What is IUI? (IUI Procedure)
About IUI Treatment
Infertility issues impact several individuals and couples each year, making it difficult for them to live their dream of experiencing parenthood. Several treatments are now available for couples and individuals who wish to conceive, out of which Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) is considered a popular and reliable solution. This infertility treatment involves a direct transfer of sperm into the female partner’s uterus. When a couple tries to conceive through intercourse, only a few sperm actually reach the egg. The number of sperm that will reach the egg depends on several factors, including the reproductive health of both the male and the female partner. Therefore, in an IUI procedure, fertility specialists derive some healthy sperm and directly place them into the uterus to facilitate fertilization. This simplifies the process and helps couples and individuals have biological children.
The IUI procedure is considered one of the most effective and reliable infertility treatments available presently, which is also less invasive than its counterparts, such as In Vitro Fertilization or IVF.
IUI has an impressive success rate of almost 80% within 3 to 6 cycles in suitable patients. (Source: Cloudnine Fertility)
IUI Procedure
The IUI procedure consists of the following steps:
| Sperm collection | This can happen in several ways, such as through: – masturbating into a sterile container – retrieving into a special condom during sex – extracting from a urine sample in a lab – collecting while undergoing vibratory stimulation |
| Sperm sample washing | This involves the removal of the seminal fluid from the sample because it can cause severe cramping in the female. This part can take 1–2 hours. |
| Sperm insertion | The individual will lie down as a healthcare professional inserts a thin, flexible catheter through the cervix into the uterus. They then slowly inject the sperm sample. This takes a few minutes. |
Diagnostic Tests Before IUI Treatment
The doctors employ a comprehensive diagnostic approach to diagnose fertility issues, determine the cause of infertility, and rule out other underlying reproductive health conditions. The diagnostic approach employed before IUI, or any other fertility treatment, involves a series of tests for both the female and the male partners. Some standard tests are performed at every clinic, which we will further discuss, however, some additional tests specific to the patient’s condition may also be recommended. Let us look at some standard diagnostic tests performed before Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) procedure:
Tests for women:
- Ovulation testing: The purpose of this test is to check whether the woman is ovulating or not.
- Ovarian Reserve Test: This test is performed to check the number of eggs available in the woman’s ovaries. It is generally done in the initial days of a woman’s menstrual cycle.
- Imaging tests: The most commonly performed imaging test before IUI treatment is a pelvic ultrasound. The purpose of a pelvic ultrasound is to rule out abnormalities in the uterus or the ovaries.
Tests For Men:
- Semen Analysis: A semen analysis test involves the collection of sperm samples and its assessment under a microscope. This test helps doctors look for potential problems with sperm quality that may be causing infertility.
- Imagine Tests: These tests may involve MRI or ultrasound scans of the genitals to look for underlying abnormalities of the male reproductive organs.
- Testicular Biopsy: This test helps doctors look for abnormalities in the male reproductive system.
- Hormone Testing: This test helps analyze the level of testosterone or other hormones in the male partner.
Step by Step IUI Procedure
The intrauterine insemination procedure is performed in several steps. The fertility specialists ensure precision at every step to ensure the efficacy of the procedure and the best treatment outcomes. IUI is performed in the following steps:
Step 1: The first step of the IUI procedure involves prescribing certain medications to the patient and recommending some lifestyle changes. These medicines and lifestyle changes are necessary for the efficacy of the procedure. These changes may include cutting back on certain habits such as smoking and drinking, eating the right foods, maintaining a healthy body weight, etc., that can help ensure healthy treatment outcomes after an IUI procedure. Certain medicines may also be recommended at this point, which the patient should take as advised.
Step 2: The next step involves tracking the ovulation cycle and egg production of the woman seeking IUI. The doctors prescribe oral medicines to the patient to stimulate the ovaries and monitor egg production closely during this phase. The patients are required to take these medicines for 8 to 12 days. But it should be noted that the duration for which the patient has to take the prescription medicines is subject to vary based on the response of the ovaries to the treatment. The doctor may also make use of injections in the process.
Step 3: Following the ovary stimulation process, the doctor performs some tests to monitor the development of the eggs. These tests may include ultrasound and hormone tests. The purpose of these tests is to determine the date of IUI treatment to ensure the best results.
During this stage, the doctors also perform the sperm harvesting process. This process involves collecting sperm samples or using frozen sperm samples (depending upon the patient’s requirement) and washing them to remove all the dirt and debris. This is done to ensure the efficacy of the procedure.
Step 4: After the semen is washed to get healthy motile sperm, it is implanted in the uterus of the female partner with the help of a thin and flexible catheter. After this process, the women often experience mild cramping and discomfort, but it is usually manageable.
Step 5: Finally, in this step, the doctor calls the patient to the clinic to perform a pregnancy test and determine the success or failure of the procedure.
