Know the Risk and Success Rate of IUI Treatment?

by Shivani Sachdev Director at SCI IVF Hospital

If you want to conceive, an IUI, or intrauterine insemination, is a fairly easy way to do it. Whether or not fertility drugs are used, this can be done. They use a thin tube to transfer semen that has been washed and concentrated into the uterus. During ovulation or when taking fertility drugs, IUI is done to make it more likely that a pregnancy will happen.

Success of IUI

If you're having problems getting pregnant, intrauterine insemination (IUI) is a viable option. Artificial insemination was the prior name for the operation, and it can be done without the need for fertility medicines. If medication is used, the patient should begin taking the fertility medicines before the doctor performs the surgery.

Healthy sperms are cleansed uniquely before being put straight into the uterus via a tiny tube during IUI. This moves them closer to the egg, increasing the chances of fertilisation success.

Who needs IUI?

· Infertility in men (Mild)

· Failure to have a baby after ovulation induction treatment.

· Retrograde Ejaculation

· Unknown Infertility

· Sexual dysfunction and ejaculatory problems

Reasons for IUI

A couple's capacity to conceive is influenced by several circumstances. Couples who have:

· Sperm donor- IUI is the most popular method for women who need to use donated sperm to conceive. A certified lab gets donor sperm specimens from frozen donors. The specimens are thawed before the IUI procedure.

· Unknown Infertility- IUI is often used as the first treatment for unexplained infertility, along with ovulation-inducing drugs, as the first step in the treatment process.

· Infertility caused by endometriosis- For infertility caused by endometriosis, the first thing to do is to take medicine to get a good-quality egg and then do IUI.

· Mild male factor infertility- One of the first steps in a medical evaluation of infertility is a semen examination, which may reveal poor sperm concentration, sperm motility, or sperm size and shape abnormalities (morphology). Because sperm preparation for IUI helps distinguish highly motile, normal sperm from those of lesser quality, it can help overcome some of these issues.

· Infertility due to cervical factor- It is the cervix, which is at the bottom of the uterus, that opens up the space between your vagina and uterus. At the time of ovulation, mucus is made by the cervix. This makes it easy for sperm to move from your vagina to fallopian tubes. Then, if your cervical mucus is too thick, the sperm might not be able to get through it. The cervix may also stop sperm from getting to the egg. Having scarring, like after having surgery, can make the cervix thicker. IUI enhances the amount of sperm that can identify and meet an egg by bypassing your cervix and depositing them directly into your body.

· Ovulatory factor infertility- Women who have problems with ovulation, such as no ovulation or a small number of eggs, may also have IUI done.

· Semen allergy- An allergy to semen proteins can induce infertility. Ejaculating into the vagina causes redness, burning, and swelling. A condom protects against symptoms but also prevents conception. If you have significant sensitivity, IUI may work since many proteins in semen are eliminated before sperm is implanted.

Is there any risk?

Taking fertility medicines increases a woman's probability of having twins, triplets, or more during an IUI. The risk of birth abnormalities is not increased by having an IUI. All children, whether conceived spontaneously or through IUI, have a 2% to 4% probability of having birth abnormalities. After having an IUI, the chance of getting an infection is very low.

Conclusion

You can conceive with intrauterine insemination, which is a non-invasive fertility treatment that can work in some cases. If you have ovulatory dysfunction or infertility that isn't clear, this is a good place to start. Whether your partner has mild male factor infertility or not, this is still good for you and your child.