Proper Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) Guide for Infertile Patients

If you’re here, you may be deciding whether intrauterine insemination (IUI) is the right option for you or not.

Infertility can be difficult and frustrating for couples trying to have a baby. Fortunately, there are treatments that can improve your chances of getting pregnant. One of these is intrauterine insemination (IUI). This blog will explain the IUI process step by step, so you know what to expect.

A type of artificial insemination called IUI involves injecting sperm directly into your uterus at the time of ovulation. This technique can use sperm from a donor or your partner.

We will discuss the IUI procedure, how it is beneficial for fertility treatment, and how an IUI treatment centre can help.

1. How does it work?

Intrauterine insemination (IUI) involves inserting washed and concentrated sperm directly into a woman’s uterus at the time of ovulation. The procedure usually works like this:

• Egg Production

Whether it is natural or induced by fertility drugs, in IUI egg production is important. Females usually release only one egg a month, but in such a case, fertility drugs can be given to produce several healthy eggs at once to increase the chances of pregnancy.

• Pay Attention to Eggs

It is also very important to take care of ovulation, as it is essential to inseminate at the right time, which determines the success rate of the treatment.

• Picking Sperm

The high-quality sperms are separated from the sperm sample, whether taken from a partner or a donor, meaning that the excellent sperm are concentrated together in a very small amount of fluid.

• Get Pregnant

A thin and long tube, known as a catheter, is used to insert the concentrated or better sperm directly into the uterus.

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• Test for Success

About two weeks after insemination, a pregnancy test is done to check if the procedure was successful.

1. For Men

As far as men are concerned, the sperm they are contributing to the process is their sperm, which must be healthy. They may have to provide multiple samples to collect healthy sperm for conception. If the sperm count, movement, or structure is too low, intrauterine insemination will not work.

2. For Women

For women, it’s not as easy. They need to keep track of their menstrual cycle and ovulation. They may need to take medication and may need a long tube implanted instead of the natural method. IUI is less likely to be successful for women over 40.

Read Also:- Difference Between IUI and IVF

2. When to Choose IUI Treatment

IUI is mainly for surrogacy or lesbian couples. It also provides primary treatment in cases where the woman is unable to conceive due to obvious or unclear factors, such as:

• Sterility
• Cervical sores or other disparities
• Unable to orgasm
• Ejaculation or Erection Problem
• HIV
• Semen allergy cases

• Does IUI make the process painful?

This procedure may seem painful, but it really isn’t. Some women experience mild cramping, but for most women, it’s similar to the discomfort experienced during a Pap smear test.

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3. Can IUI be successful?

Choosing the right time for artificial insemination is as important as the quality of the sperm and the egg. Insemination must be timed carefully, as it occurs slightly before the time of ovulation. It is important to note here that the female eggs are viable only for 12-24 hours after ovulation. 

As long as the eggs are viable, IUI is within this period. All efforts must be made because if the timing is taken care of successfully, it can double the chances of a successful pregnancy.

4. IUI Success Rate

The success rate depends on several factors, of which the most important are the woman’s age and the exact nature of the couple’s fertility problem. 

According to research, the pregnancy rate in couples with unexplained infertility is about 4 to 5 percent per cycle. In cases where fertility drugs are used, this increases to about 7 to 16 percent.

5. How Soon After Can I Do a Pregnancy Test?

One should wait at least 2 weeks after IUI before taking a pregnancy test to confirm whether the pregnancy is successful or not, but pregnancy symptoms can be monitored after IUI treatment.

6. IUI Aftercare

You can control what happens after IUI to some extent, which increases your chances of success. After the procedure, the best IUI centre recommends complete rest for about 5 days to preserve the body’s energy for conception. Heavy exercise is prohibited, and during this time, stay positive and imagine a successful pregnancy!

How long does IUI take?

The process of insemination takes only a few minutes, but it takes a lot of time to plan. Fertility drugs have to be used a week before ovulation. Because success is not completely assured in IUI the cycle needs to be done several times. It is advisable to undergo IVF after one or two unsuccessful IUIs. It is recommended after three cycles, especially for women over 35 years of age.

Read Also This Blog:- How Age Affects IVF Success: Facts and Figures

Advantages and Disadvantages of IUI 

Intrauterine insemination (IUI), also known as artificial insemination, offers several advantages and disadvantages. Let’s learn about these in detail:

Advantages of IUI

• Less invasive: Compared to other fertility treatments like IVF, IUI is simpler, involving only the procedure of inserting sperm into the uterus.
• Cost-effective: IUI is generally more affordable than IVF, making it available to more couples.
• Quick procedure: The IUI procedure is quite quick and usually takes just a few minutes to complete.
• Minimal discomfort: The procedure causes minimal discomfort, similar to a Pap smear.
• Natural cycle access: IUI can be performed during a woman’s natural ovulation cycle, with or without minimal medication, reducing the need for multiple hormonal treatments.
• Suitable for various causes of infertility: IUI is useful for couples with unexplained infertility, mild male factor infertility, or problems related to cervical mucus.

Disadvantages of IUI

• Lower success rate: IUI success rates are generally lower than IVF, especially for couples with serious infertility problems.
• May require multiple cycles: It may take several IUI attempts before pregnancy occurs, which can increase the time and emotional investment.
• Risk of multiple pregnancies: When combined with medications that stimulate ovulation, IUI may increase the chance of having multiple babies (such as twins or triplets). This can increase health risks for both the mother and the baby.
• Not suitable for all infertility problems: IUI is not effective for women whose fallopian tubes are damaged or who have serious endometriosis. It is also not effective for couples with male infertility, where sperm quality is extremely low.
• Emotional stress: The repeated cycles and waiting periods during IUI can cause considerable emotional stress and anxiety for couples.
• Mild discomfort or complications: Although the procedure is generally simple, it may cause some discomfort, such as mild cramping, and in rare cases, there may be a risk of infection.

What are the complications?

The success rate is not very high, and the process is natural after a healthy sperm is inserted into the woman’s uterus, so there are not many complications. However, there is a possibility of developing an infection in the uterus or fallopian tubes due to germs transmitted through semen samples, catheters, or other instruments. So it should be done in a reputed medical center that is hygienic and cleans the cervix before the insemination procedure.

Another major concern for women who have this condition is that it increases the risk of having multiple pregnancies, twins, triplets, or more. Multiple pregnancies can pose serious health risks to both the mother and the baby. Multiple babies are more likely to be born prematurely or die before or after delivery. Such pregnancies are also usually high-risk.

If you have any fertility-related issues, then contact the IVF centre in Lucknow without wasting a single moment.