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.
This procedure can be performed during a natural cycle or with additional hormonal stimulation.
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 rates depend on the cause and severity of the infertility and your age. Success rates for IUI using donor sperm are about:
There is no limit on how many cycles of IUI you can undertake if you are using your partner's sperm.