IUI is a common fertility treatment option used for a number of different infertility issues, including: Male-Factor Infertility, Unexplained Infertility, Cervical-factor Infertility, Sexual Dysfunction, and the Use of Donor Sperm. IUI is considered a less involved approach to the treatment of infertility because the critical steps necessary for conception must occur as they naturally would, without medical involvement.
IUI Process
IUI is a simple office procedure whereby the sperm is prepared, and then placed directly inside a woman’s uterus. This can boost the chance of becoming pregnant. The male partner provides a semen sample the day his partner ovulates. The sperm are washed, analyzed, concentrated, and prepared. In the case of frozen donor sperm, the specimen is thawed, analyzed, and prepared.
A speculum and a small catheter are used to place the sperm directly into the uterus. At least one fallopian tube must be open for conception to occur. The procedure is painless and does not require activity restrictions afterward.
We recommend a pregnancy test two weeks after IUI. Expected pregnancy rates vary between 5 and 20%, and depend on the couple’s prognostic factors. Therefore, a series of treatments should be expected.