Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) - Artificial Insemination

What is Intrauterine Insemination (IUI)?

Intrauterine insemination (IUI) is a fertility procedure designed to assist couples in achieving pregnancy. It involves placing specially prepared sperm directly into the uterus, thereby increasing the likelihood of fertilization. This process helps the sperm reach the egg more efficiently.

Who Might Consider IUI?

IUI may be a suitable option for individuals and couples facing certain fertility challenges, including:

• Unexplained Infertility: When the cause of infertility remains unclear after thorough evaluation, IUI is often considered as an initial treatment strategy. It is frequently combined with medications to stimulate egg production.
• Mild Endometriosis: This condition, where tissue like the uterine lining grows outside the uterus, can impact fertility. IUI, in conjunction with medications to promote the development of healthy eggs, can be a viable treatment approach.
• Problems with sperm delivery: IUI alone can be used when the male partner cannot become or stay erect or has ineffective or absent ejaculation. For example, retrograde ejaculation. Prior surgeries or medical conditions, such as diabetes, can cause retrograde ejaculation.
• Cervical Factor Infertility: The cervix and the cervical mucus it produces play a role in sperm transport. If the cervical mucus is too thick or there are cervical scars preventing sperm from entering the uterus from the vagina, or if the uterus is abnormally shaped, sperms may have difficulty reaching the egg. IUI bypasses the cervix, delivering sperm directly to the uterus and improving fertilization chances.
• Lack of ovulation (anovulation): Most of the time, female patients who do not ovulate regularly can become pregnant through regular sexual intercourse, but sometimes IUI may help in addition to medications that induce ovulation.