
There are some mild symptoms that you can experience after IUI like mild cramping, spotting for one or two days. IUI is low risk compared to other more invasive fertility treatments. These risks includes:
- Multiple births: if you are on fertility medication, the chances of your having more than one egg is increased. This increases the chances of becoming pregnant with twins or more.
- Infection
- Spotting
- Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome: this is a rare side effect which is caused by taking too much fertility medication. OHSS causes the ovaries to become painful and swollen.
Cost of IUI
The cost of IUI is INR 8,500, which covers all essential aspects of the procedure. This includes all consultations, necessary scans, the IUI procedure itself, and the preparation of the semen for the process. This comprehensive package ensures that patients receive the complete care required without any hidden or additional charges.
What are the success rates for IUI?
Every individual will have a different response to IUI. Some of the factors that affect the success rates includes:
- Age
- Underlying infertility diagnosis
- Whether fertility drugs are used
- Other underlying fertility concerns.
Why stands out about Yellow IVF’s approach to IUI?
Choosing Yellow IVF means selecting a compassionate, experienced, and innovative partner in your journey to parenthood.
- Advanced technology: Utilization of cutting-edge technology and techniques.
- Personalized care: Customized treatment plans tailored to individual needs.
- Expert team: Highly experienced fertility specialists.
- Comprehensive support: Emotional, financial, and medical support throughout the journey.
- High success rates: Consistently achieving high success rates.
- Holistic approach: Integrating holistic practices to enhance overall well-being and treatment outcomes.
