What is IUI and how does the procedure work?
IUI is considered the first-line treatment for unexplained infertility, mild endometriosis, or mild male factor infertility.
In general, IUI does two things: medication taken before the injection help stimulate the growth of eggs, making a woman more fertile than she would be without the medication. Then, via the injection, the sperm is placed inside the uterine cavity, avoiding having to swim through the cervical opening and into the uterus on its own, allowing it to meet the egg more easily.
During the procedure, the male partner will be asked to provide a semen sample about an hour or two before being scheduled for insemination. This is done by masturbating into a sterile container at the doctor’s office or at home. The semen is “washed” to separate the sperm from the seminal fluid. This must be done before the sperm can be injected into the uterus because the seminal fluid contains substances that can irritate your uterus. Sperm “washing” may also improve the ability of the sperm to fertilize the egg.
The insemination takes only a few minutes. A fertility specialist will place a speculum inside the vagina, insert a small catheter through the cervix into the uterine cavity, and inject the sperm through the catheter into the uterus. During this procedure, the patient will most likely not feel any discomfort.