IUI (intrauterine insemination) is a type of artificial insemination. Sperm that have been washed and concentrated are placed directly inside of your uterus during ovulation. This helps healthy sperm get closer to the egg when it’s released by your ovaries. It’s a common fertility treatment for couples or individuals wishing to conceive.
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Intrauterine insemination (IUI), a type of artificial insemination, is a fertility treatment where sperm is placed directly into a woman’s uterus.
During a natural conception, sperm has to travel from your vagina through your cervix, into your uterus and to your fallopian tubes. Only 5% of the sperm are able to travel from your vagina to your uterus. Once your ovary releases an egg, it travels to your fallopian tube. This is where the sperm and egg meet and fertilization occurs. With IUI, the sperm is collected, washed and concentrated so that only high-quality sperm remain. This sperm is placed directly into your uterus with a catheter (thin tube), putting it closer to your fallopian tubes. IUI makes it easier for the sperm to reach an egg because it cuts down on the time and distance it has to travel. This increases your chance of becoming pregnant.
Healthcare providers often try IUI before other more invasive and expensive fertility treatments. IUIs can be performed with your partner’s sperm or with donor sperm. A woman may take fertility drugs to ensure eggs are released during ovulation.
People choose IUI for many reasons, such as infertility issues, or as a reproductive option for same-sex female couples or females who wish to have a baby without a partner, using a sperm donor.
Intrauterine insemination (IUI) may be used when these conditions are present:
The timeline for the IUI procedure is approximately four weeks (around 28 days) from beginning to end. It’s about the same length as a regular menstrual cycle.
The success varies depending on the underlying cause of infertility. IUI works best in women with unexplained infertility, and women with cervical mucus issues or men with issues with ejaculation. There are certain conditions like fallopian tube disorders, endometriosis or severe sperm impairment where IUI won’t work well. Treatments like IVF (in vitro fertilization) may work better for these issues.
Intrauterine insemination (IUI) is different from in vitro fertilization (IVF) because fertilization occurs inside of your fallopian tube in an IUI procedure. A sperm sample is collected and washed so that only high-quality sperm are left. This sample is inserted into your uterus with a catheter during ovulation. This method helps the sperm get to the egg more easily in hopes fertilization will happen. With IVF, the sperm and egg are fertilized outside of your body (in a lab) and then placed in your uterus as an embryo. IUI is less expensive and less invasive than IVF. IUI has a lower success rate per cycle.
Every treatment plan and healthcare provider may have a slightly different process. IUI treatment typically includes the following:
Before starting IUI treatment, you’ll need a thorough medical exam and fertility tests. Your partner will be examined and tested as well. This could include:
Your healthcare provider may recommend taking folic acid (included in most prenatal vitamins) at least three months before conception (or IUI treatment).
There are some mild symptoms that you can experience after IUI:
Most people will return to normal activities right away. You should avoid anything that makes you feel uncomfortable after IUI, but there usually aren’t any restrictions. A pregnancy test can be taken around two weeks after IUI.
Anesthesia isn’t required for IUI and the procedure shouldn’t be painful. However, you may have mild cramping and discomfort during and right after insemination.
IUI is low risk compared to other more invasive fertility treatments like IVF. Some of the risks of IUI are:
Other than the reason for infertility, age is the most important factor in determining the success of IUI. Most healthcare providers will recommend IUI before turning 40 to increase your chance of becoming pregnant.
As a person ages, they have fewer eggs and the quality of those eggs decreases. The pregnancy rate for IUI by age is:
Yes, you can have sex before and after IUI. You’re increasing your chances of becoming pregnant by having sex the day of IUI or the day after.
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