IUI Treatment
IUI is a fertility treatment used to increase the chances of pregnancy by introducing the sperm directly into the womb. IUI (also referred to as artificial insemination) is a treatment that can prove effective when dealing with or sperm-related issues. The IUI laboratory procedure helps to separate agile sperm from sluggish or non-motile sperm before introducing the sperm into the woman’s womb during ovulation (egg release), thus improving the chances of pregnancy.
Why Do I Need Fertility Treatment?
IUI is a useful treatment that can improve the chances of pregnancy when it cannot be achieved by regular, unprotected intercourse. Infertility in this case, may be simply due to the inability of the sperm and the egg to meet naturally. IUI solves this problem by shortening the sperm’s “journey” by transporting it directly to the uterus. Here are a few scenarios in which IUI can help.
- when there is a problem with cervical mucus
- when vaginal intercourse is difficult or impossible
- when male-factor infertility is involved such as a low sperm count
- when you’re using sperm from a donor
In any of these cases, IUI can be quite effective. After ejaculation has occurred during regular unprotected intercourse, the sperm cells must make their way up through the cervical mucus lining the cervix (entrance to the womb), to the uterus. When the concentration of the mucus is too high and, or the sperm count is low, the sperm is unable to make its way into the uterus and upward into the fallopian tube where fertilisation normally takes place.
IUI solves this problem by injecting moving sperm directly into the uterus at the time of ovulation. The sperm can make their way into the fallopian tube and fertilise the released egg(s). Although the IUI treatment increases the amount of sperm available for fertilisation, it is noteworthy that the treatment may not be effective for patients with abnormal or very low sperm counts.
How Long Does It Take?
Treatment typically commences on the first day of your monthly period. Insemination takes place between days 10-14 and pregnancy can be confirmed two weeks after the insemination procedure. So, from the start of the treatment to the point where you receive your pregnancy test results, the process takes approximately four weeks.
(Please note, every person we treat will have different requirements and might take longer than stated above.)
The Five Steps Of IUI Process
IUI treatment typically takes place in five steps, but this may vary depending on individual requirements. Here’s a breakdown of the process:
1. Ultrasound Scan
On the first day of your period, you will be asked to report at our clinic for an ultrasound scan, which is done with the aid of a vaginal probe . The purpose of the scan is to confirm that you are ready for the drug treatment.
2.Ovary Stimulation
The drug treatment commences immediately after the scan on day one and you will be given a hormonal drug (by injection), which will stimulate your ovaries to produce one or more follicles (egg-bearing sac). This drug treatment will continue as daily injections which can be self-administered.
3. Further Check-Up
Once the drugs have been started, you will be monitored regularly using vaginal ultrasound scans.. This is to monitor the development of the follicles. Once a follicle is reaching maturity, you will be given another drug, which you will also inject daily. This drug is to ensure that the eggs are not released before the day of your IUI procedure.
4. Collection of Sperm Sample
On the day of the IUI, the male partner will need to produce a sperm sample, so that the sample can be prepared for insemination. To ensure that high-quality semen is available, it is recommended that the man abstains from sexual intercourse for 3-5 days. If frozen sperm or donor sperm is being used then this will be thawed on the day of the IUI procedure.
5.Insemination
Insemination takes place on the same day as sperm collection. A speculum will be inserted into the vagina to visualise the cervix. The cervix will be cleaned. A fine catheter containing the sperm is then inserted through the cervix into the uterus and the sperm injected.
Why Choose
Families are at the centre of our lives and for many of us there is nothing more important than having a family of our own, however for 1 in 7 of us the dream of becoming parents cannot be realised without specialist support.
Here at Oxford Reproductive Medicine, we understand how confusing and emotional this reality can be, so we combine the highest levels of personalised patient care with access to the country’s premier treatment centres.
We bring premier UK centres in reach of those who want the best treatment. Our team of experts will manage the majority of your treatment at a local centre leaving you to choose which of the UK’s leading clinics you would like to complete the collection and implantation.