Intrauterine Insemination
Check out our section on IUI Procedure, IUI Risks and IUI Ovulation Inducing Drugs for all the information you need about IUI.
One of the oldest infertility treatments, methods of artificial insemination have constantly been improved since its introduction in the 1900s. The name itself has been updated to intrauterine insemination or IUI. This treatment is good for couples with unexplained infertility, women with cervical mucus problems, or men with some sperm deficiencies.
The Simple Way
Before the insemination process takes place, it’s a good idea for you to be examined to make sure there are no structural problems like a blockage, infections or a hormonal imbalance that could affect your ability to ovulate. Some women may also take ovulation-stimulating medications, although this is not necessary for all women.
Learn more about IUI As A Fertility Treatment
Insemination occurs about 24 to 36 hours after the LH surge is detected. For women using fertility medications, insemination will likely take place shortly after you receive an hCG injection to help start ovulation. Your partner will need to provide a semen sample the day insemination is to take place.
Before insemination occurs, the semen sample is first prepared through a process known as "washing." Washing allows your doctor to separate the most motile sperm and put high concentrations together in small volumes. This process also helps to eliminate any potentially dangerous toxins found in your partner’s sperm.
If your partner’s sperm count is too low, you can also use a sperm donor. In these instances, the sperm will be sent to your doctor’s office already prepared for insemination by the sperm bank. Once the sperm is ready, a catheter (a small tube) will be used to place the sperm directly into your uterus.
The actual insemination procedure doesn’t take more than an hour and requires no anesthesia. However, women using ovulation-stimulating medications will require close monitoring in the week or two leading up to insemination. Through regular blood tests and ultrasounds, your doctor will be able to monitor the maturation of your egg follicles.
IUI Success Rates
Success with IUI tends to vary from person to person and is dependent upon a variety of factors including a woman’s age, quality of her partner’s sperm, and past history of pregnancy. Additionally, women who use fertility drugs have a better chance of getting pregnant than those women who don’t use any fertility medications. On average, though, IUI success rates range between 5% and 25%.
Women who use fertility medications may also find that they have an increased chance of a multiple pregnancy. Since these drugs encourage more than one egg to mature every month, it is not unusual for a woman to conceive twins or possibly more when combined with IUI.
Pros and Cons
Many couples prefer using this infertility treatment to ART. Not only is the procedure much simpler than ART methods, such as IVF, but it is also cheaper. Prices average between $300 and $700 per cycle but can be more depending on where you live and where you receive treatment. Additionally, using a sperm donor can increase the price.
Getting the timing right is one of the keys to making this treatment effective. Inseminating too early or too late can prevent fertilization from taking place. Also, IUI may not be as reliable as some other fertility treatments. Many couples try for three, four or even more cycles before achieving a pregnancy or deciding to try something else.
However, techniques are always improving and some new studies have suggested that IUI may be just as effective as IVF. Often, IUI is recommended as the first course of action for infertile couples. There are also fewer risks to a woman’s health associated with IUI.
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TTC 3 1/2 years unexplained. Started Clomid days 3-7, trigger shot day 14, First IUI today, day 16 (36 hours) after trigger. Praying for BFP in 2 weeks.
Hello, I am new to this but I wanted to share what my partner and I are going through right now with our iui procedure. As of April 25, 2015 at 7:30pm I gave myself my first shot of Ovidrel, I am scheduled to come in office on Sunday April 27th approximately 36 hrs after I gave myself the shot, I was wondering if that timing seems right by everyone who's already experienced on TTC by iui. But fingers are crossed and prayers are going up that 2weeks from insemination day we get a BFP...
My partner and I are on day 8 tww after the iui this wait is ridiculously difficult.symptoms so far are cramping and gas.other that nothing else we take out pregnancy test on the 2nd of march.praying its positive ????
Hi so I'm new to this. On Feb 5 we did our 2 iui the first one I was cramping really bad to the point I couldn't get out of bed but this time I haven't had any. Is this normal?
I'm gonna start saying that today I'm doing the IUI but it has being a long process for me to get to this point My period came when I was 13 everything was normal I've never had sex with anyone never took birth control pills "Nothing" I got married with my husband 2010 now we are 2014 , after my 18 birthday when I moved to USA back in 2004 , in 2005 I was having troubles with my period "never came down " the same again because I gained 200 pounds I've never being SO FAT in my life ! So that messed up my period and was not the same since then , well I went to different doctors but the hospital I was going to was catholic "the don't prescribed birth control pills" they never solved my problem, but they did performed tests and biopsies to find out if I was having issues , I went to a GYN doctor in DR back in 2011he told me I got poliquist ovaries , after that I came back didn't do nothing about it , months passed , but my husband lived in my country I wasn't having as much inter course to get pregnant , then he came July 2011 he was transferred to the same company he used to work over there ... They gave me good ensurance so last year 2013 I started looking for infertility doctor I found her "Dr Patricia Hughes " Hackensack NJ she made so many blood test to find out if I had any infertility problems , all types of hepatitis all kinds of blood work you can imagine my ensurance paid over 2,000 she also got results from the clinic I used to go too to find out about hormones and thyroids etc . Two months ago finally lost like 10 pounds I didn't have any cysts because I was taking something else from my country a lady prepared to make me pregnant but of Course I was going to the professionals , finally she brough my period down last month , after my period she gave me 5 pills everyday called Letrozle that's like a trigger to make the eggs grow faster 2.0 mil I was going for blood work ultrasound we decided I was going for IUI because my eggs were not growing by themselves "it didn't work " the dosis was too low and I was missing estrogens I was so disappointed so she said was to late and she gave me 5 more days with "CLOMIDPHENE" 50ml I DIDNT WORK either ! BUT this month , my period came down I forgot to say that she brough my period down with 5 pills totally different from Letrozole ' before my period she gave me birth control pills to help me with the hormones I was missing "well I took them 8 days " then my period came down , then I took CLOMIDPHENE higher dosis 100m 2 pills per 5 says , people it worked I have a big egg in my left ovary and today I'm doing the IUI I will keep you posted about it after today I have to wait 2 weeks to find out if I'm pregnant I'm so excited couldn't sleep well last night I'm so nervous me and my husband soooooooo wish to have a baby "my ensurance doesn't cover the Insemination " so I'm paying about of my pockets is not too expensive if you are afraid of that don't BE!! You are going to be surprised with how cheap it is LOL I will definitely come back and SHARE I'm very positive all the time I trust in God I know he will help me have this baby and if is a boy I will name him JESUS ????