Intrauterine Insemination (IUI)
Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) is a fertility treatment that involves placing sperm inside a woman’s uterus to facilitate fertilization. The goal of IUI is to increase the number of sperms that reach the fallopian tubes and subsequently enhance the chance of fertilization. IUI provides the sperm an advantage by giving it a head start, but still requires it to reach and fertilize the egg on its own. It is a less invasive and less expensive option compared to In-vitro Fertilization.
When is IUI used?
- The most common reasons for IUI are a low sperm count or decreased sperm motility.
Who might benefit?
- IUI can help couples where the male partner has a low sperm count or poor motility (the ability of the sperm to move), as long as there are sufficient levels of healthy, motile sperm to make the treatment worthwhile.
- As sperm is placed directly inside the female’s uterus, IUI can also help couples who are unable to have intercourse because of disability, injury, ejaculation dysfunction or difficulties, e.g., remature ejaculation.
- It is also recommended for women with mild Endometriosis and hostile cervical condition, including cervical mucus problems.
- IUI may be selected as a fertility treatment for the condition of cervical scar tissue from past procedures, which may hinder the sperms ability to enter the uterus.
- It is used as the first line of assisted conception, treatment for couples with unexplained infertility.
Success Rates
- Success rates depend on the causes of female and male partner’s infertility and age.
- Success rates also depend on the partner’s overall sperm count. Typically, the lowest sperm count to be used with sperm washing is one million, however, success rates are significantly lower if the sperm count falls beneath five to ten million. The best sperm counts for use with sperm washing are those between 20 and 30 million.
- The success rate for IUI with fertility drugs is about 15% per cycle.
