IUI treatment is one of the best assisted reproductive technologies. IUI treatment is highly affordable, has a success rate, less invasive, and easy to perform. There are other assisted reproductive technologies also that are quite common among people searching for alternate conceiving methods to the natural one. The other technologies are In-vitro fertilization(IVF), Gamete intrafallopian transfer(GIFT), and Zygote Intrafallopian Transfer(ZIFT).
Based on the reasons for infertility, infertility experts suggest the technique of artificial insemination that best suits the person. There are many stories of the success of assisted reproductive technologies, and if you are trying to make one of yours then read the blog.
Top Things About ZIFT And IUI Treatment Before Opting For One
What is Zygote Intrafallopian Transfer(ZIFT)?
Zygote intrafallopian gamete transfer is an assisted reproductive technology that was first used in 1986 to help infertile people to have children. ZIFT is a hybrid technique derived from the combination of In- vitro fertilization(IVF) and Gamete intrafallopian transfer(GIFT) techniques of artificial insemination. Although the relatively high success rate of ZIFT is close to that of IVF, it is not as popular as IVF due to its cost and more invasive technique. However, some patients prefer ZIFT because it is more natural. After all, the fertilized egg cell, the zygote, is put into the woman’s body for implantation much earlier than IVF.
To be a suitable candidate for ZIFT, the female must have at least one healthy fallopian tube for an infertility expert to implant the zygote.
The Procedure of ZIFT Treatment
The entire ZIFT process takes about four weeks, including a period where the patient has to have hormone therapy for the first time called hypersecretion. With ovulation, the infertility expert will use fertility drugs like Clomid to stimulate the ovaries to produce some mature eggs. Clomid will increase the amount of follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone in the female. These are the two hormones necessary for the maturation of egg cells. If Clomid is not enough to stimulate egg maturation, the infertility expert may also give the patient intravenous FSH and LH to supplement oral Clomid for more aggressive hormone therapy.
The process of ZIFT has some similarities with the IUI treatment but the differences are more.
When hormone treatment helps produce some mature eggs in the ovaries, the infertility expert extracts them through a non-invasive procedure called vaginal oocyte retrieval. This same technique is used with IVF and GIFT. For vaginal retrieval, a thin ultrasound-guided needle is inserted through the vaginal wall and into the ovary to remove some of the mature eggs. Then shortly before implantation, the infertility expert collects sperm from the male partner or a donor by masturbation in a collection condom. In case the male partner has an obstruction that prevents normal ejaculation of sperm by surgical methods then surgery is practiced.
Once the sperm and eggs are prepared, the infertility expert allows the sperm to fertilize the eggs in a petri dish either naturally or manually with a procedure called Intracytoplasmic sperm injection(ICSI). If there is a male fertility problem such as low sperm count, high concentration of misshapen sperm, or low motility of sperm, then ICSI is a good procedure to use in conjunction with ZIFT. With ICSI, in-vitro conditions sperm is directly injected into the egg. This is carried out in a petri dish to enhance the success rate of fertilization.
After in vitro fertilization, the infertility expert monitors the fertilized eggs for about twenty-four hours until cell division begins. With ZIFT, the infertility expert then implants the zygote into the fallopian tube. This is different from IVF, where the expert waits for the fertilized egg to divide into eight cells before implanting it in the uterus. The location where the doctor implants the developing embryo depends on the stage of development of the embryo and thus models the path that the developing embryo would follow after natural conception.
During ZIFT, the infertility expert places one to four zygotes into the fallopian tubes with a surgical technique called laparoscopy; this is an invasive procedure that uses a small abdominal incision, unlike IVF, where the expert places the 8-cell embryo through the cervix and inserts them into the uterus. The zygote then travels down the fallopian tube and hopes to implant in the uterine wall.
In a healthy young female, the probability of the fertilized egg implanting in the uterine wall and resulting in pregnancy is about 32-36%. The number of zygotes the doctor places in the fallopian tube will depend on the patient’s age and preference. The older the female, the more difficult it is for pregnancy to occur.
ZIFT is suitable for following Infertility conditions
- Fallopian tube blockage
- Damage in Fallopian tube
- Uterine problems
- When sperm cannot fertilize eggs on its own.
- Unexplained infertility
Advantages of ZIFT
Fertilized eggs
ZIFT is more reassuring than IUI treatment because the infertility expert confirms that the eggs have been fertilized before placing them in the fallopian tubes.
Natural Implantation
ZIFT allows a developing embryo to travel into the womb on its own, which may be of interest to you if you want your baby to develop as naturally as possible.
No link to cancer
Recent studies have shown that there is no link between fertility drugs that induce ovulation and cancer. Early studies suggested that exposure to fertility drugs could lead to a higher risk of ovarian cancer or other cancers of the female reproductive system.
Cons of ZIFT
Expensive
ZIFT includes expensive laboratory work, drugs, and surgery. It is far costlier than the IUI procedure.
Time-consuming
Monitoring fertility drugs takes a lot of time, and visits to the clinic for blood tests and ultrasounds are frequent.
Hard to find
There are only a few infertility clinics which ZIFT treatment as compared to IUI treatment. As it involves more complicated procedures and even surgeries.
Requires surgery
Unlike IVF, the transfer of zygotes into the fallopian tubes requires invasive surgery.
The chances of multiple babies are high
Because more zygotes are usually carried into the fallopian tubes, you are likely to have twins or more. Although many couples see this as a blessing, carrying more fetuses increases the risk of miscarriage and other complications.
Other health risks
As with IVF, women taking ZIFT have a higher risk of giving birth to premature babies or babies with low birth weight. If your body responds too well to fertility drugs, you may develop ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome. And while all ART treatments have a higher risk of ectopic pregnancy, the risk is higher with ZIFT than with IVF.
It may not work
Your treatment may fail if you develop Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome(OHSS) or if you do not grow enough follicles needed for ZIFT.
How costly is ZIFT?
ZIFT treatment costs approximately between Rs.4 lakhs to Rs.5 lakhs. As compared to IUI treatment it is very costly and not affordable to everyone.
What is IUI treatment?
IUI stands for Intrauterine insemination. It is a type of Assisted Reproductive Technology(ART). With the help of washed sperms collected from the male partner or a sperm donor through masturbation, eggs are fertilized inside the female body. The sperms are directly injected into the uterus through IUI treatment instead of passing through the hostile mucus in the cervix to reach the uterus as is the case in the natural processes.
Who is suitable for IUI?
- The male partner has a low sperm count
- Male partner’s sperm motility is low
- In cases of unexplained infertility
- Unfavorable cervical mucus
- Cervical scars
- Unbearable pain during intercourse
- Issues in ejaculation
- Problems in erection
- STDs like HIV or Hepatitis in either of the partner
- Irregular ovulation cycle
- Single functional fallopian tube
IUI treatment step by step procedure
Stimulate the growth of eggs
The very first step in the IUI procedure is the stimulation of eggs. The female partner begins to take oral or injectable drugs to stimulate the growth and maturation of her eggs. The injections are given just under the skin and are recommended in an area of the body that is high in fat, such as the stomach or upper thigh. Oral medications are taken for 5 days and injectable medications are usually taken for 8 to 12 days depending on the response of the ovaries.
Ultrasound and blood monitoring
While you are taking injectable medicines, brief ultrasound appointments are needed every 2-3 days to monitor the development of the ovaries and eggs for the IUI treatment. To assess hormone levels related to egg growth and ovarian function blood tests are taken. Thanks to these tests and this follow-up, infertility experts make sure that everything runs safely.
Induced Ovulation
Once a mature egg is present, a female receives a “trigger” which causes ovulation within about 36 hours. Injections are given by a trained nurse at the fertility clinic and if performed at home then is taken by self.
Processed semen sample
The male partner provides a semen sample or a donor semen sample is used and then processed by the laboratory. During preparation, the semen sample is “washed” to remove debris, immobile sperm, and substances in the semen that could cause severe cramps, and to make the sperm are highly concentrated in a small volume to increase the success rate of IUI treatment.
Insemination procedure
Much like a routine pelvic exam, a woman lies on an examination table. The semen sample is injected into the uterus using a thin, long, and flexible catheter. The whole IUI treatment process is painless and only takes a few seconds. Getting up soon after the procedure will not impact the chances of pregnancy. In some cases, insemination is highly recommended two days in a row; however, in most cases, one well-planned insemination is all that is needed in each cycle of IUI treatment.
Follow-up
One week after ovulation, progesterone levels are often tested. For some females, additional hormonal support may be suggested to help prepare the uterus lining for pregnancy. Progesterone support is often used for women who have recurrent miscarriages.
Additional tests
These are taken to monitor the progress of IUI treatment. About two weeks after insemination, follow-up blood tests determine if there has been pregnancy.
Pros of IUI treatment
- For many couples, IUI is the first step of infertility treatment because it is less invasive and less expensive than other assisted reproduction technology treatments, such as IVF, ZIFT, GIFT.
- Couples with male infertility issues have an easier time conceiving using IUI than simply timing intercourse.
- With the IUI procedure, couples with unexplained fertility problems generally have better results than with fertility drugs alone.
- This procedure allows fertilization to occur naturally inside the female’s body.
Cons of IUI procedure
- The use of fertility drugs is associated with a greater chance of conceiving two or more children, and wearing multiples are considered a high-risk pregnancy. If a female uses a fertility drug to induce ovulation before an IUI, the chances of having twins are about 10 percent. If she uses gonadotropins to produce more eggs, then the chances of conceiving are about 30 percent.
- With gonadotropins, there is a 10 to 20 percent chance of developing a mild form of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, a condition in which the ovaries temporarily enlarge and fluid leaks into the abdomen. It can feel uncomfortable but usually disappears quickly without treatment. Gonadotropins cause severe OHSS in 1 percent of cycles. These cases usually require hospitalization.
Cost of IUI procedure
The cost per cycle of IUI is very less compared to the cost of ZIFT. It is Rs.10 thousand per cycle including the medications and tests.
IUI treatment and ZIFT treatment are different types of Assisted Reproductive Technologies(ART). There are many reasons for infertility and some cases of infertility are unexplained. It is of huge importance that one should consult a qualified infertility expert to decide which infertility technique is best for their cause. Subhag is a trusted infertility clinic with many records of successful IUI pregnancies.
