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Getting Pregnant By IUI: Everything You Need to Know about IUI

Team AckoFeb 8, 2024

Intrauterine insemination (IUI) is a procedure or a fertility treatment that involves the placing of the sperm inside the female's uterus to facilitate fertilization. The main goal is to increase the rate of success of fertilization by an increase in the number of sperms that reach the fallopian tubes and subsequently increase the chances of fertilization.

Contents

When should IUI be considered?
How does IUI work?
What happens after the procedure?
Results
Rate of success

There is an advantage this process gives to the sperm by giving it a head-start to reach the egg for the fertilization but still the sperms need to reach and fertilize the egg on their own.

This process is less invasive and expensive as compared to the in vitro fertilization process.

When should IUI be considered?

The most common reason to go for the option of IUI is when there is a low sperm count or less mobility of the sperms. Other conditions where this fertility treatment can be considered are:

• Ejaculation problems or retrograde ejaculation

• Cervical injuries may be due to past procedures that can hinder the sperm to enter the uterus.

• Any medical condition as cervical mucus problems.

• Unexplained infertility

Except the above, there are also several other conditions where IUI is not recommended that are listed below:

• Females having severe diseases or injuries of the fallopian tubes.

• Women having a history of recurrent pelvic infections or having a history of pelvic diseases.

• Females suffering from endometriosis.

How does IUI work?

Before starting the process, the priority is to get your body ready for the process. For that, first of all, insemination ovulation stimulating medications are given so that the chances of the maturation of the more eggs are increased.

Careful monitoring is also needed so that the sperms are injected on time. The IUI procedure is normally performed 24 to 36 hours after the surge of LH hormone that is exact at the time of the ovulation.

In the lab, the semen sample is then thoroughly washed to separate the semen from the seminal fluid. A catheter will then be used to insert the semen directly to the uterus. This process maximizes the chances of fertilization as it increases the number of sperm cells that are placed in the uterus, thus increasing the possibility of conception.

This is safe and consists of a few steps and minimal discomfort. After this, the next step is that you need to wait and watch for the signs of the pregnancy.

What happens after the procedure?

After the process, you will be asked to lie down on your back for a few minutes. Then you can dress up and get back to your normal routine as usual. There may be light spotting or bleeding for one to two days as a result of the procedure being performed, which is absolutely normal.

Results

Approximately after two weeks, go for a home pregnancy test. Testing too early may produce a test as:

False Negative: There will be a negative result when you perform the test at an early stage when the hormone levels are not at that rate that it can make the test positive.

False Positive: When you are taking the pregnancy hormones orally they are still circulating in your body showing the false results that you are pregnant while you are not.

Your doctor will advise you to return after two weeks of the home pregnancy test to do a blood pregnancy test, which is much more accurate to find out the level of the hormones.

If you don't become pregnant for the first time then don't worry and try for another sitting before going for other fertility treatments. Often, the same method is used by the doctors for three to six months to increase the chances of pregnancy.

Rate of success

The rate of success of the process depends on many factors. When the process is being repeated every month then the success rate is increased by 20 percent. It depends on various variables, such as age, the reason for infertility; different drugs are used or not, etc.

Definitely, IUI is less invasive and expensive as compared to the IVF process but the success rate of the IVF is more than that of the IUI process. If you are confused, then better to ask your doctor for advice.

But there is also a large number of people that wants to explore the over the counter or more traditional efforts first rather than going to the fertility procedures straight away. Always remember, before getting depressed about pregnancy, there is always a way out, so better not to worry at all.

Explore More Articles on IUI treatments

Getting Pregnant By IUI: Everything You Need to Know about IUI

Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only, based on industry experience and secondary sources. It is not a substitute for professional advice. Please consult a qualified expert for health or insurance-related decisions. Content is subject to change, refer to current policy wordings for specific ACKO details.

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