IUI Treatment
Intrauterine insemination (IUI) is a fertility treatment that gently assists your natural cycle. It is a simple treatment with a low level of medication and monitoring.
This treatment mimics a natural cycle, where one or two eggs develop in the ovaries, and a semen sample is introduced (intrauterine insemination) at the time of ovulation. The semen sample is prepared in the laboratory to increase the number of sperm that reach the Fallopian tube. Although the sperm needs to reach and fertilise the egg, the preparation boosts the chance of that happening.
The IUI Process
Step by Step
IUI treatment is a gentle treatment that assists your natural cycle.
Ovarian Stimulation: The first stage is the most well-known: taking hormone injections. These injections stimulate the ovaries to grow one or two follicles.
Trigger Shot: When the follicle reaches the right size, a trigger shot helps the egg to mature and be released from the ovary.
Semen Preparation: Around the time of ovulation, the semen sample (from a partner or donor) is prepared to concentrate it.
IUI Procedure: The last step is for the concentrated sample to be inserted high into the uterus. The sperm then have a short distance to travel to fertilise the egg.
Who Is IUI Helpful For?
This gentle treatment is often the starting point for many individuals and couples who need a little assistance to conceive. An IUI cycle can be helpful for patients who are diagnosed with unexplained infertility, mild male factor infertility, or ovulation issues.
IUI treatment is often recommended when using donor sperm.
IUI Success Rates
For a patient with normal fallopian tubes and no significant endometriosis, IUI can a successful treatment. At Waterstone Clinic, the live birth rate for a patient who is under 35, our success rates are:
- 14% live birth rate when using sperm from your partner
- 28% live birth rate when using sperm from a donor
Many patients build their entire families using simple IUI treatments.
Complete Treatment Package Includes:
- Planning & Coordination of Cycle
- Prescription Issue
- Monitoring Ultrasound Scans
- Semen Preparation
- IUI Procedure
- Early Pregnancy Scans
- Fertility Counselling
Follicle Aspiration
If too many follicles grow in an IUI cycle, there is a risk of twins or triplets. To avoid this risk and the cancellation of the cycle, one or more eggs can be removed in a follicle aspiration procedure.
This procedure is quick (taking between 2-5 minutes). The eggs are removed by a long fine needle passed through the vaginal wall under ultrasound guidance, that uses suction to remove the follicular fluid and egg from each unwanted follicle.