Intrauterine Insemination (IUI)
Intrauterine Insemination (IUI)
What Is Intrauterine Insemination (IUI)?
Intrauterine insemination (IUI) is a method of assisted reproduction for a couple or a single woman, during which sperm that has undergone special laboratory preparation—aimed at improving its motility and quality—is placed directly into the woman’s uterus.
In Which Cases Can It Help?
● Couples who have been trying to conceive for less than 1.5 years and where the woman is up to 35 years old. The longer the duration of infertility, the lower the chances of success with this method.
● Women with polycystic ovaries, who experience anovulation. In such cases, ovulation induction may be combined—though not always—with insemination in order to improve the chances of fertilisation within a shorter period of time.
● Cases of mild sperm abnormalities, where after preparation a suitable sperm sample is obtained and injected into the uterus.
● Cases where sexual intercourse is not possible, for example due to erectile dysfunction.
● Cases involving sperm donation where the woman is relatively young (<35 years old) and has a good ovarian reserve according to the preliminary fertility evaluation.
● Cases of previous surgery on the cervix where cervical mucus may have been affected. This indication for insemination is difficult to diagnose and therefore insemination is rarely used for this reason.
What Is the Procedure for Insemination?
The
procedure of insemination is performed
at an assisted reproduction centre and is similar to undergoing a
Pap test. Before the procedure begins, the
fertility assessment of the couple should have been completed and the woman’s ovulation should be prepared either through simple monitoring (
ovulation cycle monitoring) or through
medical ovarian stimulation (
ovulation induction). The preparation of the sperm (washing and enhancement) takes approximately 2 hours and afterwards the sperm is delivered directly into the uterus through a thin catheter. The procedure may be accompanied by
ovulation monitoring through ultrasound examinations and blood tests.
Is Insemination Painful?Insemination
is not painful and
does not require anaesthesia.
What Are the Success Rates?
The success rates of insemination are relatively limited, approximately 10–15% per attempt, provided that the conditions mentioned above are met. The chances of success may be higher in couples with younger women and ovulation disorders that are treated with ovulation induction combined with insemination. However, this treatment does not significantly increase the probability of twin pregnancies.
After Insemination
If there are no symptoms after insemination, the woman can immediately continue her daily activities and may also have sexual intercourse the same day.
What Is the Cost of Insemination?
The cost of insemination is relatively low, and prices are adjusted according to the needs of each couple.
The obstetrician surgeon gynaecologist D. Koleskas, M.R.C.O.G., C.C.T., will integrate the use of insemination within the overall infertility management plan for each couple. In general, his view is that the number of insemination attempts should be limited so that valuable time is not lost in achieving the ultimate goal of having a child. For more information about what insemination is, how it is performed, and what results it may offer, please contact the doctor and schedule your appointment.
