What Is IUI?
Intrauterine insemination (IUI) is a fertility treatment that places specially-prepared sperm directly into a woman’s uterus to help fertilize her eggs. IUI is also known as “artificial insemination.” It’s often a first step for couples experiencing infertility issues or in cases where donor sperm is used. The timing is critical and revolves around the woman’s menstrual/ovulation cycle.
IUI is also popular with single women or LGBTQ couples seeking to start a family using partner or donor sperm. But what’s involved with IUI? As one of the best fertility clinics with the best fertility doctors, we’re happy to provide answers you can trust. Please keep reading to learn more.
IUI is often the first, fairly easy treatment for people dealing with infertility. Here’s an overview of the process:
1. Ovulation Monitoring and Results
IUI treatment starts with monitoring the woman’s ovulation cycle. If she’s not producing enough potentially viable eggs, taking prescribed fertility medications like Clomid or gonadotropins can help. They stimulate the ovaries to produce multiple eggs, and more eggs mean more chances for fertilization. After all, it only takes a single fertilized egg to become pregnant!
2. Sperm Collection and Preparation
Male Factor Infertility (MFI) is often overlooked as an infertility issue. MFI factors include a low sperm count, the sperm are not strong swimmers (motility), or are oddly shaped. To address this potential roadblock, sperm is collected from the male partner or a sperm donor. A trained embryologist then “washes” the sperm in a petri dish to concentrate the most active sperm and remove seminal fluid and other impurities.
3. Insemination
When the timing is optimal for fertilization, a fertility doctor or qualified nurse practitioner places the prepared sperm into a thin catheter and inserts it through the cervix into the uterus. The procedure is usually quick, taking only a few minutes, and is relatively painless. The process makes it much easier for the sperm to travel to the patient’s fallopian tubes, where, hopefully, fertilization occurs.
4. Post-Insemination
Immediately following the procedure, standard protocol is for the woman to lie down for a short period to allow the sperm to move toward the fallopian tubes. Some women might experience mild cramping or spotting afterward.
5. Waiting Period
There is a two-week waiting period after the IUI process before taking a pregnancy test. This time allows for the potential fertilization of the egg and implantation in the uterus.
6. Pregnancy Test
After two weeks, the patient has a blood test at the clinic to determine the procedure’s success. It’s not uncommon for patients to use home pregnancy tests, but they are not always accurate. It’s best to rely on blood tests performed by fertility professionals. If the results are negative, don’t worry, it is not unusual to have several IUI cycles.
Who Might Benefit from IUI?
- Ongoing, unexplained infertility issues
- Male Factor Infertility
- Cervical mucus problems that block the sperm’s path to the uterus
- People using sperm donors, including LGBTQ couples or single women.
Risks and Considerations
For many patients, IUI is the first procedural step to address their infertility challenges. It is minimally invasive and less expensive than fertility treatments like In vitro fertilization (IVF). While generally safe, risks include multiple pregnancies or mild ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) due to fertility drugs. As with any medical procedure, there is a small risk of infection.
In Summary
Being unable to conceive is extremely frustrating for people wanting to start a family. If enough time passes without success, it’s advisable to seek help from the best fertility clinics with the best fertility doctors. A simple solution may be to undergo an IUI procedure for a few cycles and let nature take its course. At the Incinta Fertility Center, there are other options and treatments available, but for many couples and individuals, IUI is the best place to start.
Author’s note: Allison is not an actual IFC patient, but her story is quite common.
