Intrauterine Insemination- IUI

Intrauterine insemination (IUI) is a common fertility treatment offered at Aashakiran IVF. It is a simple and low-cost procedure that can be less expensive than other types of fertility treatments. The goal of IUI is to increase the number of sperm that reach the Fallopian tubes and subsequently increase the chance of fertilization.

The IUI procedure begins with the male partner producing a semen sample by masturbation. The sperm is then separated from the seminal plasma, white blood cells, prostaglandins, and other debris that are normally filtered out during natural intercourse. This processed semen is then placed into the uterus with a catheter very slowly. Before the insemination, the patient is advised to take medications that stimulate ovulation.

The success rate of IUI depends on various factors such as the couple's fertility problem, age, fallopian tubes, and semen quality. Studies have found that for couples with unexplained infertility, the pregnancy rate for each natural IUI cycle is about 7 to 15 percent. When fertility drugs are used, the pregnancy rate increases to about 15 to 20 percent. For patients under 30, the success rate is around 15% to 20%, while patients between 30 to 40 have a success rate of approximately 10%. Patients over 40 have a success rate of 2 to 5%.

Artificial insemination (AI) is another name for intrauterine insemination. This procedure also depends on many factors like the woman's age, fallopian tubes, and semen quality. Artificial insemination can also refer to placing sperm in a woman’s vagina or cervix when she is ovulating. The sperm, which is provided by the patient through masturbation, is washed by an andrologist in the andrology lab. The andrologist washes and centrifuges the sperm to get the strongest and healthiest sperm, which can travel in the female genital area where they can fertilize the woman’s egg or eggs.

After the man provides a semen sample, it takes about one hour to process the sperm. The IUI procedure takes only a few minutes to perform, and the patient can resume normal activities immediately afterward. Processing frozen or donor sperm takes about 45 minutes. Aashakiran IVF follows strict guidelines to ensure the safety and effectiveness of the IUI procedure.