Intrauterine Insemination (IUI)

What is Intrauterine Insemination?

Intrauterine insemination or IUI is an assisted reproductive technique that works by reducing the distance between the sperm and the mature egg to enhance the chances of fertilization, thereby improving fertility outcomes.

The artificial insemination technique involves the direct injection of a healthy sperm taken from the male partner into the uterus of the female partner.

This way, the sperm does not have to cover a long distance to reach the egg and hence its integrity is preserved.

Who needs Intrauterine Insemination:

Intrauterine insemination technique can be used to achieve pregnancy in various different scenarios, which include:

• Every underlying cause of fertility is not known
• If the female partner has mild endometriosis that is preventing natural conception
• If the female has structural cervical abnormalities
• If the female has problems related to cervical mucus
• If the sperm motility is quite low and it cannot travel efficiently

What are the steps involved in Intrauterine Insemination?

Intrauterine insemination procedure follows and non-invasive approach, which means that you will not feel any pain. There can be mild discomfort and soreness after the procedure.

• Before the procedure is initiated both the male and the female partner are required to undergo certain tests and assessments to ensure they are eligible for the procedure. Once they make sure that you qualify for Intrauterine Insemination, our expert will brief you about the procedure and what to expect.
• Ovulation induction medication may be given to some women to enhance the production of eggs. For others, the procedure may be done during the natural ovulation cycle, without any use of medicine.
• In this case, only the sperm is to be collected. The male partner is provided with a sterilized container to collect the sperm in a private room. In the case of severe male infertility, doctors may resort to procedures like percutaneous epididymal sperm aspiration technique (PESA) or testicular sperm extraction technique (TESE).
• On the day of the procedure when you reach the hospital, the female partner will be made to lie down on the examination table and our expert will gently assess the vaginal canal and cervix.
• A thin long tube is used to introduce the sperm via the vagina, through the cervix and into the uterus. 
• Following the procedure, you will be required to lie down on the table for at least 10 to 30 minutes and then be discharged.
• The pregnancy test can be taken after 2 weeks of performing the procedure.

What are the benefits of Intrauterine Insemination?

Various benefits of intrauterine and examination procedures that make it a trusted and preferred choice of patients include:

• The procedure is non-invasive which means that it is less stressful for your body as compared to other invasive techniques.
• The procedure enhances the chances of conception by reducing the distance between the sperm and the egg.
• Intrauterine insemination does not necessarily require the use of medication for ovulation induction and it can be done during the natural ovulation cycle.