What is IUI? Find Out About Intrauterine Insemination

What is IUI?

An overview of a popular option for couples trying to conceive
What is IUI? Intrauterine insemination (IUI) is a fertility treatment to help you conceive without undertaking IVF. It is less invasive, and is a great starting point for many women who are struggling to conceive. At IVFMD, our priority is to empower you throughout your unique path to parenthood — and for many women, IUI is a reliable, safe and effective treatment option that leads to a successful pregnancy.     

What is IUI: How IUI works

If you are actively trying to conceive, you know how many factors can impact successfully conceiving during your fertile window. IUI improves conditions for conception by prolonging the survival of sperm; sperm are deposited directly into the uterus  putting it closer to your fallopian tubes which creates an easier journey for the sperm to meet the egg. With this approach, the sperm are more active upon entering the uterus, improving their chances of fertilizing the egg.

What is IUI: Who IUI is for

We find IUI to work well for women with regular cycles that last between 28-32 days. This treatment is recommended for couples who have been trying to conceive for at least a year, or for women who have  irregular ovulation, blocked fallopian tubes, or mild endometriosis. Additionally, IUI can also be used in cases where the man has a low sperm count or motility issues. Every conception journey is unique—at IVFMD, we will use the results from your fertility assessments to create a custom treatment plan to meet your goals

What is IUI: The benefits of IUI

IUI has several benefits. One of the biggest advantages of IUI is that it is a relatively simple and non-invasive procedure that can be performed in a doctor’s office. It is also less expensive than more complex fertility treatments such as in vitro fertilization (IVF).

Another benefit of IUI is that it can increase the chances of conception without the need for timed intercourse or fertility drugs. This can be especially beneficial for couples who have busy schedules or who live far away from a fertility clinic.

What is IUI: How to know if IUI could work for me

If you are struggling to get pregnant, we want to help you get the best understanding of what may be preventing a successful pregnancy. Before undergoing IUI, IVFMD conducts a thorough evaluation on both partners to ensure they are good candidates. This typically includes blood tests, ultrasounds, and a semen analysis. If everything looks good, we will guide you through the treatment which starts with you taking medication to stimulate the growth of follicles in your ovaries, which will then produce mature eggs.

From there, IUI takes three steps:

1. Semen Sample
   1. The male provides a fresh semen sample at an IVFMD clinic, or donor sperm is provided.
2. Semen Spinning
   1. Fresh semen is washed and spun in our lab to separate the swimming sperm from the seminal fluid.
3. Insemination
   1. At the time of ovulation, the forward-swimming sperm are placed into the uterus, beyond the cervix, shortening the distance the sperm have to travel to meet the egg. 

The IUI procedure is relatively painless and does not require anesthesia. After the procedure, you will be asked to rest for a short period of time before resuming normal activities. You may experience some mild cramping or spotting, but these symptoms usually subside within a few hours.

What is IUI: The success rates of IUI

Around 50-60% of couples find success with IUI after five cycles, which is about a 10-20% success rate per cycle. The success rate of IUI is impacted by factors such as your age, the cause of infertility, and the quality of the sperm used.

We know how important growing your family is to you, and want to set you up for success no matter what treatment you choose. At the time of your evaluation, our fertility specialists help you determine the best path. 

What is IUI: The limitations of IUI

IUI is a great option for many couples trying to conceive, but it does have limitations. IUI treatment would not be effective in the following situations:

• Very low sperm concentration and forward movement
• Severe abnormal sperm size or shape
• Tubal abnormality or severe endometriosis or pelvic adhesions
• Couple is worried about Genetic disorders

Other treatments and IUI

Every couple is unique – based on the results from your fertility assessments, a specialist may prescribe other treatments to increase your chances of pregnancy. For some patients, natural IUI is enough to result in pregnancy. For others, IUI may need to be combined with ovulation induction.

How IVFMD can help with IUI Treatment

Texas residents who struggle with infertility can benefit from visiting an IVFMD clinic in Irving, Grapevine, and Arlington.  IVFMD and its fertility specialists offer a comprehensive range of fertility treatments, including IUI, IVF, and genetic testing. Our team of physicians and staff prioritizes compassionate and personalized care to each patient – ​​ you’re always assured one-on-one time with an accomplished fertility specialist to help you feel confident in the next steps toward growing your family.

To schedule an appointment with IVFMD, please fill out this form or call a clinic directly.