What is IUI Treatment: Procedure, Preparation, and Risks

Intrauterine insemination (IUI) is a fertility process where a doctor gently places prepared sperm directly into the uterus using a thin, flexible tube. You might also hear it referred to as donor insemination, artificial insemination, or alternative insemination.
The goal of IUI treatment is to improve the chances of pregnancy by helping more healthy sperm get closer to the egg, right when you’re most fertile.

In a natural cycle, sperm have to make a long journey from the vagina, through the uterus and cervix, and up into the fallopian tubes. IUI helps by skipping some of that trip and placing the best sperm right inside the uterus, giving them a better shot at meeting the egg and starting a pregnancy.

IUI offers potential benefits for:

• Couples facing infertility caused by conditions like endometriosis or low sperm count/quality
• Couples with unexplained infertility
• Same-sex female couples using donor sperm
• Single women choosing to conceive with donor sperm
• Women with a semen allergy

IUI is a popular treatment option because it is a less invasive and lower-cost alternative to IVF.

Preparation for the IUI Procedure

If you are wondering how intrauterine insemination (IUI) works, refer to the following steps.

1. Tracking Ovulation

Since timing plays a vital role in IUI, monitoring ovulation is essential. You may use an at-home urine ovulation predictor kit to witness a surge in luteinizing hormone (LH), which initiates the release of an egg. Alternatively, your doctor might perform a transvaginal ultrasound to track egg development and monitor the ovaries. Sometimes, your doctor may give you an injection of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) to trigger ovulation at the right time.

2. Timing the Procedure

IUI typically takes place one to two days after signs of ovulation appear. Your healthcare provider will give you a clear schedule to follow, ensuring the insemination occurs during your most fertile window.

3. Preparing the Sperm Sample

On the day of the procedure, your partner will provide a fresh semen sample at the clinic, or the medical team will thaw a vial of frozen donor sperm. The lab then performs “sperm washing” on the sample to isolate the healthiest, most active sperm. This process removes low-quality sperm and any substances that might trigger uterine cramping. Using a concentrated sample of high-quality sperm boosts the chances of successful fertilization.

IUI Treatment: How it is Done?

You may take fertility medications to help make your eggs mature and ready to be fertilized before undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF). Your doctor will do the insemination procedure during your ovulation period. Sometimes, you will be given hormones that can cause ovulation. The fertility specialist will be able to determine when you are most likely to conceive and will take appropriate measures to increase your chances of conception.

Your partner or donor collects a semen sample at home or in the doctor’s clinic. The sperm is prepared for insemination by being washed to remove a concentrated amount of healthy sperm. Sperm washing also helps eliminate chemicals that can cause reactions in your uterus and make it harder to get pregnant. If you’re using donor sperm from a sperm bank, the sperm bank will usually send the doctor’s office sperm that has been “washed” and is ready for in vitro fertilization.

The doctor will slide a thin, flexible tube through your cervix into your uterus during the IUI procedure. Then, they use a small needle to inject sperm directly into your uterus. Pregnancy happens when a sperm fertilizes an egg, and the fertilized egg implants in the lining of your uterus.

The insemination process is done at a doctor’s office or a fertility clinic and typically takes about 5-10 minutes. It’s fast, and you don’t need anaesthesia. IUI is usually painless, but some people may experience mild cramping.

What are the Risks of IUI?

There is a small chance of getting an infection following the IUI procedure. However, your doctor will use sterile instruments, so infection is infrequent.

If medications are used to induce ovulation, there is a risk of pregnancy with more than one baby. Since fertility medications can cause more than one egg to be released, they can also lead to multiple pregnancies. Your doctor will try to balance the amount and type of medication, as well as bloodwork and ultrasound monitoring, to prevent too many eggs from being released at one time.

Sometimes, fertility medications can cause the ovaries to over-respond, leading to ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome. Many eggs may be ready to be released at one time. This can lead to an enlarged ovary, abdominal fluid accumulation, and cramping. Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) can occasionally lead to fluid buildup in the chest and abdomen, kidney problems, blood clots, and ovary twisting.

If you are currently taking fertility medications for IUI and experience any of the following symptoms, you should call your doctor immediately.

• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Sudden weight gain
• Shortness of breath
• Nausea and vomiting
• Severe abdominal or pelvic pain
• A sudden increase in abdominal size

Common Side Effects of IUI

Some people experience some mild side effects from fertility medications. The most common side effects after insemination are cramping and spotting. The process of IUI can be challenging both mentally and physically. Many couples or individuals struggling with infertility issues and seeking assisted reproductive technologies often experience depression. If you are feeling down or overwhelmed, talk to your healthcare provider so they can help you through the process.

Frequently Asked Questions