Comparatively cheaper and a less invasive fertility treatment than in vitro fertilization, intrauterine insemination involves injecting sperm directly into the woman’s uterus to assist in insemination and fertilization. It is a modern version of artificial insemination, which is one of the oldest forms of fertility treatments. Before the procedure is conducted, fertility hormones are usually administered to the woman in order to boost egg production, which, in turn, increases the chances of conception; this is called a stimulated cycle. However, if the woman is not (entirely) infertile and can ovulate naturally, then there is no need to use the said drugs (unstimulated cycle).
Intrauterine Insemination Benefits
IUI essentially gives couples that are unable to conceive children direct assistance to do so. Whether either of one of you is unable to have sex due to injuries and disabilities, or your husband is suffering from low sperm count or low sperm motility, intrauterine insemination is one of the best treatment options that you can choose to promote the possibility of pregnancy.
Even if this is the case, though, intrauterine insemination still has a few essential requirements. One is that the woman should have a healthy fallopian tube. Any severe or major infections of the fallopian tube would render the procedure useless. Pelvic infections, if the woman has a history of it, have the same effect as well.
How the Best Intrauterine Insemination Treatment is Performed
Once ovulation has begun (natural or stimulated by fertility drugs), the developing eggs will be regularly examined so as to determine whether they are ready for IUI. The best sign that indicates ovulation is about to occur is when secretion of the LH or luteinising hormone in the woman increases. There are also various ways to check when ovulation would start like ultrasounds and blood tests, as well as a special ovulation predictor kit. The intrauterine insemination is then conducted the minute ovulation begins.
The sperm that is injected is extracted from the man’s seminal fluid; only the best ones are chosen (termed as washing). The doctor will utilize a catheter, which he will insert through the vagina and cervix then deposit the sperm directly into the uterus (near the fallopian tube).
Intrauterine Insemination (IUI), Best #Treatment Option for #Infertility https://t.co/xpCrvpUN4d #WomenHealth pic.twitter.com/cGulGhQ2Zy
— Zigverve.com (@zigverve) November 17, 2015
The treatment is very straightforward and only takes a few minutes to do, which makes it one of the quickest fertility methods today. The timing of the insemination is very important, though, so both you and your spouse should be ready to provide the necessary requirements of the treatment the minute it is about to be done. After the insemination has been deemed successful, the woman is asked to rest for a few days.
Minimal Risks
Intrauterine Insemination has relatively fewer risks than its counterparts. The only thing that the couple should be worried about is the high chance of multiple births especially in a stimulated cycle. Multiple births have higher chances of miscarriages and premature births. The side effects of hormonal drugs (ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome), if they are used, would also have to be taken into consideration. However, these are the only significant threats that the couple should be mindful of when opting for IUI, making it one of the safest fertility treatments available at present as well.
