For couples who have been trying to conceive without success, infertility treatment may help them reach their goals. Different treatments are available, including intrauterine insemination (IUI). IUI is an accessible and quick procedure that can improve your chances of getting pregnant. Here are five things you should know about IUI:
1. Minimally Invasive Procedure
IUI is a common first option for couples seeking a minimally invasive fertility treatment. It is simpler and less invasive than other assisted reproductive techniques like in vitro fertilization (IVF). It is also a more natural process that allows your body to conceive more independently.
During treatment, a fertility specialist inserts a catheter through the vagina and cervix to place semen directly into the uterus. This reduces the distance and time semen has to travel, placing high-quality sperm near the fallopian tubes and increasing the chances of conception. IUI is usually less painful and doesn’t require surgery, making it a minimally invasive procedure.
2. Couples Choose IUI for Various Reasons
If you have tried to conceive naturally for more than a year, intrauterine insemination may offer a higher chance of success. IUI helps women experiencing various infertility issues, such as unexplained infertility, semen allergies, and cervical mucus issues, to conceive. It can benefit men with ejaculation issues, low sperm quality, and erectile dysfunction. IUI also helps fertile women–single women and same-sex couples–who rely on a sperm donor to get pregnant.
3. Timed with One’s Menstrual Cycle
The success of IUI depends on how effectively you time your menstrual cycle. Fertility specialists will put the sperm into your uterus during ovulation. They may offer an at-home ovulation test kit to monitor your cycle. This kit measures the level of luteinizing hormone (LH) in urine to determine when ovulation occurs.
An increase in LH or a positive result signals that the ovary is about to release an egg. Once you start to ovulate, visit your facility specialist for an IUI procedure. Specialists may collect semen from your partner or thaw a frozen sample. They “wash” this semen to remove seminal fluid or debris that could irritate the uterus.
4. Combined with Fertility Medications
Women who do not ovulate regularly might find it tricky to determine the right time for IUI. This problem is common in females with an underlying health issue like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). In that case, a fertility provider might combine IUI with medications like clomiphene and letrozole to stimulate ovulation. Letrozole can also be prescribed for individuals with unexplained infertility and mild male factor infertility.
5. Low-Risk Procedure
IUI is a well-tolerated, low-risk, and outpatient procedure. Patients might experience mild cramping after the procedure, but it does not persist. A fertility specialist uses sterilized tools during the procedure to minimize the risk of infection. An associated risk of IUI is multiple pregnancies, especially when combined with fertility medications. Spotting may also occur due to the insertion of a catheter. This bleeding often will not pose any risk to the pregnancy.
Getting Pregnant with Intrauterine Insemination
Couples experiencing infertility can use IUI to conceive and become parents. Before treatment, consult a fertility specialist to determine if this option is best for you. They can identify the cause of your infertility and recommend other assisted reproductive techniques that may suit your condition. Contact a fertility provider today to learn more about intrauterine insemination.
