IUI, or intrauterine insemination, is a procedure done in patients facing problems of infertility or subfertility. In this procedure, a washed semen sample is inserted inside the uterine cavity around the time of ovulation.
IUI is advised in women when timed natural intercourse has failed or in cases with moderate male factors in which sperm count and motility are less.
The prerequisites for IUI are patenting one or both fallopian tubes.
The treatment starts on the second or third day of the period. The woman is asked to come for a sonography after which some medications are started which help development of egg or follicle. The lady is asked to come for follow up for follicular monitoring.
In this we monitor the development of the egg or the follicle till it grows to a size of 18-20mm size. At the same time endometrial lining is also measured which should be ideally more than 7mm around the time of ovulation. Then a HCG injection is given to trigger ovulation.
IUI is done between 36-40 hours after the HCG injection. The husband is advised to abstain from sexual intercourse for 2-3 days prior to IUI. The lady undergoes a sonography to check for ovulation. The semen sample is collected and then processed in the laboratory. Best motile sperm are separated and then inserted inside the uterine cavity with the help of a thin catheter. The procedure is painless.
After the procedure, the lady is asked to lie down and rest for 10-15 minutes. Then she is advised to use progesterone vaginal capsules for 15 days. She is asked to follow up after 15 days with a urine pregnancy test report. The success rate of IUI is about 10-15%.
FAQs
What is Intrauterine Insemination (IUI)? IUI is a fertility treatment where sperm is directly placed in the uterus to aid conception.
Who is a candidate for IUI? It is suitable for couples with mild male infertility, unexplained infertility, or ovulation disorders.
How is IUI different from IVF? IUI is less invasive and involves placing sperm in the uterus, while IVF involves fertilising the egg outside the body.
Is IUI a painful procedure? Most patients experience little to no discomfort during IUI.
What are the success rates of IUI? Success rates vary but are typically between 10-20% per cycle, depending on age and health.
