INTRA UTERINE INSEMINATION [IUI]
The process of putting the best lot of specially prepared sperm directly inside the uterus at the expected time of ovulation - egg release is called "Intra Uterine Insemination". In
IUI sperm bypasses the cervical barrier and is put directly inside the uterus.
By IUI sperm is put closer to the fallopian tube, at the time of expected egg release to increase the chance of fertilization resulting in to higher chance of conception.
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
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). The hormone, human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG), is administered to stimulate the release of eggs from the follicles.Women under the age of 35 usually have higher rates of success than women over age 35, but the average success rate for IUI ranges from 10-20% in one cycle. With IUI, as with other methods of artificial insemination, the success rate depends primarily on the health of both the sperm and the woman.
