Intrauterine insemination (IUI) is a fertility therapy option that many infertile couples seek. Sperm is directly placed into the woman’s uterus during the minimally invasive process, improving the chances of successful fertilization. Before scheduling an IUI infertility treatment, read the details given below.
Why Do You Need IUI?
One in eight couples experiences infertility or failure to become pregnant after a year (or 6 months of trying if the female is over 35 years old). Since IUI is less expensive and intrusive than In Vitro Fertilization, it is likely the first choice of couples dealing with infertility. Tanmoy Mukherjee, M.D., a board-certified gynecologist and reproductive endocrinologist who serves as co-director of Reproductive Medicine Associates of New York, claims that some insurance companies want numerous rounds of IUI before approving IVF. He said, “we normally attempt IUI 3 or 4 times, then if the therapy is unsuccessful, we continue onto IVF,” he says.
Various reasons encourage couples to have IUI, but male reproductive issues are the most common. A Male’s fertility can depend on several factors, including the number of sperm present in semen, sperm mobility and motility. Experts say around 10 MM sperms should be present per cubic centimeter in the ejaculate. Also, 40–50% of sperm must swim properly for a successful pregnancy. Medical practitioners define these parameters as sperm count, motility, and mobility.
Apart from the male inability to get their partner pregnant, other causes couples go for IUI infertility treatment in Chandigarh and other cities are-:
- Cervical mucus that is too thick and prevents sperm from reaching the uterus
- Miscellaneous causes of infertility
- Infertility caused by endometriosis
- The use of donor sperm for any purpose. For instance, persons in LGBTQ partnerships and single parents who have poor sperm quality or want to prevent genetic defects may rely on donor sperm.
The sperm cannot travel through a blocked tube. Hence women with blocked tubes are not candidates for IUI- They’ll require In Vitro Fertilization.
How To Prepare For IUI Treatment?
Sometimes a woman would take drugs like Clomid or letrozole to induce ovulation in order to get ready for IUI. Endocrinologists use these medications to stimulate the ovaries to generate two to three eggs more often. They thought that if the first egg didn’t ovulate, perhaps the second or third one will.
You could choose an unmedicated IUI if you don’t have any issues ovulating naturally or if you’re having an IUI for non-medical reasons, such as being single or in a same-sex relationship. The best infertility doctor could advise an over-the-counter ovulation kit in this situation to assist in timing the insemination.
Remember that there may be dangers with these drugs for multiple. IUIs reportedly do not improve your likelihood of becoming pregnant with multiple gestations. Your likelihood might be increased by the medications you use in conjunction with IUI. According to another study, 92 percent of women who become pregnant using medicated IUI experience a single gestation, whereas 8 percent have multiple pregnancies.
What To Expect During Intrauterine Insemination?
IUI is best done 12 to 24 hours before ovulation, which is when an egg is most likely to be released. This time frame ensures that the injected sperm is prepared for the egg’s entry and may live for five days in the reproductive system.
According to the infertility healthcare practitioner, this procedure must immediately follow the patient’s regular period cycle. Women should try it once every month until they get positive results. Doctors require a sample of the potential father’s semen if you are not utilizing donor sperm. The preparation of the semen for IUI takes around an hour. You must first separate sperm from seminal fluid since you cannot insert semen directly into the uterus. Prostaglandins are abundant in seminal fluid and result in excruciatingly painful uterine contractions. Endocrinologists process semen and inseminate sperm in that manner.
The sperm is then combined with a little amount of liquid and loaded into a syringe on a thin, pen-tip-sized catheter as the next step. The sperm will be released once the doctor inserts it into the vagina and guides it until it reaches the uterus. This process takes a few minutes, and patients don’t need medication.
A woman should watch out for early symptoms of pregnancy after an IUI therapy. Results of a home pregnancy test are usually available in two weeks. If an IUI doesn’t work, you may attempt IUI again rather than turning to alternative procedures like IVF. On the other hand, if the outcome is positive, arrange an OB ultrasound.
Minor Side Effect Of IUI
After IUI, you can feel minor spotting and light cramps. A woman can become infected in extremely rare circumstances. However, it has been stated that the likelihood of infection is less than 0.5 percent. Within 24 hours of IUI, see a doctor if you feel heated, have an odd vaginal discharge, or have discomfort. The best infertility specialist in Punjab or any other state will probably recommend you take antibiotics.
IUI Success Rate
The success of IUI varies depending on the mother’s age (younger moms have a greater success rate), the quality of the sperm, and the fallopian tube abnormalities. Preparing fertility drugs before an IUI operation might boost pregnancy chances.
IUI success rates are as follows:
- Male-factor infertility IUI: 8–10% of cycles are successful.
- IUI success rates for tubal infertility are 5% every cycle.
- 18–20% success rate of IUI for unexplained infertility.
With each consecutive IUI cycle, the likelihood of becoming pregnant rises. After three or four IUI cycles, if you are still not pregnant, your doctor could suggest in vitro fertilization (IVF).
Conclusion:
Because IUI is pretty less invasive, it’s more affordable than other procedures offered by the best infertility clinics. Be ready to pay around 12000 Rs to 20,000 Rs without insurance. However, in case you need donor sperm, you need to pay the extra money per bottle of sperm. In addition, blood tests, medicines, and ultrasounds also increase the cost ofIUI infertility treatment.
Originally published at https://blogstreat.com on September 21, 2022.