Intrauterine Insemination or IUI is a procedure where highly motile sperms are injected into the uterus around the time of ovulation in women with patent fallopian tubes. The concept of IUI is to make sure there is a sufficient number of sperms available near the fallopian tube when the egg is released from the ovary during the time of ovulation.
Indications for IUI
- Couple who have failed to conceive with Ovulation induction
- Men with low sperm count
- Women with Mild endometriosis
- Couple with Unexplained infertility
- IUI with Donor Sperm
How is it done?
IUI can be done in a natural cycle or a stimulated cycle.
IUI in a stimulated cycle is usually done from Day 2-3 of the menstrual cycle. Hormonal therapy is given and follicle growth is monitored at frequent intervals. Once the desired number and sizes of the follicle/Egg are attained, ovulation is initiated by Hcg injection and IUI is planned accordingly.
When is it performed?
IUI is usually done 32-36 hours after hCG injection once ovulation is documented on the scan.
Men are advised to give a semen sample on the day of the IUI procedure, the semen sample is washed as it contains dead cells and pus cells in it. The sample is later processed with a swim-up technique wherein only highly motile sperms are collected into the catheter and loaded for Insemination into the uterus.
Women during the procedure are advised to lie down in lithotomy position, under proper aseptic precautions, a speculum is inserted into the vagina and the cervix is fixed. The catheter is then passed slowly inside the uterus through the cervical opening, the sperms are deposited near the fundal part of the uterus. Women are advised to rest for 15 min post-procedure.
IUI is an OPD procedure with no downtime.
Pregnancy is confirmed after 15 days post-procedure through a BHCG test.
Side effects
As such IUI is a minor OPD procedure with minimal or no risk factors. The minimal risks include spotting, backache and vaginal discharge.
Contraindications of IUI
- IUI cannot be performed in certain conditions like
- Bilateral Tubal block
- Cervical atresia
- Cervicitis
- Severe Oligospermia