What Is IUI?
Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) is a type of artificial insemination that involves a simple procedure of placing the sperms directly inside the uterus during ovulation period. This helps the sperm to get closer to the egg. This procedure can be performed either with the partner’s sperm or with sperm taken from a donor.
Who Need IUI?
IUI is effective for unexplained infertility, mild endometriosis, chronic cervical inflammation (cervicitis) or poor cervical mucus, low sperm count and motility, erectile dysfunction, and problems with ejaculation.
Couple who needs donor sperm, such as same-sex couple or single women wishing to conceive can prefer IUI as first choice of fertility treatment. Also, for couples who had timed intercourse cycles with medication but still have not seen positive results, IUI might be an ideal next step.
IUI might not be effective in women with severe endometriosis, fallopian tube blockage, severe fallopian tube disorders, multiple pelvic infections and in men with no sperm production unless the couple willing to use donor sperm
How Does IUI Work?
IUI is also called donor insemination or artificial insemination. In IUI, placing the sperm directly inside the uterus reduces the time and distance the sperm has to travel to reach the egg. This makes the IUI process successful by increasing the chance of fertilization.
Before going through the insemination procedure, ovarian stimulation medicines are given to the woman to stimulate the ovaries to release an egg or eggs.
Next, semen is collected from the male partner or the donor. It goes through a process called ‘sperm washing’ to remove the mucus and non-motile sperm in the semen and to improve the chances of fertilization through healthy motile and progressive sperm.
The catheter is used to place the washed sperm inside the uterine cavity bypassing the cervical mucus barrier, thereby increasing the concentration of sperm at the site of fertilization. Successful pregnancy happens if the sperm cells fertilize the egg and the fertilized egg implants in the lining of the uterus. IUI is a low-tech, simple and less expensive procedure than other types of fertility treatments.
Difference Between IUI And IVF Procedure
The major difference between IUI and IVF is that in IUI, fertilization occurs internally. That is, the sperm is injected directly into the uterus and if fertilization occurs, the embryo implants there as well.
With IVF, fertilization takes place outside the uterus, in a laboratory. The sperm and the egg are fused and after fertilization and the successfully fertilized eggs would be placed in the uterus. Preferably, the fertilized egg would then implant in the lining of the uterus and result in pregnancy.
IUI is less expensive and less invasive than IVF. It is generally recommended that couples try at least 6 cycles of IUI before moving on to IVF.
How IUI Is Done?
The Following Steps Will Be Followed During The IUI Procedure
Stimulate Egg Growth:
The woman starts on medication to stimulate the growth and maturation of eggs. Oral medication is taken regularly for 5 days and injectable medication is generally taken for 8-12 days based on the response of the ovaries.
Ultrasound & Blood Monitoring:
While on medication, a brief ultrasound is done every 2-3 days to monitor the stimulation of ovaries and the development of eggs. Blood tests are also done to assess the hormone levels associated with egg growth and ovarian function. Through this monitoring, we ensure everything is progressing safely and sound.
Ovulation Induced:
Once the egg is ripe, the patient receives a “trigger shot” to ovulate within about 36 hours. The shot is given either at the clinic or self-administered at home.
Sperm Sample:
Semen sample is processed by sperm washing,a process by which the healthy, motile (swimming) sperm is separated from the dead or nonmotile sperm, enzymes and fluids of seminal fluid.
Insemination Procedure:
The procedure of IUI takes about 15 to 20 minutes and is generally done in a clinic. The IUI procedure doesn’t require any medications or pain relievers. Either a specialist or trained nurse performs the procedure.
Ø During the procedure
The patient will be asked to lie down with legs into stirrups and speculum is inserted inside the vaginal cavity. During the procedure, the specialist or nurse:
• Connect a vial containing the sperm sample to the end of a long, thin, flexible tube (catheter)
• Inserts the catheter into the vagina, through your cervical opening and further into your uterus
• Pushes the sperm sample through catheter into your uterus
• Take away the catheter, followed by the speculum
Ø After the procedure
After insemination, the patient will be asked to lie on their back for a short period. Once the procedure is over, they can proceed to normal daily activities. Some light spotting for a day or two can be expected after the procedure.
Follow-Up:
A week after ovulation, progesterone levels are often tested.
Progesterone support is often used for women with recurrent miscarriage
Additional Testing:
About two weeks after insemination, follow up blood testing determines if pregnancy has resulted.
The Aftermath
To successfully become pregnant, the sperm has to fertilize the egg. This can happen anywhere from a few hours to a day or two following IUI. Even if the egg is successfully fertilized, you won’t immediately feel any symptoms of pregnancy.
Chances Of Pregnancy
What are your overall odds of getting pregnant after the IUI procedure? That is an individual factor and no doctor can give you a definite yes or no answer and can fully or accurately estimate the likeliness of you getting pregnant.
Nonetheless, it is a good idea to ask your doctor some key questions to assess the chances of getting successfully pregnant. Those questions are:
1. What is your successful IUI treatment rate?
2. What is your success rate among cases of women like me?
3. What can increase my odds of getting pregnant?
4. What factors can decrease my chances of getting pregnant?
5. Is there anything I can do after the procedure to increase my chances of getting pregnant?
6. Are hormonal treatments helpful? Should we try them?
What Are The Factors That Increase Your Chances Of Pregnant?
• You are younger than 35.
• Your eggs as well as your partner or your donor’s sperms are healthy.
• You don’t have a history of three or more than three miscarriages.
• You do not have a luteal phase defect.
• You have a fertility issue that can easily be managed with hormone treatments.
• You do not have any chronic illnesses.
Here Are Some Of The Most Commonly Asked Questions (FAQ) About IUI’s And Their Answers:
What Are The Chances Of Getting Pregnant With The Iui Treatment?
Women have a 10-20 percent chance of getting pregnant with each IUI cycle. The more cycles a woman goes through, the better are the chances of her getting pregnant.
Is The IUI Procedure Painful?
The IUI procedure is not at all painful, many women compare the procedure to a pap smear. The procedure takes place at the doctor’s office or the fertility clinic and there is no pain during the procedure however some women feel mild cramping after the procedure.
How long does the whole process take from start to finish?
Women who undergo the IUI procedure usually have to have their ovaries stimulated beforehand to mature the eggs and take a trigger shot to release one egg. Then, the partner or donor sperm will be used for insemination to fertilize the eggs. This whole stimulation process can take about 10 days.
What to do and not to do after the IUI procedure?
Do not take medications not prescribed by your doctor. Many women suffer from pain and cramps after the procedure. In that case, take a pain relief medication prescribed by your doctor instead of self-medication as it might reduce the chances of fertilization.
Are There Chances Of Getting Twins And Triplets From The Procedure?
Yes. The ovulation-stimulating medications that are often given in IUI cycles may help the body produce multiple eggs that may release at the same time. If two (or more) are fertilized and implanted, twins are a possibility. This happens in about 10-20% of cases with the IUI procedure.
Are Multiple Iui’s Needed To Get Successfully Pregnant?
When a woman does not become pregnant after one IUI cycle, a minimum of 3 cycles is recommended to enhance the success rate.
How Much Time After The Treatment Does It Take To Find Out If You Are Pregnant Or Not?
7-12 days after the egg gets fertilized and the implantation cycle is complete.
Where is the sperm collected?
The sperm sample is collected through ejaculation into a sterile collection cup. The male partner or donor can choose to collect his sperm sample at home or at the doctor’s office. If the sperm sample is being sent by the sperm bank, it will be sent directly to the doctor.
When Is The Best Time To Do An IUI Procedure?
Ideally, an IUI procedure should be performed within 6 hours on either side of ovulation. If two consecutive IUI’s are scheduled, they are usually spaced at least a day apart.
Conclusion
So, in conclusion, IUI is one of the best as well as inexpensive procedures of infertility treatment for couples who couldn’t conceive through natural means.
