Vansh Test Tube Baby

Vansh Test Tube Baby

Fertility Treatment

In Vitro Fertilization/(IVF)

What is IUI?


Artificial Insemination/Intrauterine insemination (IUI) is usually one of the first fertility treatments offered. It is a technique in which a sample of prepared sperm (either from the male partner or a sperm donor) is introduced directly into the uterus via the cervix at around the time of ovulation.

If IUI is an appropriate treatment for you, there two types available;

"Natural" IUI means that insemination takes place in a natural cycle - so you do not need to take any fertility drugs to stimulate ovulation. On the other hand,

"Stimulated" IUI is performed in patients who given fertility drugs to make the ovaries respond more vigorously than in a natural cycle.

IUI step by step

This procedure can be performed during a natural cycle or with additional hormonal stimulation.

  • The woman usually is given medications to stimulate development of multiple eggs and insemination is timed to coincide with ovulation - release of the eggs.
  • A semen specimen is either produced at home or in the office by masturbation after 2-5 days of abstinence from ejaculation.
  • The semen is "washed" in the laboratory (called sperm processing or sperm washing). The sperm is separated from the other components of the semen and concentrated in a small volume. Various media and techniques can be used for the washing and separation. Sperm processing takes about 30-60 minutes.
  • A speculum is placed in the vagina and the cervical area is gently cleaned.
  • The washed specimen of highly motile sperm is placed either in the cervix (intracervical insemination, ICI) or higher in the uterine cavity (intrauterine insemination, IUI) using a sterile, flexible catheter.

IUI procedure for male infertility

If male factor infertility issues are suspected before IUI, your partner will need a full male fertility evaluation, including a sperm analysis, before you undergo the IUI procedure.

During this evaluation, a doctor will check your partner’s semen for sperm count and motility. If he has low sperm count, the doctor may ask him to give several semen samples that can be used during the IUI procedure. Having several samples will increase the number of sperm available and may improve your chances of IUI success.

Before giving a sperm sample, your partner will want to abstain from ejaculation for 2-3 days. This 2-3 day wait will maximize his sperm count, and help ensure that his sperm are healthy and mobile.

Success rate of IUI

Success rates depend on the cause and severity of the infertility and your age. Success rates for IUI using donor sperm are about:

  • 16 per cent if you are under 35
  • 11 per cent if you are between 35 and 39
  • 5 per cent if you are between 40 and 42
  • 1 per cent if you are between 43 and 44
  • Zero per cent if you are over 44

There is no limit on how many cycles of IUI you can undertake if you are using your partner's sperm.