Intrauterine Insemination (IUI)
What is IUI (Intrauterine insemination) or AI (Artificial Insemination)?
IUI or AI involves the injection of a sample of prepared sperm from a partner or donor into the woman’s uterine cavity around the time of ovulation.
Who is IUI suitable for?
IUI is recommended only if the woman has functioning fallopian tubes, preferably confirmed by saline infusion sonography, and if the man’s semen analysis is normal. It may be useful for women who have cervical mucus hostility and in some cases of unexplained infertility.
What does IUI involve?
The chance of success with IUI is enhanced if insemination is combined with ovulation induction using small doses of fertility drugs. Oral medication or hormone injections are used to stimulate the ovaries and an ultrasound is used to monitor follicle development. The insemination is timed to take place 36-40 hours after administration of another hormone injection which triggers ovulation.
On the day of the planned insemination, the husband/ partner provides a semen sample. A concentrated preparation of motile sperm is extracted from the semen sample in the laboratory. The sperm preparation is placed into the uterine cavity by the doctor/ fertility nurse by means of a fine catheter inserted through the cervix. In general, IUI is a painless procedure, which takes only a few minutes.IUI using donor sperm?
IUI is also carried out using the sperm of an identifiable donor (IUI-D) in couples where there is significant male factor infertility involved, in same sex couples and single women.
Is IUI successful?
Yes, for some couples, IUI is a very effective form of treatment provided that the man’s sperm and the woman’s tubes are healthy. The success rates for IUI are generally around 10-15% per cycle.
Can IUI help me fall pregnant?
To find out whether IUI can help you fall pregnant, please book an appointment with a Sims IVF fertility specialist or contact us.
