What is intrauterine insemination (IUI)?
Intrauterine insemination (IUI) treatment is the least invasive and technically easiest form of artificial insemination, with minimal complications. It is usually the first step in treating couples with unexplained infertility.
With IUI, the embryologist prepares a sample of motile sperm and places it inside your uterus. It’s done before an egg or eggs are released in either a natural or stimulated cycle. Conception occurs naturally in the body.
When should you seek IUI treatment?
Intrauterine insemination is used in cases of:
- unexplained infertility
- male infertility (mild)
- failure to conceive after ovulation induction treatment
- immunological (anti sperm antibodies)
- ejaculatory failure
- retrograde ejaculation
How does IUI work?
On a stimulated cycle (super ovulation), the size and number of follicle are measured using ultrasonography; a Human Chorionic Gonadotrophin (HCG) injection is given to mature the eggs when the follicles reach a certain size.
IUI is performed 24-36 hours after you have the HCG injection.
The success rate of IUI
IUI’s success rate is 10%-12% per cycle. So, we recommend between three and six cycles of treatment are attempted before considering other options.
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