IUI

IUI (Intrauterine insemination) is a popular fertility treatment that involves placing sperm inside a woman’s uterus to facilitate fertilization. It is not complicated and less expensive by increasing the chances of becoming pregnant by 10 -15% per cycle . (*Note: The success rate depends on each woman's age range.)

IUI is one method of treating infertility which is very popular in mild cases and the female is not too old. For example, the woman who had the ovulation and couple with unexplained infertility. By this process, there must be sperm selection by removing white blood cells, dead sperm and secretions left only high concentration sperms that swim well to be injected inside a woman’s uterus. This will increase the chances of sperm being able to find eggs. Thus, increasing the chances of fertilization.

How does IUI different from normal sexual intercourse?

In natural sexual intercourse, the secreted sperms are mostly in the vagina. Not all of them are able to swim through the cervix into the uterus due to the cervical mucus and vaginal acid destroying sperms. Resulting in the low number sperms surviving and swim through the uterus, but the IUI is to inject semen directly into the uterus. Thus, increasing the number of sperm that can swim to eggs comparing to natural sexual intercourse.

Sperm preparation

The man has to see a doctor on the day of the IUI appointment to collect semen and must refrain from having sexual intercourse for 2-7 days. After that, doctors and specialized scientists will screen the sperm and select only sperms that are still alive and well-moving to inject into the uterus. This procedure takes about 1-2 hours to prepare.

Determination of the ovulation date for the woman

Generally menstrual cycle of a woman come every 28-32 days, with ovulation approximately 14 days before the next menstruation. Once ovulation occurs, the egg can only survive for 24 hours.

1. The doctor will stimulate the ovaries to develop the growth of the eggs in that menstrual cycle more than 1 by using injections or oral medication.
2. Use ultrasound to monitor the size, number of eggs and the thickness of the endometrium.
3. When the eggs are in the right size, the doctor will stimulate ovulation.
4. After about 36-40 hours, it will be the time of ovulation. The doctor will make an appointment again to inject the sperm into the uterus on the day of the ovulation.
5. Visiting the doctor only 3-4 times per cycle.

How much are the chances of success?

The injection of sperm into the uterus is considered the most popular method as it is easy, not complicated and less expensive, but the chances of success are not high. The success rate is 10-15% higher than natural methods per cycle*. This method is usually successful within 4-6 cycles of treatment but if still unsuccessful, it should be re-evaluated the cause or consider the next treatment method. * Note: The success rate depends on each woman's age.

Ideal couple for IUI treatment of infertility

The male must not have severe problems with sperms, for example, must have high number of sperm, swim well and having normal shape. No problems with ejaculation and can collect sperm on his own.

The female fallopian tubes are not blocked on both side or having one side normal. Age is not too high, such as more than 40 years, because the chances of success are greatly reduced. No problem with severe cervical stenosis because it cannot be injected easily, very painful when injecting and less chance of success.

Men's and Women's couple with unexplained infertility.

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