What is Intrauterine insemination (IUI)?

Intrauterine insemination (IUI)

IUI is a relatively simple, non-invasive, cheap & easily repeatable procedure. e in favour of IUI as a cost-effective treatment for unexplained and mild, moderate male factor subfertility.

(IUI) is a relatively simple, non-invasive, cheap & easily repeatable procedure used as treatment for unexplained and mild, moderate male factor subfertility. However, careful selection of the patient is important. It has become the first-line management in infertility. It is a simple technique that involves the deposition of a washed semen sample into the woman’s uterus around the time of ovulation. The rationale is to increase the density of both eggs and sperm near the site of fertilization. This increases the likelihood of pregnancy.

Indications for IUI Treatment

Unexplained Infertility.

Mild Male Factor Infertility.

Cervical Factor Infertility

Mild Endometriosis

Ejaculation problems-premature ejaculation,impotence

If Donor sperms are to be used in case of Azoospermia

Benefits of IUI

It is done at the optimal time around the rupture of the egg.

It overrides defects in the vagina and cervix eg vaginal infections.

It ensures the deposition of sperms at the correct place

It involves the use of the best washed, motile sperms in a sample.

It can be carried out with a fresh or a frozen sample.

IUI with Controlled Ovarian Hyperstimulation

Ovarian stimulation involves giving hormone medications either in the form of tablets or injections in order to produce multiple follicles. Usually the requirement is to produce 2-3 follicles in an IUI cycle so that more oocytes are available for fertilization. Gonadotropin injections may be used in an IUI cycle to enhance the development of required eggs. Use of such injections is dependent upon the cause(s) of the couple's infertility, their previous treatment history . Patients undergoing ovarian stimulation, are monitored through transvaginal ultrasounds and the follicle size is monitered

IUI success rates using Gonadotropins are usually higher than in non-medicated cycles due to increased egg production.However it may increase the risk of multiple gestation.

IUI Timing

IUI is planned around the time of ovulation. Once a woman's follicles mature 18-20mm, an injection of HCG is given to help ovulation, and IUI is planned around 40 to 42 hrs

IUI with Frozen sample

To couples who lead a very busy life and cannot be together for months or even years because of their careers ,IUI with a frozen sample can be done and couple can plan their pregnancy.

3-4 Semen samples of such husbands can be frozen and used whenever the wife wants to undergo an IUI cycle in her husband’s absence.

IUI with a frozen sample gives a lot of flexibility to couples and cannot be together.

The success of IUI

Success with IUI test depends on the cause of infertility i.e. the woman’s age, and total sperm count. If the count is good and the woman’s fallopian tubes are healthy and patent, conception rates for IUI and COH are approximately 15-20 % per cycle.

What next after IUI?

If no pregnancy is achieved after 4 IUI’s, our specialists may recommend more advanced reproductive therapies such as IVF,ICSI after analysing your problem.

Our infertility specialists carefully monitor all IUI cycles giving good success rate.

Get in touch with us for all your inquiries related to Infertility and IUI Treatment.