Intrauterine insemination, or IUI, is an artificial insemination process whereby sperm from the man is processed in the laboratory, concentrated and then placed in the uterine cavity. The cervix is bypassed, thus allowing the best and most motile fraction of sperm to be placed closer to the egg. This painless, minimally invasive option is used to treatment a variety of fertility disorders including unexplained infertility, cervical factor, mild male factor, and early stage endometriosis.
Intra-uterine insemination factsheetIntrauterine insemination is timed to occur as close to ovulation as possible. It is often combined with drugs to stimulate ovulation such as clomiphene, tamoxifen, letrozole, and/or injectable gonadotropins. This typically results in an increased number of eggs, which should increase the chance of conception. There is also an increased risk of multiple pregnancies with the use of these drugs. The risk depends on several factors including the drug used, your age and the reason for your infertility. Your doctor will discuss your risk of multiple births prior to the start of your cycle.
Your husband will need to produce a semen sample before the insemination. The sperm will be processed in our lab, which takes about 45 minutes. You should abstain from intercourse for 3-4 days prior to the insemination to maximize the chance of having a good sperm count on the day of the insemination.
The insemination takes just a few minutes to perform. It is generally painless, although mild uterine cramping occasionally occurs. We will have you rest in our clinic for 15 minutes after the insemination. You then may return to home/work without any restrictions of your activities.