Intrauterine insemination (IUI) involves a laboratory procedure to separate fast moving sperm from slower or dead sperm. The fast moving sperm are then placed into the woman’s womb close to the time of ovulation when the egg is released from the ovary in the middle of the monthly cycle.
Is IUI for me?
IUI treatment results are low,may be useful if:
- you have unexplained infertility
- you have ovulation problems
- there are minor sperm parameter problems
- What do I need to be able to undergo IUI?
It is essential that your fallopian tubes are known to be open (patent) and healthy before the IUI process begins. A tubal test is done for assessment. The typical method for assessing the health of your pelvis and the patency of your fallopian tubes is a hysterosalpingogram (HSG), a HyCosy or laparoscopy and dye testing. When the pelvis and tubes are healthy, fluid used in these tests passes freely through both tubes. The second essential requirement is that there is no significant problem with sperm numbers or sperm quality.
IUI options
If we recommend IUI treatment, you may want to discuss the following options: IUI with or without fertility drugs – as IUI can be given with or without fertility drugs to boost egg production, you should discuss the risks involved in using fertility drugs and whether IUI without fertility drugs might be suitable for you. IUI with Husband’s sperm or Donor sperm – instead of using your partner’s sperm, if your partner is unable to provide sperm, or if you do not have a male partner, you may want to consider using donated sperm. If IUI is unsuccessful – we may discuss other procedures such as in vitro fertilisation (IVF) with you.