IUI

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General Information

IUI is a boon to people facing fertility problems, yes! It works and once you are clear about the nitty-gritty details of IUI treatment, the process will be faster and you will feel more prepared before proceeding with the treatment. Be prepared to fill your mind with a relevant amount of IUI information.

IUI or intrauterine insemination sometimes also referred to as “artificial insemination” is a simple procedure that puts sperm directly inside the uterus, which helps healthy sperm get closer to an egg. IUI treatment is less expensive infertility treatment option and is often a recommended option before pursuing In- Vitro.  The history of IUI goes back to the 18th century when Scottish surgeon John Hunter performed an effective procedure with the use of the husband’s sperm.

"IUI is one of the first lines of defence against infertility and to get the power of IUI, you may need to have multiple cycles."

‘’On average women under 35 will have a 10 to 20 percent chance of getting pregnant with each IUI cycle, while a woman over 40 will have a two to five percent chance.’’

Note – The more cycles of IUI you undergo, the higher the chance is for a pregnancy. With 3 to 6 cycles of IUI, pregnancy rates can be as high as 80 percent.

What do you need to know about the IUI procedure/process

Your fertility specialist will decide whether or not you can opt for the IUI fertility treatment procedure.
When you undergo the IUI procedure, you’ll expect to go through the following points :
  • You may begin taking fertility medication and your ovulation cycle will be monitored.
  • Your partner will give a sperm sample ( or you will obtain donor sperm) that will be specifically washed and prepared for the insemination
  • Your doctor will inject the prepared high- quality sperm into your uterus

The Process

  • Egg production and ovulation is stimulated through medications
  • Sperm is collected via masturbation, washed and prepared into a small volume
  • Sperm is deposited into the uterus through the cervix with a narrow catheter

IUI process in detail

First, your doctor will conduct several rounds of pre-testing before moving forward with IUI treatment. Examples of tests that a doctor may include: Blood hormone testing, Semen analysis, pelvic ultrasound.
Stimulation

Fertility drugs are given to stimulate the growth of eggs to reach maturity, to nurture the growth of follicles, which cause ovulation to take place. Oral medication is taken for 5 days and injectable medication is usually taken for 8-12 days based on how the ovaries respond.

Growth Monitoring
Post Maturity
Insemination procedure

“Donor sperm can be used in IUI. If a partner’s sperm count is very low or if the individual is single or in a same-sex relationship.”

IUI treatment is not recommended for

  • Firstly, women suffering from ovarian failure
  • Secondly, women facing severe endometriosis ( It is a condition in which endometrial tissue that lines the uterus begins to spread outside of the uterus)
  • Thirdly, those women who are facing the issue of PCOD
  • Fourthly, Blocked fallopian tube or removed tubes (Blocked fallopian tubes are any hindrance that stops the egg to travel from the ovaries to the uterus in the tube) ‘’40% women are suffering from the blocked tubes problems.’’
  • Fifthly, previous pelvic infection

IUI treatment is recommended for

  • Firstly, those couples, where the female pair faces the problem of hostile cervical mucus
  • Secondly, women suffering from mild endometriosis
  • Thirdly, unexplained infertility
  • Fourthly, HIV patients
  • Fifthly, couples wanting to use a sperm donor 
  • Sixthly, If any sexual pain makes intercourse difficult
  • Women who are suffering from the ovulation cycle
  • Male partner having low sperm count, motility (swimming), and/or morphology(shape)
  • The male partner who is unable to ejaculate into the vagina. This can be due to pain in the women, disability in a partner, erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation, or other such problems.

“Accurate follicular tracking, controlling the quality of eggs by use of fertility drugs and timing of IUI is crucial for better success rates by IUI.”

IUI Risks/side effects Include

  • Risk of Multiple Pregnancy
  • Risk of Infection
  • Mood Swings
  • Spotting

“It is quite common for women to have some vaginal discharge following IUI. This is normal and you should not worry about it.”

IUI treatment cost

IUI treatment cost in India is the most affordable one; the Indicative costs of IUI treatments in Mumbai is – 10,000- 15,000 (indicative cost and subject to change). You will get the best treatment at a much more reasonable price in India. It is recommended by most doctors to do IUI with medications to get better results of the treatment, so the medications added to IUI treatment can increase the cost of the treatment. 

“IUI costs vary from one couple to the next, as tests, treatment plans, and medications would differ according to the couple’s age and medical history.”

IUI success rate

Age plays a big part in IUI success. In a study regarding One Thousand IUI cycles, researchers found that the success rate per couple (over one or more cycles) depended on their age and cause of infertility. For women under age 40, the recommendation is 3 cycles of IUI, before moving onto IVF treatment.

If IUI is performed monthly, success rates may be close to 20% per cycle, depending on variables like female age, the reason for infertility, usage of drugs and other variables.

IUI success tips- Watch your food and stay hydrated, eat whole foods including green veggies, and whole grains, also de-stress in every way possible, reducing stress will help you in the success of IUI treatment.

Things to avoid doing after IUI

Do not panic about the pregnancy and wait for about two weeks before taking the test, don’t let the IUI become a cause of stress and most importantly take rest, stay positive. If you don’t avoid doing these things after IUI treatment, it can result in IUI failure and IUI failure reasons can be many- so make sure to consult your doctor, don’t over-think.

After IUI how to confirm pregnancy?

You can do a home pregnancy test after fourteen days of IUI to confirm your pregnancy. If you take a pregnancy test after IUI before the fourteen-day mark, you may get a false negative. For the most precise results, pregnancy tests should be taken using the first urine elimination of the day.

Start your IUI journey with IVF Spring Clinic

  • IVF Spring Fertility Centre is a reputed clinic which is hygienic and cleans the cervix before the insemination procedure to avoid the chances of developing an infection in the uterus or the fallopian tubes
  • We have  a team of fertility specialists with experience spanning decades
  •  We adhere to international protocols that are followed stringently when handling eggs and sperms. Our IUI treatment is affordable, safe and very effective. Also, we have a donor sperm bank in our fertility clinic. You can trust us! Any Questions? Contact us

FAQs related to IUI

What is IUI?

IUI stands for intrauterine insemination, a fertility treatment that involves placing washed sperm directly into a woman's uterus during ovulation.

Who is a candidate for IUI?

Couples experiencing unexplained infertility, mild male factor infertility, or cervical factor infertility may be candidates for IUI.

How is IUI done?

IUI involves monitoring the menstrual cycle, preparing the sperm sample, and placing the sperm into the uterus using a catheter.

Is IUI successful?

Success rates vary depending on factors such as age, infertility cause, and number of cycles. On average, IUI success rates are around 10-20% per cycle.

What are the risks of IUI?

Potential risks include infection, cramping, and spotting. There is also a risk of multiple pregnancies if more than one egg is released during ovulation.

Is IUI covered by insurance?

Coverage for IUI varies by insurance plan and location. Some plans offer full or partial coverage, while others do not cover the procedure at all.

How many times can a woman do IUI?

The number of times a woman can undergo IUI depends on factors such as age, fertility diagnosis, and personal preference. Most clinics recommend no more than six cycles.

Can IUI be combined with fertility medications?

Yes, fertility medications such as clomiphene citrate or gonadotropins can be used to increase the chances of ovulation and improve IUI success rates.

Are there alternative treatments to IUI?

Depending on the cause of infertility, alternative treatments may include fertility medications, IVF, or surgical procedures.

Is IUI expensive?

IUI is typically less expensive than IVF, with an average cost of around $500-1500 per cycle in the US. However, additional expenses may include medications and monitoring appointments.

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    Dr. Anjali Ajit Deval

    IUI / IVF / Surrogacy

    Dr. Anjali Ajit Deval is the Director of IVF Spring Fertility Center Mumbai. With 15+ years’ practice experience as an…

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