If you’re considering intrauterine insemination (IUI), it’s important to learn all you can about this fertility treatment. With IUI, the sperm bypass the cervix, which is the main site of sperm antibody production.
The IUI process
IUI is probably the simplest form of ART available. Intrauterine insemination is used in cases of male factor infertility to improve the number of sperm reaching the site of fertilization. The IUI process includes the following steps:
- Male semen analysis
- Monitoring of female ovulation
- Obtaining the sperm sample
- Washing and preparing the sperm sample
- Injection of the prepared sample into the uterus
Increased chance of conception with IUI
Your chances of a successful fertilization and pregnancy are increased with intrauterine insemination. As your doctor injects the sperm sample into your uterus and fallopian tubes, this gives the sperm a boost – or head start – toward their job of fertilizing the egg.
With IUI, the chances of you conceiving are especially improved if you and/or your partner have:
- Unexplained infertility
- Low sperm count
- Poor sperm movement
- Female cervical mucus problems
- A desire to use donor sperm
- A desire to use a surrogate to conceive
If you are a female over 35, and have age-related infertility, IUI may help you conceive, especially when it’s used simultaneously with other fertility medications. Men that have undergone varicocele treatment and are still infertile may opt for IUI.
Fertility pills and IUI
Sometimes doctors choose to use fertility drugs to boost the chances of conception with intrauterine insemination. If you take fertility medications before treatment, your doctor will monitor you closely from time of ovulation to the time of insemination.
One medication, human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), may be injected to stimulate ovulation for IUI. HCG helps the eggs mature so they will be released at the right time. Intrauterine insemination will take place about 24-48 hours later.
Another commonly-used fertility drug used is gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), which is used to reduce the chances of premature ovulation, which can negatively affect IUI.
Some women take clomiphene citrate (cc) such as Clomid. This drug stimulates ovulation, which boosts the success rates of IUI.
What is sperm washing?
Before IUI is performed, sperm have to be removed from the seminal fluid and concentrated. This process of sperm preparation is called “washing.” Sperm washing removes prostaglandins and other chemicals and also activates the sperm, which increases the ability to fertilize the egg.
Washing the sperm also prepares the sample for injection and helps to minimize cramping that may occur after IUI. The washing also concentrates the sperm into a high volume, which will boost your chances of pregnancy.
IUIand retrograde ejaculation
Some infertile men have a problem with retrograde or backwards ejaculation. With this problem, semen flows into the bladder during ejaculation, rather than out through the penis.
If this happens to your partner, your doctor may be able to extract sperm from his bladder to obtain the sperm sample. Later that sperm can be used during intrauterine insemination.
Using donor sperm with IUI
You may be interested in using donor sperm during intrauterine insemination. If your partner lacks sperm, has a low sperm count or poor sperm quality, you may opt for donor sperm.
You may consider using donor sperm with IUI if your partner has a genetic disorder that you don’t want to pass down to your children. Also, single women and lesbian couples often choose to use donor sperm with IUI so they can have children.
When choosing a donor, you will first identify a potential sperm bank. The sperm bank will allow you to screen sperm donors based on characteristics like appearance, ethnicity/race, career and education, and the donor’s family’s health and medical records.
There are strict guidelines as to how donor sperm may be used during IUI. Donor sperm will be screened for a large number of viruses and genetic health conditions, including HIV.
Then, donor sperm samples are quarantined and frozen for six months before use. After that time, the donor will be tested again to make sure there are no health concerns with his sperm.
You will also be tested for certain conditions if you use donor sperm during IUI. You doctor will want to be sure your body will not attack or reject the donated sperm.
While IUI is a simple treatment, it can have a major significance in helping you to conceive. Talk to your doctor today to see if you are a good candidate for intrauterine insemination.
Sources: American Fertility Association: “Gay Man, Gay Dad: Gay Men Can Become Fathers” American Pregnancy Association: “Intrauterine Insemination: IUI” American Society for Reproductive Medicine: “Infertility: An Overview: A Guide for Patients” “Report on varicocele and infertility” “Medications for Inducing Ovulation: A Guide for Patients” “Third Party Reproduction: A Guide for Patients” American Urological Association Foundation: “Management of Male Infertility” Dr. Scott Roseff (From International Council on Infertility Information Dissemination, Inc): “Overview of Fertility Medications” Resolve: “Intrauterine Insemination” “Medical Aspects of Donor Insemination”
