What is IUI Treatment, and How Does it Works?

Nowadays, infertility has become a common problem in new-age women because of age, physical problems, hormone problems, and a sedentary lifestyle. And if you are also among them looking for infertility treatment, then you can go for Assisted Reproductive Technique.

There are many Assisted Reproductive Techniques, and IUI Treatment is one technique that works and gives successful pregnancy to female fertility issues.

It has brought hope into many women’s lives by helping them get pregnant. This blog will help you learn about what is IUI treatment and how it works.

What is IUI?

Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) is an assisted reproductive technique (ART) used to treat infertility. In this procedure, high-quality sperm collected, washed, and concentrated are placed directly inside a woman’s uterus when the ovary is released.

IUI increases your chance of getting pregnant by cutting down the time and distance sperm has to travel. This makes it easier for the sperm to reach an egg.

Why is IUI Performed?

There are reasons such as infertility issues, or as a reproductive option for same-sex female couples or females who wish to have a baby without a partner, using a sperm donor. It is most often used when the following condition is present:

  • Unexplained Infertility
  • Donor Sperm
  • Cervical Problem
  • Erection Dysfunction
  • Ovulatory Factor Infertility
  • Semen Allergy

Related Post: – What is IVF Treatment, and How Does it Work?

What is the Procedure of IUI Treatment?

There may be slightly different procedures for every treatment plan provided by different healthcare. But it typically includes the following procedure: –

1. Semen Collection

Semen will be collected from your partner on the day of the IUI procedure. And in some cases, if your partner will be out of town or have difficulty providing the semen sample on the given date, then they can provide a sample before the IUI date, and your healthcare provider can freeze it until it is time to be used.

And if you’re using a sperm donor, the donor sperm will be thawed and prepared.

2. Semen Washing

Semen contains more than just sperm. So, your doctor will put the semen through a special “washing” procedure that separates the highly active sperm from the lower quality sperm and other impurities. This is important because no sperm elements in semen can cause reactions in the woman’s body that interfere with fertilization.

And if you are using donor sperm, the sperm bank usually sends sperm that are already washed.

3. Insemination

The insemination process is very simple and takes only a few minutes. For this procedure, you will lie down on an examination table. Your doctor will insert a speculum into your vagina to visualize your cervix.

Then a catheter is placed in your cervix. You may feel mild cramping similar to what you feel during a Pap test. Then finally, washed semen is transferred into your uterus.

Then you may be asked to lie down for a short while after insemination. Pregnancy will happen if sperm fertilizes an egg and implants in the lining of your uterus. You may be given progesterone as it helps maintain the lining of your uterus and can improve the chances of implantation.

After two weeks of IUI treatment, you can go for a pregnancy test.

How long is the IUI Process?

The actual IUI process takes only 10-15 minutes. But the timeline for the complete procedure from beginning to end is approximately four weeks, around 28 days.

Firstly, a doctor will do a thorough examination that may include bloodwork, semen analysis, ultrasound, and other diagnostics. The doctor may give oral fertility medicine to some patients for a few days to increase the chance of ovulation and releasing multiple eggs. And finally, the IUI procedure is done, which is explained above.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

You can easily return to your normal activity after IUI treatment. Usually, there is no restriction, but you should avoid the activity that makes you feel uncomfortable. Here are the symptoms that you may feel after this treatment: –

  • Mild cramping
  • Sporting for one or two days

The cost of IUI treatment can vary from place to place and clinic to clinic, your health history, use of medications, and diagnostic testing. However, it is cheaper than other infertility treatments like IVF.

It is very difficult to predict the success rate of IUI. Because every couple has a different response to IUI, and also the success rate of IUI depends on multiple factors such as: –

  • Age
  • Underlying infertility diagnosis
  • Whether fertility drugs are used
  • Other underlying fertility concerns

Following is the risk involved in IUI treatment: –

  • Infection
  • Multiple births
  • Spotting
  • Cramping
  • Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome
  • Nausea and Vomiting
  • Severe abdominal or pelvic pain
  • A sudden increase in abdominal size
  • Shortness of breath

The following are things you should keep in mind before going for IUI treatment: –

  • Avoid stress
  • Take a healthy diet.
  • As the volume of semen and the amount of sperm matter, you should avoid ejaculation for three days.
  • If the male candidate has oligospermia, go for the sperm quality test and should opt for good food that increases sperm count.

Conclusion

If you are not getting pregnant naturally, you should go for IUI treatment first. IUI is affordable and has a reasonable success rate compared to other assisted reproductive techniques.