IUI: Intrauterine Insemination

To become pregnant, the sperm must first enter the cervix through the vagina (the narrowest pathway into the lower part of the uterus) and then through the body (inside) of the uterus and the fallopian tube in order to meet the ovaries that are ovulated and become fertilized.

The number of spermatozoa that can pass through the narrow cervix is limited. Artificial insemination is a method of cleaning and concentrating sperms and putting them directly in the uterus. This eliminates the need of the thin pathways that sperms previously needed to go through in order to reach the egg, allowing more sperms to reach the egg.

You may visit your doctor at any time during your menstrual cycle during your first visit. However in order to complete basic fertility examinations it will take one whole cycle.

If a male sperm test results in slightly less-than-average sperm count, artificial insemination can help as sperm processing, which is performed during the preparation of artificial insemination, can make the sperm more active and reduce the amount of low agility/ abnormally shaped sperm.

By using ovulation induction agents and preparing several good quality eggs, artificial insemination can effectively increase the pregnancy rate.

In case of losing fertility through testicular surgery, radiation or chemotherapy, or vasectomy, the male partner may have frozen his sperm in advance. In this case, you can choose the method of artificial insemination when you want to conceive later.

Artificial insemination is a relatively simple and safe procedure, and the potential for serious side effects is low, but the following side effects may be present.

There is a possibility of infections in the ovaries, fallopian tubes and uterus after artificial fertilization.

Cervical hemorrhage may occur during the process of placing a tube in the uterus. However, the presence of vaginal bleeding does not mean that pregnancy rates are falling.

Artificial insemination itself does not mean that multiple pregnancies (twins, triplets ...) increase. However, if multiple oocytes are released using a superovulation induction agent, the probability of multiple pregnancies will increase. Multi-fetal pregnancy increases the risk of preterm labor or low birth weight, compared to when only one baby is pregnant, so we try to keep the number of oocytes ovulated to appropriate amount (2 to 4).

For women, periodic ultrasonography or urinary hormone test kit is used to identify the ovulation period in order to predict the time of ovulation. Injections may be given to help the ovulation at more precise time.

Artificial insemination will be performed on the day ovulation time is determined. To do this, the male partner must submit his semen (or the sperm that was previously frozen). Because some parts of the semen other than the sperm can interfere with fertilization, the collected semen will be cleaned and separated, while the sperm are concentrated.

FArtificial insemination approximately takes 5 minutes as patient is placed in the same position as they would when receiving a cervical cancer screening. Thin tube into the uterus will be used to inject the processed sperm into the uterus. After the procedure is complete, it is recommended to take a rest in a relaxed posture and return home. Normal daily life activities will not affect pregnancy rate. Small amount of bleeding may be present for 2-3 days from the day of the procedure.