Intrauterine Insemination
From LoveToKnow Pregnancy
Intrauterine insemination provides hope to many couples who have been unable to conceive on their own.
What is Intrauterine Insemination?
Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) has been around for decades, though it was previously known as artificial insemination. It is often the first step in assisted reproductive techniques for couples who have been unsuccessfully trying to conceive for at least a year.
IUI works by inserting sperm directly into a woman’s uterus. This increases the chances that healthy sperm will be able to reach an egg and fertilize it, resulting in a pregnancy. This is an effective treatment for many couples who suffer from infertility with no known causes. It is also used in women who have endometriosis, thick cervical mucus, and ovulation problems. Women who don’t ovulate regularly are usually given fertility drugs to ensure that an egg is released.
It is also important that the male partner have good sperm quality for intrauterine insemination. IUI can be used to help couples when the male has low sperm count or a decreased motility, but the sperm has to be healthy and viable. If the man’s sperm count is too low or there is a problem with the sperm, donor sperm might be used.
IUI is also an answer for couples who are unable to get pregnant due to the man having certain cancers, impotency, or surgery to the reproductive organs.
How IUI is Performed
Simply put, IUI shortens the distance that sperm needs to travel to reach an egg. During intercourse, sperm needs to travel through the vagina, past the cervix, into the uterus, and then on to reach the egg that is making its way down the fallopian tubes into the uterus. That’s a pretty long route for things that aren’t even visible to the naked eye. Plus, the sperm has to be healthy and still viable by the time it gets there.
When using IUI, healthy sperm is collected ahead of time and washed. This concentrates the number of sperm available, increasing the likelihood of healthy sperm reaching the egg. Doctors will be monitoring the women’s hormone levels so they know when she is going to ovulate. Medications or ultrasounds may be used to make sure that ovulation is happening when they expect it.
On the day of insemination, the sperm is injected into the uterus using a small catheter. This is a painless procedure, though it may be somewhat uncomfortable, similar to having a pelvic exam.
After the insemination process, the woman will typically remain laying down for about 30 minutes. She can then return to work and take part in her regular activities.
Pregnancy tests, both at home and in the doctor’s office, over the following weeks will indicate if the insemination was successful.
Success Rates
Although it seems like a surefire approach to achieving pregnancy, success rates are still not as high as most couples would like. Each attempt at intrauterine insemination has only a 10-20 percent success rate, making it only slightly more effective than regular intercourse. But for couples who are unable to conceive on their own, those are still much better odds.
Most fertility clinics recommend that couples try two or three cycles of IUI. If they do not achieve a pregnancy after those attempts, they may want to consider in vitro fertilization.
Costs
Most insurance companies do not cover the costs of infertility treatments, leaving the couple to pay out of pocket. A number of states are passing laws that require insurance companies to offer coverage and some companies will pay for a part of the costs, but couples should expect to lay out some of their own money.
The cost of IUI varies greatly depending on the type of tests that are used, how much monitoring is involved, and whether or not the women needs to be on ovulation-inducing medication. Generally, couples can expect the bill to be about $3,000 per attempt.
Conclusion
Although not foolproof, IUI is still a great way to conceive for couples who have been struggling with infertility.
Learn More
This page has been accessed 3,171 times. This page was last modified 19:28, 28 October 2007.
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