Intrauterine insemination or IUI is a form of artificial insemination. In this form of fertility treatment, the sperm are directly inserted into a person's uterus. This is done around the time an ovary releases eggs. The ideal outcome for IUI is for the sperm and egg to combine in the fallopian tube, leading to pregnancy.
This process is typically timed with the female patient's menstrual cycle. However, intrauterine insemination can also be conducted by using fertility medicines that help the ovaries produce eggs. The specific method used depends on the reason for infertility.
The specific reasons for couples choosing intrauterine insemination treatment vary depending on their specific circumstances. That said, there are some common issues that contribute to the use of IUI treatment in Nepal as a preferred method of fertility treatment. Some of these reasons are as follows:
The cervix is an organ that separates the vagina and uterus from each other. The mucus produced by this region typically helps sperm travel from the vagina to the uterus and then to the fallopian tube. However, when the mucus is thick, it can prevent this from happening. Intrauterine Insemination treatment bypasses the cervix and directly transplants the sperm directly into the uterus.
Before the sperm is inserted into the uterus, it is analyzed, and the best sperm is picked. Therefore, IUI treatment rejects the defective sperms and selects the best sperm to be injected into the uterus, completely bypassing the issues associated with the sperms.
IUI is also a preferred method of treatment when using donor sperm. The donated sperms are typically used when the male partner has severe defects with the sperm.
Intrauterine Insemination IUI is also a popular fertility treatment for males partner who cannot sustain an erection. Furthermore, it is also a popular choice for when the male partner cannot ejaculate.
Although rare, some females can be allergic to the semen of the partner's semen. This allergy can cause burning, swelling, and redness in the vagina. Intrauterine insemination does not involve interacting with the semen of the female partner. Therefore, it is a good choice for females with semen allergies.
Intrauterine Insemination IUI treatment is a good choice when the doctors cannot find the cause of the infertility.
The actual insemination process only takes a few minutes. However, preparing for intrauterine insemination can take several weeks. The general time estimation is roughly four to six weeks.
The time estimations are as follows:
There are some key steps before the intrauterine insemination process begins. These key steps are as follows.
Timing is the key in IUI. Therefore, before insemination, the female patients are suggested to check for the signs of ovulation. For this, one can use an at-home urine ovulation predictor kit. This kit detects when the body releases the Luteinizing hormone (LH), which signifies the release of an egg.
After the tests show signs of ovulation, the experts conduct the IUI after one or two days.
The male provides semen sample at the doctor's office. Besides this, the frozen donor sperm can also be thawed and prepared for insemination. The semen is then washed to select only the best sperms and remove the impurities.
Before starting the IUI treatment, you must take some medical tests. Furthermore, the male partner will also be tested. The key tests for the intrauterine insemination process include the following:
The intrauterine insemination process is typically done in the doctor's office and clinic. The actual process only takes a few minutes. However, the process before and after takes a considerable amount of time. Following are the things you can expect in IUI treatment.
You lie on an exam table and put your legs in stirrups during the process. Then a tool called a speculum is used to spread the walls of the vagina. Once this is done, the expert continues with the following process:
After the sperm is placed in our uterus, you can get dressed and do regular activities.
There are a few key points to know if you are pregnant after conducting an IUI treatment. They are as follows.
The typical intrauterine insemination cycle is three cycles before another treatment, like IVF. However, if the age of a female patient is over 40, this amount changes to one cycle of IUI treatment before IVF. Furthermore, in some cases, it is ideal to skip the IUI treatment and go directly to the IVF treatment at a trusted IVF center in Nepal.
Intrauterine insemination (IUI) is a medical procedure, and just like any other medical procedure, it has its own set of risks and benefits. Some of the key ones are as follows:
The specific cost of intrauterine insemination will vary depending on your circumstances. However, at Hardik IVF and Fertility Center, you can get your IUI treatment from Npr 15,000 to Npr 30,000.
After the IUI procedure, you should rest for a day and resume regular activities. Once you pass the two-week mark, you can check for pregnancy.
The key difference between IUI and IVF is that in IUI, the sperm is injected directly into the uterus, while in IVF, the sperm and eggs are combined in a laboratory for fertilization.
You can test for pregnancy within three to six cycles with 10% to 20% IUI success rates on average per cycle.
IUI is typically not a painful process. However, you can face some mild cramping during the process that lasts a few minutes.
IUI has the highest success for unexplained infertility, mild male factor infertility, and other cases where egg/sperm interaction is the main barrier.
IUI or intrauterine insemination is typically done around the time of ovulation.