Am I a Candidate for Intrauterine Insemination?
If you are having trouble getting pregnant on your own, or if you plan to use donor sperm to conceive, you may benefit from intrauterine insemination. Below is some basic information about this procedure to help you decide if it is the right option for you.
What is Intrauterine Insemination?
Intrauterine insemination, or IUI, is a common fertility treatment that involves the injection of washed sperm directly into the uterus close to ovulation. This increases the chance that the sperm will reach the egg and lead to conception.
Who Can Benefit from Intrauterine Insemination?
IUI may be the right fertility option for you if you:
- Are trying to conceive with a partner who has low sperm count or low motility.
- Are trying to conceive with a partner who has sexual dysfunction.
- Need to conceive using donor sperm.
What Should I Expect During the IUI Procedure?
Depending on your preferences and the doctor’s recommendations, you may use fertility enhancing medications such as injectable gonadotropins or clomiphene citrate to increase your chances of conception during an IUI cycle. Some women also choose to allow their cycles to progress naturally.
The doctor will schedule your IUI procedure to take place very close to ovulation. Prior to the procedure, sperm will be separated from the male subject’s semen. It will be placed in a small amount of media, drawn into a catheter and injected directly into the uterine cavity. In most cases, you will be able to find out whether the procedure was successful by taking a pregnancy test two weeks later.
What are the Alternatives?
If IUI is not successful, more aggressive fertility treatments are available. The most common example of a more aggressive treatment is in-vitro fertilization. However, in most cases, your doctor will recommend that you attempt at least three cycles of IUI before you move on to IVF.
If you are interested in learning more about IUI or other fertility treatments, please contact New York Reproductive Wellness today.
