Intrauterine Insemination (IUI)
Intrauterine Insemination (IUI)
IUI combines ovulation stimulation with introduction of purified semen into the uterus on the day of induced ovulation.Ovulation stimulation involves low dose FSH injections and follicle tracking scans and a hCG trigger are performed in the same way as in TSI cycles. It is not safe to proceed if more than 2 large follicles develop, due to the risk of multiple pregnancy.IUI treatment is recommended under several circumstances:
- If the male partner experiences impotence or severe premature ejaculation
- If the female partner has problems with ovulation
- For Unexplained Infertility
- For single women and same sex couples using donor sperm treatment
A typical IUI cycle takes place as follows:
- The female attends the clinic for a baseline scan between day 3 to day 5 of the period to ensure that no ovarian cysts are present which could interfere with treatment.
- She will then start low doses of FSH injections (1 injection per day) and will continues with these injections until advised to stop.
- She will attend for a follicle tracking scan 5 to 6 days after the start of injections – further scans may be necessary depending on how quickly the follicle(s) starts growing.
- Once the leading follicle is bigger than 17mm in diameter a hCG trigger is administered.
- The couple will attend the clinic 36 hours later and the man will produce a semen sample which will be processed in order to produce a much smaller preparation of highly purified and motile sperms.
- This sperm preparation is introduced into the uterus using a soft flexible plastic catheter. The experience for the female partner is similar to that of a smear test.
- Two weeks later, a blood pregnancy test is carried out.