Infertility Treatment with IUI
When is IUI used? ➤
IUI is a fertility treatment often selected by couples who have been trying to conceive for at least one year with no success. IUI may be selected as a fertility treatment with any of the following conditions:
➤ Unexplained infertility
➤ Low sperm count
➤ Decreased sperm mobility
➤ Requirement of donor sperm
➤ A hostile cervical condition, such as cervical mucus that is too thick
➤ Cervical scar tissue from past procedures or endometriosis
➤ Ejaculation dysfunction
➤ IUI provides the sperm an advantage by giving it a head start, but still requires a sperm to reach and fertilize the egg on its own.
How does IUI work? ➤
The IUI procedure is simple and may be performed even if the woman is not receiving medication to improve her egg production. Many physicians will encourage women to take medications to stimulate the ovaries to increase egg production in order to improve the chance of achieving pregnancy. An ultrasound will be used to monitor the size of the follicles (follicles develop into eggs). Inj HCG is administered to stimulate the release of eggs from the follicles.
A semen sample will be washed by the lab to separate the semen from the seminal fluid. A catheter is used to inject the processed sperm directly into the uterus. This process maximizes the number of sperm cells that are placed in the uterus, thus increasing the possibility of conception. The IUI procedure takes little time and involves minimal discomfort.
