Intrauterine Insemination

Intrauterine insemination (IUI), also known as artificial insemination, is the process of placing sperm into the uterus, bypassing the vagina and cervix, and increasing the chances of pregnancy.

What are the steps in IUI?

First, healthy sperm are collected, washed and prepared in the lab. The sperm are then placed into a medium that promotes fertility. Finally, a small catheter is used to transfer the sperm into the uterus.

Who should use IUI?

IUI has been shown to offset mild male factor infertility and improve pregnancy chances in cases of unexplained infertility. It is also frequently used in combination with ovulation induction to maximize the benefits of both methods.

Intrauterine insemination is used most often in couples who have:

  • Unexplained infertility
  • Mild male factor infertility (men with slightly low motile sperm counts)
  • Donor sperm: people requiring donor sperm to conceive
  • Endometriosis-related infertility
  • Cervical factor infertility (when the cervical mucus is too thick, or cervix scarring may impede the sperm’s journey)
  • Ovulatory factor infertility (infertility caused by problems with ovulation, including an absence of ovulation or a reduced number of eggs)
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