Our renowned team of doctors and fertility specialists are dedicated to optimal success rates, your comfort and safety, and your informed peace of mind. Patient education is always a high priority, so if you are considering intrauterine insemination, we’ll help you understand the options available, what IUI is, how it works, and what your personalised treatment plan might look like.
What is intrauterine insemination (IUI)?
Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) is a fertility procedure commonly recommended to couples experiencing fertility issues, or when a sperm donor is being used. In order for fertilisation to occur, sperm must meet the female’s egg by travelling through the cervix, into the uterus, and to the fallopian tubes. This is done whereby washed sperm is placed in the uterus to increase the chances of fertilisation. This procedure is done around ovulation. It is often combined with giving the female patient fertility drugs to increase the chances of conceiving.
The sperm is washed to remove dead and abnormal sperm, and to activate the normal sperm to swim more efficiently. IUI is performed when the male partner has a borderline or normal sperm count, motility or sperm shape. For an IUI to be successful, the fallopian tubes in the female patient must be healthy and open.
Why IUI?
The most common reasons why fertility specialists may recommend intrauterine insemination are:
- Endometriosis
- Irregular ovulation
- Low sperm count
- Couples participating in fertility preservation
- Cervical scarring from surgery (cryosurgery, loop electrosurgical excision procedure, etc.)
- Sperm motility issues
- Same-sex female couples using a sperm donor
- Unexplained infertility
How effective is IUI?
IUI is generally a very effective fertility treatment, though it is not recommended for all patients. There are a number of factors that will affect the success rate of IUI, including:
- Cause of infertility
- Age of the patients
- Health of the patients
- Fertility medications used
What is the success rate of IUI treatment?
Success rates can be as high as 20% per cycle.
Is IUI safe?
In general, IUI is incredibly safe, with little risk of infection or other adverse effect. For female patients taking fertility medications, the chance of getting pregnant with twins, triplets, or more increases with an IUI procedure.
The steps of IUI
IUI is a relatively quick and painless procedure comprising of the following basic steps:
- A semen sample is collected and “washed” to remove seminal fluid and concentrate the sperm.
- Ovulation will be monitored, and once it has begun, the female will lie on an examination table.
- A speculum will be used to reveal the cervix, and a catheter will be inserted into the uterus.
- Finally, the semen sample is injected, and the procedure is complete.
Starting with your first consultation and with each step of treatment, your safety and comfort are our primary focus. IUI usually only takes a few minutes and is an extremely safe procedure. You can rest assured that our fertility specialists utilise the latest technologies and best practices to ensure optimal results and your peace of mind.