What is intrauterine insemination?
Intrauterine insemination is a fertility treatment. To perform intrauterine insemination sperm are injected directly into a woman’s uterus.
Whereas under natural conception, sperms travel on their own from vagina through cervix and then into the fallopian tubes.
Intrauterine insemination is also known as artificial insemination or IUI.
Who can get intrauterine insemination done?
Some common factors that make a couple eligible for intrauterine insemination are:
- endometriosis of a mild level
- issues within the cervix
- issues with erection
- issues with sperm motility
- a single woman who wants to conceive
- same-sex couples who want to conceive
- couples who wish to avoid passing on of a genetic defect to their baby
You should see a Gynecologist in Lahore to know if you are a good candidate for intrauterine insemination. If you don’t get a heads up from them, then discuss with your doctor if you’ll make a good candidate for IVF which is another great fertility treatment.
What are the benefits of intrauterine insemination?
Here is a list of some benefits of intrauterine insemination:
- Intrauterine insemination is a painless and noninvasive process.
- It is a budget friendly option when compared to other fertility treatments.
- Very little to almost no medication is required to perform IUI.
- The washing procedure of sperm improves the overall quality of the sperm, hence the chances of conception are higher.
- The procedure is not time consuming, it hardly takes 40 to 60 minutes.
What are the risk factors of intrauterine insemination?
Below is a list of risks involved when a woman gets intrauterine insemination done:
- Doctors usually use sterile equipment and instruments for the procedure but still there is a rare chance of infection following the IUI procedure.
- At times ovaries start over responding to fertility medications which may cause a condition called ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome.
- If your doctor is using medications to induce ovulation then there is a very high chance that you may end up getting pregnant with multiple babies.
- If you feel dizzy, nauseous, short on breath, gain weight more than 5 lbs, have pain in the abdomen after getting intrauterine insemination done; then you should see your doctor immediately.
What is the success rate of intrauterine insemination?
Since every couple is different the success rate of intrauterine insemination varies. Factors that affect the outcome are:
- age
- underlying fertility conditions
- usage of fertility drugs
Studies show that the success rate of IUI is quite low in women who are above 40 years of age.
So before you opt for IUI make sure to discuss your chances of success with the Best Gynecologist in Karachi.
How can you prepare yourself for intrauterine insemination?
Intrauterine Insemination requires a lot of pre-preparation before the actual procedure.
- First step to prepare for IUI is observing when you are ovulating. For this your doctor will recommend some bloodwork and an ultrasound. They may also recommend using an at home ovulation prediction kit.
- For the second step your partner will be required to provide their semen sample at the doctor’s office. The collected sample will then be washed to separate the healthiest sperm.
- Thirdly your doctor will determine the perfect timing for the procedure to be done.
What does the procedure of intrauterine insemination look like?
The procedure IUI looks like:
- On the day when your procedure is scheduled, you will be asked to lay on an exam table.
- A speculum will then be inserted in your vagina.
- Then a vial containing the sample of healthy sperm will be attached to a catheter, which will later be inserted into the vagina then into the uterus.
- Then your doctor will push the sperm sample into the uterus and remove the catheter.
- You will be asked to wait in the recovery room for at least 20 minutes.
- If no abnormal symptoms appear you will be good to leave the hospital.
