INTRAUTERINE INSEMINATION (IUI)

This is a novel procedure which involves the collection of semen (sperm) in a laboratory followed by washing and cleaning of sperms. The dead and immotile sperms along with the debris are removed from the sample. The remaining best quality sperms are aseptically injected into the intrauterine cavity using a special cannula in the operation theatre. The procedure of IUI is preceded by controlled ovarian stimulation or superovulation (This procedure involves stimulation of the ovaries to produce several follicles in contrast to COS where only one or 2 follicles are stimulated). In normal cases the success rates of IUI are 10 to 15% in each cycle. Hence several cycles of IUI may be required for optimum results.

What Is Intrauterine Insemination?

Intrauterine insemination (IUI) is a procedure that promises to bring the sperm and the egg closer together than would typically be possible in natural circumstances. It is a process in which concentrated motile sperm collected from the male partner are injected directly into the female partner’s uterus. By timing the procedure to coincide with ovulation, IUI attempts to bring the sperm and the egg in close proximity to each other, potentially resulting in a union. IUI is a favorable treatment, especially in cases where the male partner has been diagnosed with low sperm reserves, or the female partner suffers from endometriosis or ovulatory dysfunction.

Why Choose Intrauterine Insemination?

Intrauterine insemination (IUI) presents a shorter journey between the sperm and the egg, automatically eliminating any obstructions on the way.

Suitability for Him

IUI is a fitting solution for men with low sperm reserves or low sperm motility. Our fertility specialists handpick only the best sperm, carefully releasing them into the uterus during the fertile window. After arriving inside the uterus, the sperm wait by the fallopian tubes, in anticipation of the egg.

Suitability for Her

Women with hormonal conditions such as endometriosis or polycystic ovary syndrome often struggle with ovulation. For women whose ovulatory cycles tend to vacillate, IUI is a recommended treatment method. IUI charts the journey of an egg through continual monitoring, perfectly timing the insertion of the sperm with the readiness of the egg.

Is Intrauterine Insemination Right for Me?

IUI is an effective treatment for many couples, provided certain prerequisites are fulfilled. For instance, the treatment is not normally advisable for women with blocked fallopian tubes, as the injected sperm may never have access to the egg in such cases. Additionally, IUI may not prove fruitful for older women, women with poor egg reserves and those with severe cases of endometriosis. In complex cases like these, in vitro fertilisation may be favoured over IUI.

What Are the Steps of Intrauterine Insemination?

Intrauterine insemination (IUI) is a simple, swift and painless procedure that holds a candle to a pap smear, in terms of experience.

Step 1. Ovulation Stimulation

Although IUI can be timed with a woman’s natural ovulatory cycle, ovulation is usually induced through medication when the natural ovulatory graph is askew.

Step 2. Semen Procurement

On the run up to ovulation, a semen sample is procured from the male partner. To optimise the quality of the semen, sexual abstinence for about five days, preceding the sample collection, is recommended.

Step 3. Sperm Processing

After we have collected the semen sample, our fertility crew expertly cures the semen in a laboratory. This involves separating the sperm from other components of the seminal fluid to augment its composition and density.

Step 4. Cervical Cleansing

As an ovarian follicle nears maturity, the stage is almost set for the IUI procedure. IUI is usually performed on the day of ovulation after the vagina is lightly cleansed with the aid of a beak-shaped device known as a speculum.

Step 5. Insemination

The final step in the series of procedures leading up to IUI is the insemination itself. Here, a processed sample containing only superior quality, motile sperm is inserted into the uterine cavity, through a fine, lightweight tube, called a catheter.

What are the Risks of Intrauterine Insemination?

The risks associated with intrauterine insemination (IUI) are generally byproducts of the ovulation-inducing medications prescribed in preparation for the insemination, rather than the IUI process itself.

Multiple Births

The fertility medications that are often administered during an IUI cycle sometimes stimulate the ovaries to produce more than one egg. This could consequently lead to multiple births if both eggs are fertilized and implanted.

Other Symptoms

IUI could also potentially lead to hot flashes, mood swings, headaches, and nausea. However, these symptoms are almost always mild, receding soon after a course of medication is withdrawn. If performed inadequately, IUI could herald serious complications, such as ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome and ovarian cysts. We personalize every IUI procedure in keeping with a guest’s medical record. We assess every minute medical detail before prescribing even a simple treatment.