Infertility can be caused by a variety of reasons. Which is why in today’s day and age, patients are given a variety of options when it comes to eliminating their infertility. In this blog we will see when and why intrauterine insemination or IUI is used as the first line of treatment for a successful conception.
Table of Contents
What is IUI?
Intrauterine Insemination (IUI), commonly known as artificial insemination, is an assisted reproductive treatment in which sperm from the male partner is implanted into the female reproductive tract at the time of ovulation for implantation and conception. IUI is used to address a variety of reproductive issues.
When to visit a fertility specialist for IUI?
According to the Chief Fertility Consultant, Dr. Narhari Malagaonkar, at Progenesis, “For starters, if you are facing infertility problems, even at a mature age of around 40, you are someone who can speak with us fertility specialists about such treatments.”
“Apart from that, check for signs of male-factor infertility.”, he adds.
When is IUI treatment availed?
IUI might be a useful starting step for couples with ovulation problems or unexplained infertility.
Because IUI is less intrusive, more comfortable for the patient, significantly less expensive, and safe with a high compliance rate, it should be suggested as the initial treatment for cases of unexplained infertility for couples where the woman’s age is under 38 years.
The following are the indications for IUI treatment:
- Male Infertility: Male infertility occurs when males have low sperm quantity, poor motility (movement) of sperm , or morphologically defective sperms. These difficulties can be resolved with IUI. IUI can be used to isolate and inseminate high-quality sperm.
- Thick Cervical Mucus: The cervix is the region beneath the uterus. Ovulation mucus permits sperm to move easily from the vagina to the fallopian tubes. Thick mucus can obstruct sperm movement and stop it from entering the egg. This issue can be solved with the IUI infertility treatment process, in which the sperm is put straight into the uterus after bypassing the cervical region.
- Endometriosis: Endometriosis develops when the endometrial lining of the uterus extends beyond the uterine boundaries. IUI can be conducted as the first treatment procedure for women having endometriosis, accompanied by medications for fertility that can act in conjunction with the IUI approach.
- Irregular Ovulation: Women who have ovulatory abnormalities such as irregular ovulation or lack of ovulation may benefit from IUI. Initially, medication for fertility and hormonal disorders are used to induce ovulation. The sperms are deposited then in the woman’s uterus, during the time of ovulation.
- Unexplained infertility: IUI is often regarded as the initial line of treatment in cases where the cause of infertility is unknown. For better results, IUI is performed jointly with ovulation induction methods.
- Using Donor Sperms: When a couple is considering using donor sperm to conceive, IUI is an alternative where fresh or frozen sperm can be utilized for conception. The frozen sperms are thawed before usage. Single mothers can also use donor sperm for IUI.
- Semen Allergy: Semen protein allergy may cause infertility in very uncommon cases. When the semen comes into touch with the woman’s skin, this sensitive allergic response might cause swelling, redness, and a burning sensation. To prevent such allergic reactions, sperms are isolated from the semen and put into the woman’s uterus by IUI.
Conclusory remarks
If you are facing the above mentioned situations then it is time to visit a fertility expert and get your treatment started. Delaying your treatment might result in ineffective results. It is also important that you receive your treatment under an experienced specialist and in a well reputed fertility center for successful results.
FAQ’s
What is the IUI success rate?
Every cycle, the success rate of IUI varies between 7% and 10% if you have both fallopian tubes that are healthy and the sperm is of high-quality. If you take fertility medications in addition to IUI therapy, your chances of success increase by 15–25%.
What are the keys to a successful IUI?
– Steer clear of vigorous exercise.
– To encourage your ovaries to produce eggs, take medication.
– Consume a balanced diet.
– Learn when to give your doctor a call.
– Take a break and stop stressing.
– Steer clear of hot baths.
– Control your expectations.
How successful is IUI with PCOS?
If a woman has PCOS, IUI can be quite effective. It could be time to think about other fertility treatments, though, if a woman has two or three IUI cycles and has not become pregnant. In vitro fertilization, or IVF, is often advised when in vitro insemination (IUI) for PCOS is unsuccessful.
What is the step by step process of IUI
During the procedure, you position your legs into the stirrups while lying on an examination table. A speculum, a plastic or metal-hinged instrument, is used to spread open the vaginal walls. Then the following steps are conducted by the doctor or nurse:
– A vial containing a sample of healthy sperm is attached to the end of a catheter, which is a long, thin, flexible tube.
– The catheter is then inserted into the vagina, via the cervix, and into the uterus.
– The sperm sample is pushed into the uterus via the tube.
– And then the catheter is removed, followed by the speculum.
Is IUI the right treatment for me after 30?
Aside from the cause of infertility, age is the most critical factor in determining IUI success. Most doctors would recommend IUI before the age of 40 to maximize your chances of becoming pregnant. As people age, they produce fewer eggs, and the quality of those eggs deteriorates.