IUI - Intrauterine insemination
Also known as artificial insemination, it is a fertility procedure in which sperm are washed, concentrated and injected directly into a woman’s uterus. The most common indications for IUI are cervical mucus abnormalities, low sperm count, low sperm motility, increased sperm viscosity or antisperm antibodies, unexplained infertility, and the need to use frozen donor sperm. In natural intercourse, only a fraction of the sperm pass through the woman’s cervical mucus into the uterus.
IUI increases the number of sperm in the fallopian tubes, where fertilization takes place. Studies show that IUI, or artificial insemination, is most successful when combined with fertility drugs that recruit multiple follicles. This technique is often referred to as controlled ovarian stimulation and IUI. IUI is sometimes recommended for couples with unspecified infertility who have been trying to have a baby for six to 12 months. You must have a thorough infertility evaluation before trying IUI.
Benefits and success rates of IUI
Success rates of superovulation (from hormonal treatment) with IUI are between 5 and 20 percent per cycle (depending on the woman’s age and egg quality) as long as the male partner’s sperm count is within normal limits and the female’s tubes are healthy.
The use of hMG or FSH either alone or in combination with intrauterine insemination has been shown to significantly increase cycle fertility. In general, the best results are seen when these drugs are used in conjunction with IUI.
Male partner
requirements for IUI
IUI is based on the natural ability of sperm to fertilize an egg in the fallopian tubes. Studies show that IUI will not be effective in cases where the male has low sperm counts or poor sperm shape (also known as sperm morphology). Therefore, sperm testing is required to indicate:
- Sperm count (number of sperm per cc).
- Sperm motility (percentage of moving spermatozoa)
- Sperm morphology (shape)
In addition, California state law requires that the male (or female) partner must have a blood test to rule out certain infectious diseases.
Female patient
requirements for IUI
The patient must have normal day 3 blood test results, open fallopian tubes and a normal uterine cavity.
- Women with ovulatory disorders may be candidates for iUI if they respond adequately to fertility medications. In these cases, hormonal treatments stimulate follicle growth and IUI is timed to take place after ovulation is induced.
- Hormonal treatments are generally used even for women without an ovulatory disorder.
- Women with mild endometriosis may benefit from IUI if they do not have a distortion of the pelvic structures.
- Women with severely damaged or blocked fallopian tubes are not candidates for IUI.
IVF cycles need some adjustment in ovarian stimulation and postponing embryo transfer is one of the different strategies to effectively prevent ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome.
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