Intrauterine Insemination (IUI), also known as artificial insemination, is a non-invasive method of assisted reproduction. The procedure is simple, easy to perform, does not require a lot of effort from the couple, and is less expensive than advanced procedures like IVF and ICSI.
IUI is generally recommended for couples with a good ovarian reserve and sperm parameters but with associated issues such as PCOS, minimal endometriosis, borderline sperm counts and motility, and unexplained infertility.
Did you know?The success rate of IUI procedure varies between 15% and 20% per cycle. |
Keen on knowing about the IUI treatment procedure? Here you go!
Having an intrauterine insemination cycle often entails taking medication to stimulate the ovaries to produce eggs, then directly injecting processed sperms / sample into the uterus at the time of ovulation using a simple technique. We’d like to walk/ take you through the entire procedure, so you know what to expect.
IUI Procedure – Step by Step
Stimulating egg growth
To stimulate the growth and maturation of her eggs, the woman begins taking oral or injectable medication. The injections are administered just beneath the skin (subcutaneously) and are recommended for areas of the body with excess fat, such as the stomach or the top of the thigh.
Oral medication is typically administered for 5 days, while the injectable medication is administered for 8-12 days, depending on how the ovaries respond.
Ultrasound and blood tests
Brief ultrasound appointments every 2-3 days are required while you are on injectable medication. This is done to monitor if the development of follicles (containing eggs) and the ovaries are on track.
Furthermore, blood tests are also performed to determine hormone levels associated with egg growth and ovarian function. We ensure that everything is going smoothly by testing and monitoring.
Inducing ovulation
When a mature follicle/ “ripe” egg is found, a patient is given a “trigger shot,” which causes ovulation within 36 hours. The shot is administered by a nurse at the clinic or the patient at home.
Sperm Sample Processing: Either the male partner’s semen sample is processed or a donor sperm sample is thawed and processed by the laboratory. The sperm sample is “washed” during preparation to remove debris, immobile sperm, and substances in the sperm that could cause severe cramping, and the sperm cells are highly concentrated into a small volume.
Insemination
During the insemination procedure, the woman lies on the exam table, just as she would for a routine pelvic exam.
Then, a thin, long, flexible catheter is used to inject the sperm sample into the uterus. The entire procedure is painless and takes only a few seconds / minutes to complete. Getting up soon after the procedure has no effect on your chances of becoming pregnant. The insemination may be recommended two days in a row on occasion, but in most cases, a single well-timed insemination is all that is required in each cycle.
Follow-up
Progesterone levels are frequently measured a week after ovulation. Additional hormone support (such as progesterone) may be recommended for some patients to help prepare the uterine lining for pregnancy. Progesterone replacement therapy is frequently used also for women who have recurrent miscarriages.
Additional Examination: Follow-up blood testing two weeks after insemination determines whether or not a pregnancy has occurred.
The pregnancy test
This is the final step in the IUI process. It is usually performed 14 days after direct implantation into the uterus. Finally, this test determines whether the treatment was successful or not. This test is performed at least two weeks after the procedure. If the result is negative, the patient should contact the doctor and repeat the procedure.
Find unmatched IUI treatment at Zivia IVF
Zivia IVF thrives on redefining infertility or IVF treatment based on your time, comfort, well-being, and eventually gives best success rates. Our clinic has a homey feel, which helps us bridge the gap between patients and infertility specialists.
We are well-equipped with cutting-edge assisted reproductive technologies and offer advanced fertility treatments like LAH, Blastocyst Transfer, Cryopreservation, Egg Freezing, and many more. We are also known for having the most advanced versions of standard in-vitro treatments, such as ICSI, IMSI, and PICSI, which help achieve maximum success even in the most difficult cases of male infertility.
Get in touch to avail more details.