Everything You Need To Know About IUI Treatment

Overview

Intrauterine insemination (IUI Treatment) is a fertility treatment in which sperm are placed directly right into a woman’s uterus. The sperm need to travel from the vagina through the cervix, into the uterus, and up to the fallopian tubes during the natural conception. With IUI treatment, sperm are “washed” and concentrated, and also placed directly into the uterus, which places them closer to the egg. 

Why is IUI treatment performed?

People choose IUI treatment for lots of reasons, which include infertility issues, or as a reproductive alternative for same-sex female couples or females who want to have a baby without a partner, utilizing a sperm donor. 

Intrauterine insemination (IUI Treatment) can be used when these situations are present: 

• Cervical mucus issues or other issues with your cervix. So basically your cervix separates your vagina and uterus from each other. Mucus produced by your cervix allows sperm to travel out of your vagina, through your uterus, and to your fallopian tubes. Thick mucus can make it difficult for sperm to swim. With IUI treatment sperm bypasses your cervix and goes straightly to your uterus. 
• Low sperm count or some other sperm impairments. Semen analysis is a part of infertility treatment. It may also show that your partner’s sperm is small, weak, gradual, or oddly shaped, or that your partner doesn’t have plenty of sperm. IUI fertility treatment can help these issues because only excellent sperm is selected and used for your treatment. 
• You’re utilizing donor sperm. IUI is used when people use sperm from someone who isn’t the birth parent’s partner. This is known as donor insemination (DI). DI is accomplished when one partner has no sperm or when the sperm quality is so low that the sperm can’t be used. Single women or same-sex woman couples who want to conceive also can use donor sperm. 
• Ejaculation or erection dysfunction. IUI treatment can be used when one partner can’t get or maintain an erection or isn’t capable of ejaculating. 
• Semen allergy. In uncommon cases, people have a hypersensitive reaction to their partner’s semen. It can end up in burning, swelling, and redness in the vagina. IUI treatment can be effective as the proteins inflicting the allergy are cut during sperm washing. 
• Unexplained infertility. This is when healthcare stakeholders cannot find the reason for infertility. 

IUI Procedure Step By Step 

Before starting IUI fertility treatment, we do a medical assessment of both the female and male partners. For men, this in most cases involves obtaining a semen analysis. For women, hormone levels like Anti-Mullerian Hormone (AMH) and Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) are checked, which provide indirect information about egg supply and ovarian function. A physical assessment and vaginal ultrasound also are carried out and any relevant medical history (previous pregnancies, medical diagnoses) are discussed. 

Many times an assessment of the uterine cavity and fallopian tubes is finished via a Sonohysterogram (ultrasound) or hysterosalpingogram (X-Ray). Undergoing an intrauterine insemination cycle often consists of taking medicine to stimulate the ovaries to produce eggs, after which through an easy technique, directly injecting processed sperm into the uterus at the time of ovulation. We’d like to take you through the complete procedure, step by step so that you know what to expect. 

Stimulate Egg Growth:

The woman begins taking oral or injectable medications to stimulate the increase and maturation of her eggs. The IUI injection is simply beneath the skin (subcutaneous) and is usually recommended in an area of the body with fat, such as your stomach or the top of the thigh. Oral medicine is taken for five days and injectable medicine is typically taken for 8-12 days based on how the ovaries respond. 

Ultrasound & Blood Monitoring:

While on injectable medicine, brief ultrasound appointments are required every 2-3 days to track the ovaries and egg development. Blood tests also are done to check hormone levels associated with egg growth and ovarian function. Through this testing and monitoring, we make sure everything is progressing safely. 

Ovulation Induced:

Once a “ripe” egg is present, a patient gets a “trigger shot” that triggers ovulation within about 36 hours. The shot self-administered at home or at the clinic is given by a nurse. 

Sperm Sample Processed:

The male partner gives a sperm sample or a donor sperm sample is thawed, after which processed in a laboratory. During preparation, the sperm sample is “washed” to cut debris, motionless sperm and substances in semen that would cause intense cramping. The sperm cells are quite concentrated in a small volume. 

Insemination Procedure:

Just like an ordinary pelvic examination, a woman lies on an examination table. The sperm sample is injected into the uterus via a thin, long, bendy catheter. The complete procedure is virtually painless and takes seconds to complete. Getting up quickly after the procedure will not affect the chances of pregnancy. On a few occasions, insemination can be encouraged for 2 days in a row, yet, in most cases, single well-timed insemination is all that is required in each cycle. 

Follow-Up:

A week after ovulation, progesterone levels are regularly tested. For some patients, extra hormone aid (like progesterone) can be recommended to help put together the uterine lining for pregnancy. Progesterone help is often used for women with recurrent miscarriages. 

Extra Testing:

About weeks after IUI treatment, a follow-up blood exam determines if pregnancy has resulted. 

How much does IUI treatment cost?

The cost to pursue IUI treatment can range based on your location and specific needs. The University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics states that the cost of IUI treatment normally ranges from person to person after diagnosis. The total IUI treatment price will consist of the cost of fertility medications. Extra expenses may consist of ultrasounds, lab testing, and semen analysis. 

Some insurance companies will cover portions of the cost of fertility treatments. You can be able to talk with a billing or insurance expert at your physician’s office. They assist you to understand the costs and payment options for the IUI fertility treatment. 

The Takeaway

If the IUI treatment does not provide you with positive results, the next natural step is to go for the IVF procedure, which offers up to an 80% chance of success in impregnation with modern advent. So dear readers, do not lose heart and hope. The blessing of medical science has made the impossible possible. It is only a matter of time before you’ll hold your baby in your arms. 

FAQs 

1. What is Intrauterine Insemination treatment?

It is one of the most commonly used assisted reproductive procedures. Normally, the sperms swim via the woman’s reproductive organs (cervix, uterus, and fallopian tube) to reach the egg. Once the sperm fuses with the egg an embryo develops and grows in the course of pregnancy into a fetus. 

2. When is IUI Technique used? 

It is a treatment option in the situations such as unexplained infertility, when there’s a cervical condition preventing being pregnant including a cervical mucus problem, cervical scar tissue from past procedures which could restrict the sperms’ capacity to enter the uterus and ejaculation dysfunction with ovulation induction. 

3. What is the IUI procedure step by step? 

In the IUI process, a semen sample will be washed through the lab to split the semen from the seminal fluid. Then, to insert the sperm directly into the uterus, a catheter will be used. The complete method takes only some minutes and you could feel little pain. 

4. What are the risks concerned with IUI treatment? 

With ovulation induction, the possibilities of becoming pregnant with multiples are increased. There is also a small chance of infection after IUI. 

5. How successful is an IUI procedure? 

The success of IUI treatment relies upon several factors. If a couple has the IUI procedure done each month, success rates may also reach as high as 20-25% per cycle depending on variables such as female age, the cause for infertility, and whether has been used, among other variables.