What Is Intrauterine Insemination
The process of intrauterine insemination (IUI) involves inserting sperm into the womb to coincide with ovulation to increase the chance of conception. This treatment can be used where there is infertility that can’t be readily explained, or if problems with ovulation are identified.
The infertility may also be caused by a low sperm count in the man.
Sometimes it might be that sperm are finding it difficult to swim through the cervical mucus or that the woman’s antibodies attack and kill the sperm. Other explanations might be the man experiencing impotence or premature ejaculation. e. removing the seminal fluid they swim in ready for the next stage. Sperm that have been collected and washed are then put into a catheter ready for insertion into the womb.
The Intrauterine Insemination procedure is usually quite painless and the worst that could happen is mild cramps like those felt during the monthly period. On rare occasions, getting the catheter into the cervix can be a little uncomfortable but normally the physician will give some painkillers to help.
Often with Intrauterine Insemination, fertility drugs are needed to promote ovulation and if these are required, the doctor will prescribe an injection or spray that is inhaled. The egg is released using a hormone injection once it is mature and the chosen sperm is inserted with a catheter, 36 to 40 hours afterwards. A short period of rest is normally required after the procedure which only takes a small number of minutes.
All sperm is tested for hepatitis and HIV if the donor sperm has been supplied at the clinic where the treatment takes place. Fresh donor sperm that is used in home insemination treatments cannot be guaranteed free for these infections.
The success rate using Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) is only 15 per cent per treatment and that is only when the woman’s tubes and the man’s sperm are healthy. For unexplained infertility, Intrauterine Insemination is usually the first line of treatment, but this can be followed by In Vitro Fertilization if it’s unsuccessful. Unfortunately the more a woman ages the less fertile they become, and like other fertility treatments, IUI is no different.
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