Intrauterine Insemination / Artificial Insemination (IUI/AI)
What is IUI?
Intrauterine insemination (IUI) is a fertility treatment that uses a
catheter to place a number of washed sperm directly
into the uterus. The goal of IUI is to increase the
number of sperm that reach the fallopian tubes and
subsequently increase the chance of fertilization.
When is IUI used?
IUI is a
fertility treatment often selected for couples
who have been trying to conceive for at least
one year but who have no known reasons for their
infertility. It may also be selected as a fertility
treatment with the following conditions:
- low
sperm count
- low sperm motility
- donor sperm
- sexual dysfunction
Although IUI still requires the sperm to reach
and fertilize the egg on its own. IUI provides
the sperm an advantage by giving it a head
start, but it still has to seek out the egg
on its own.
How does IUI work?
The IUI procedure
is simple and may be performed even if the
woman is not receiving medications to improve
or increase her egg production. However, many
physicians will encourage women to take make
mediations to stimulate the ovaries in order
to increase egg production and hopefully the
chance of achieving pregnancy. Usually the
IUI is scheduled 24-48 hours after ovulation
is detected.
The semen sample will be processed
by the laboratory in order to separate the
sperm from the seminal fluid. A catheter is
used to inject the processed sperm directly
into the uterus. This process maximizes the
number of sperm cells that are placed in the
uterus and thus increases the possibility of
conception. The IUI procedure is short and
involves minimal discomfort. The next step
is to wait for the pregnancy test.
How successful
is IUI?
Younger women usually have higher rates
of success compared to women over age 35, but
the average success rate for IUI ranges from
5-15% per cycle.
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