It is the process of placing processed semen sample containing motile sperms through the cervix into the uterine cavity around the time of ovulation.
How does it help
IUI is commonly the first line of treatment when medicine and timed intercourse does not succeed. It is suggested for patients with slight to reasonable decrease in sperm count and /or motility, or if there is mild endometriosis. For females who do not ovulate often, ovulation induction maybe combined with IUI. Also, in some couples in whom there is no apparent cause for infertility (unexplained infertility), IUI may be advised.
What are the requirements before IUI?
- Confirmation that you are ovulating, either with or without medications.
- Patent tubes.
- A normal or mild to moderately decreased sperm count.
How the IUI procedure works
When you undergo the IUI procedure, you can expect to go through the following three steps:
- You may begin taking fertility drugs and your ovulation cycle will be monitored.
- Your partner will provide a sperm sample (or you will obtain donor sperm) that will be specially washed and prepared for the insemination.
- Your doctor will inject the prepared sperm into your uterus.
Precautions
Since this is a relatively simple and safe procedure, it does not require any special precautions. Only a few minutes rest after the procedure and then you can resume your routine.
Possible Complications
Apart from mild pain and spotting on the day of an IUI, there are no major complications. Sometimes, a patient may respond excessively to medications and produce more eggs, putting her at risk for multiple pregnancies and a condition called Ovarian Hyper Stimulation Syndrome (OHSS). Infection is a very rare complication.
What are the chances of success
Globally, the success rates for IUI average about 15%. About 80% of the pregnancies occur within the first three IUI cycles. We generally recommend a maximum of three IUI cycles