Intrauterine Insemination (IUI)
Intrauterine Insemination (IUI). What is it? Are you considering taking the Intrauterine Insemination procedure for infertility treatment but don’t know much about it? Then, you are in the right place. The following article introduces to you all the basic facts you need to understand about IUI before taking the procedure.
What is Intrauterine Insemination (IUI)?
Intrauterine Insemination, better known as IUI, is a type of AI (Artificial Insemination) used to treat infertility. Sperm which have been washed and concentrated are inserted directly to the womb during the time when the ovary releases one egg, or several eggs to be fertilized. More traditional types of AI place the sperm into the vagina. Though this was incredibly easier, it wasn’t as successful as the current IUI process.
The ideal result of IUI is for the sperm to travel into the fallopian tube. Here it will fertilize a waiting egg and result to a healthy pregnancy. Intrauterine Insemination can be either coordinated with fertility drugs or your regular cycle depending on the reasons for your infertility. Intrauterine Insemination is performed in healthy and definite fallopian tubes which are not blocked. This is proven through tests such as hysterosalpingogram, typically conducted by a specialist.
Why use Intrauterine Insemination?
IUI is useful to women who are experiencing any of the following situations:
1. Cervical factor fertility problem
Your cervix is located at the lower end of the womb and provides the opening between your uterus and vagina. The mucus produced by your cervix during the time of ovulation is supposed to offer a suitable environment for sperm to move from the vagina to fallopian tubes. however, if the cervical mucus is extremely thick, it may block sperm movement. The IUI procedure bypasses your cervix, depositing sperm directly into your womb and boosting the amount of sperm available to meet an awaiting egg.
2. Semen allergy
It is possible for women to experience an allergy to proteins in their male partner’s semen. This makes ejaculation into their vagina an uncomfortable experience. It can cause redness and a burning sensation, as well as swelling at the point where the semen has contacted the skin. A condom is usually used to protect the woman from these symptoms, but it also prevents her from conceiving. If you experience severe sensitivity, IUI can be efficient because most of the semen proteins are earlier removed before the sperm is inserted.
3. Specific conditions such as HIV when a man doesn’t want to pass the virus to the partner and the child.
IUI is particularly useful in this scenario. If a man knows that he has HIV, IUI can be used to reduce the chance of passing HIV on the woman and the future child.
4. Unexplained Fertility problems
Intrauterine Insemination is usually performed as the initial treatment for unexplained fertility problems along with ovulation-inducing drugs.
5. Endometriosis-related infertility
Just like unexplained fertility problems, a combination of IUI and specific drugs are used as the initial treatment process.
6. Inability or difficulties in having sexual intercourse.
There are several reasons that a couple could be experiencing difficulties with sexual intercourse. It may be attributed to any of the following factors, as well as other possibilities not listed here:
- Physical disabilities
- Psycho-sexual problems
- Premature ejaculation
In these instances, IUI can prove an extremely useful technique to become pregnant with your partner.
7. The desire to use donated sperms.
In such a case, frozen donor sperm specimens are obtainable from certified androgyny laboratories and thawed before carrying out the IUI process.
Intrauterine Insemination (IUI)
To sum up everything, IUI is a very quick procedure and is done in the fertility clinic office without use of any anesthesia. It is not painful, but a few women have reported a mild discomfort experience. With such benefits, it’s entirely clear why intrauterine insemination is frequently used as the initial method of infertility treatment.
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