Intrauterine Insemination

What is an IUI?

Intrauterine or artificial insemination involves placing a highly-concentrated sperm sample into the uterus during ovulation. Depending on the infertility cause, IUI can be coordinated with your normal cycle or done in conjunction with ovulation induction medications. Each cycle is carefully monitored through office visits, ultrasounds and blood work. Typically, these treatments are covered by insurance. If not, the cost is relatively low for IUI, and it is usually the first step in treatment.

Indications:

This treatment may be recommended for any of the following infertility situations:

• Male Infertility

• Hostile Cervical Mucus

• Unexplained Infertility

• If treatment with fertility drugs alone is not successful

• If a sperm donor is being used

• If sexual pain makes intercourse difficult or not possible

Procedure:

The procedure is pretty simple, It will be done in Your Family Fertility’s clinic. (You do not need to go to the hospital for this procedure.)

If you are using a sperm donor, the donor sperm will be thawed and prepared upon your arrival. If not, your partner will come into the clinic that day with you with a semen sample. the semen sample is done via masturbation, similar to how a semen analysis is done. A collection cup can be picked up at our facility any day before the procedure, and collection can be achieved at home ahead of time (within one hour of procedure) or in our office if you live more than an hour away.

Semen contains more than just sperm. Our embryologist (Rachel) will put the semen through a “washing” procedure that removes impurities, leaving only what’s needed for conception. For the procedure, you will be laying down on a gynecological table. A catheter will be placed in your cervix. You may have some mild cramping, similar to what you might feel during a pap smear, this is normal. The semen will then be transferred into the cervix. Then the catheter is removed and you are done!

What to expect Post-Procedure:

After the procedure, you may be prescribed progesterone. About a week after the IUI, Dr. Dipaola will order blood work (BW). With this she will check your progesterone levels, estrogen, and HCG levels.

14 days post-IUI Dr. Dipaola will order a pregnancy blood test.

You will then wait to find out if the treatment was successful. This is a great time to relax and take care of yourself!