WHAT IS intrauterine
insemination (IUI)?
IUI is a type of procedure done to manage infertility. Also called as
artificial insemination, this procedure involves injecting sperms directly into
a woman’s uterus around the time of release of eggs from the ovaries
(ovulation). For doing IUI, either husband’s sperms can be used or sperms from
donors can be used.
How does IUI help?
IUI is indicated for treatment of unexplained infertility, mild endometriosis,
mild male factor infertility where sperm counts or speed are minimally
affected. In an IUI cycle, female partner is given medicines for egg production
from second or third day of her periods after a baseline ultrasound scan. Woman
is then called for follow up for follicular monitoring. At the time egg has
achieved a size of around 18-21 mm, woman is given a trigger injection for
rupture of eggs from the ovary. At around 36-40 hours after trigger shot, IUI
is done. It serves 2 purposes. Firstly, timing is appropriate and secondly only
the best sperms with good capacity to fertilize eggs directly reach the uterine
cavity so that both distance and time to travel are reduced, at the same time
numbers and quality of sperms present in the cavity of the best quality.
how is IUI different from IVF?
In an IVF cycle, eggs from female are collected outside body, fertilized
with a sperm in the lab. Embryo is formed in the lab itself and is then
transferred into the uterus of woman. However in IUI, only selected sperms are
injected into the uterus and fertilization happens inside female’s body.
WHO SHOULD GO FOR IUI
Couples who are not able to conceive even after one year of unprotected
intercourse and have one of these factors:
Women who do not ovulate without treatment, such as those with PCOS or
those with ovulatory dysfunction.
·
Couples with unexplained infertility where all tests like tubes,
ovulation, semen examination are normal.
·
Mild male factor where there are minimal problems with sperm counts and
motility.
·
Males with difficulty in ejaculation.
·
Geographical factors where husband and wife are not staying at one
place.
·
Male partners with frozen sperms.
·
Anyone who needs donor sperm, such as couples where male partner
has nil or very low sperm counts, genetic diseases running in family, women
willing to be single mothers.
HOW EFFECTIVE IS IUI?
IUI is a simple looking procedure but needs very good andrology lab
facilities. It is cheap and cost effective if done at a good infertility
centre. So, when looking for a Best IVF Hospital, always choose a centre
where there are facilities of andrology lab and semen preparation.
INVESTIGATIONS BEFORE IUI
Before the procedure, your doctor will advise you to give some tests to
ensure IUI is the right treatment for you. Basic workup includes few hormone
tests on second or third day of menstrual cycle, tube testing with SSG or HSG
to ensure that the fallopian tubes are open. Also, husband is tested for sperm
counts and motility, a detailed semen evaluation is needed. To get semen
testing, always choose some Best IVF Hospital where facilities of andrology lab are present
and there is andrologist / embryologist available. Try to avoid testing in
outside labs. Also, try to avoid semen preparation at one centre and procedure
at other centre as sperms will get destroyed in transit.
IUI IS NOT PAINFUL
Being a pioneer Best IVF Hospital, we have a vast experience of IUI
and IVF procedures. Going by the pain scores as told by our patients, most of
the women found it very simple and easy. Only a few complained of discomfort.
Again it depends on both experience of fertility doctor and pain tolerance of
the female patient.
Cost of IUI
Cost of IUI depends on various factors, including the medicines used for
ovulation induction, whether one or two IUI are performed in one cycle. Overall
it is much cheaper than IVF with reasonably good results over 3-4 cycles.
complications or risks with iui
There is no medicine or procedure that is without any side effects, overall it
is a safe procedure without any long term risks or side effects. If not
monitored carefully, however, a patient can hyper stimulate and there can be a
risk of accumulation of extra fluid in body. Because of more number of eggs,
sometimes, a patient can also have multiple pregnancies like twins, the chances
of which are 5-7 %. If not done at a good centre, where sterile precautions are
not followed, a woman can have uterus infection.