Intrauterine insemination (IUI) is a fertility treatment where sperm that are washed and prepared in the laboratory are placed directly into a woman’s uterus around the time of ovulation.
On the 2nd or 3rd day of menstruation, oocyte stimulation is started with medications or low-dose injections. When 1-3 follicles reach the appropriate size (17-20mm), ovulation is triggered. The insemination is performed 34-37 hours after the trigger injection. The semen sample taken on the day of the procedure or frozen beforehand is washed and separated in the laboratory by andrologistes. A concentration of 0.5-1 cc is prepared by choosing those that are in better condition in terms of movement and morphology. Then, a thin catheter is gently passed through the cervix, allowing the sperm to reach the uterus at the exact time of ovulation. IUI treatment starts on the 2nd day of menstruation and takes about 15 days. After the procedure, the patient can return to her normal life. A pregnancy test is done 12-14 days after the IUI. The chance of success for IUI is around 15-20% per each round. IUI is usually less expensive treatment than other fertility treatments.
IUI is recommended in the following conditions:
- Sufficient sperm count
- Mild to moderate endometriosis
- Problems with cervical mucus
- Allergic to semen
- Healthy hormone levels
- Healthy fallopian tubes that are not blocked
- Sufficient number of quality eggs in her ovaries
