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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Neetu
Hi... m new to this site... actually i wanna to knw about IUI... is anybody had +ve pregnency after IUI ?? actually since yestrdy (my 2nd day of period) i am taking clomid 50mg for 5dys. and on 11sep12 will go for u/s & accordngly will move to my first IUI .. thats y m quite nervous about ... me nd my dh planning for baby now almost 4yrs & i am 32 nd dh is 33... AS per our doc. we both r perfect even we did all the tests but god of grace didnt find any problem.. m ovulating good nd eggs ferms well too almost 19mm - 22mm without the help of any shot/med. & my DH also has good swimmers :) now decided for the IUI hope this is mine month :) pls. send me some positivity... :) baby dust to all of us...
ramandeep
i ahd my fist iui in july all the test were clear and the doctor put me on 5 days clomid and hcg injection on the 9th day and done the iui on 10 and 11th day. i think it was early as the doctor has asked me about the ovolution pain but it was after 2 days of iui . now i am going to have my 2 nd iui in sep i am praying to god that to do all good. want to ask i am reading all the comments that do i need to do the iui on the 14 and 16 day
joana82
Im posting for myself and my girlfriend...were nervous. Were trying to have a baby IUI. And everything apparently checked out ok through the fertility clinic each time we went. She started clomid i dunno what days..and then on an ultrasound 8/3/12 we were told she had 12 eggs on each ovary..1 mature egg on the left and possibly 1 on the right we were then instructed to give an ovidrel injection the same night. Saturday 8/4/12 at 10am we went in for the IUI. We had 19.48 motile sperm according to the paperwork and the IUI went fine. Here it is now 8/8/12 and she has been taking progesterone suppositories and has been complaining of what she feels to be menstrual cramps. Im curious if this cramping is normal...is she implanting...or do you ladies think it didnt take and her "time" is coming. Im just asking so i can help and be more supportive. She has a pregnancy blood test on 8/20/12. She said she cant wait and has already purchased at home tests to take a few days prior to her test...im guessing i need advice..information so i can be the best i can be at home...thanks ladies
Dans74
I'm 37 and I already have 2 children from my first marriage and now I am remarried we want to have another but I know my age don't help all mine and his test came out fine so I started the fertility treatment and just got my first IUI 4 days ago with taking clomid and the trigger shot and I pray it works I am seeing a lot of people saying not on the first try but then I hear other things.I wish all of you luck .I will pray for all the woman out there trying.....
Twomama
Getting my first iui this month a lil nervous! Loads of baby dust to everyone!