What is Intrauterine Insemination?

Intrauterine insemination (IUI) is a type of artificial insemination in which healthy sperm are placed directly into the uterus. Inserting a concentrated amount of sperm close to the opening of your fallopian tubes increases the chance of the sperm reaching and fertilizing an egg.

Am I a Good Candidate for Intrauterine Insemination?

IUI is often a good choice for women with unexplained infertility. You may also be a good candidate if your infertility is caused by a problem in your cervix that stops sperm from entering the uterus.

Problems in the cervix that cause infertility include mucus that doesn’t allow sperm to move through the cervical canal or scar tissue that blocks the opening.

When your doctor at Hill Country OB/GYN uses medication to promote ovulation and increase the number of mature eggs, IUI can help treat infertility caused by:

• Irregular ovulation

• Mild endometriosis

• Polycystic ovary syndrome

• Previous cervical surgery

Your doctor may also consider IUI for mild to moderate male factor infertility. Male factor infertility occurs in men who have a low sperm count or with blockages that prevent sperm from reaching semen.

On the flip side, you’re not a good candidate for IUI if your fallopian tubes are blocked, you have very few eggs, or you’re old enough that your eggs may not mature properly.

How is Intrauterine Insemination Performed?

IUI must be perfectly timed so that sperm is inserted into your uterus on the day an egg is released from your ovary. To accomplish that, you’ll take Clomid, which stimulates ovulation, and your doctor at Hill Country OB/GYN tracks your ovulatory pattern.

One way to track ovulation is with an ultrasound scan to measure the size of follicles that contain eggs. The scan allows your doctor to accurately predict when ovulation may occur.

When the timing is right, your partner donates sperm, which is placed into a syringe attached to a long, thin catheter.

Your doctor threads the catheter through your cervix and into your uterus, near the fallopian tube opening and releases the sperm. You’ll have a follow-up appointment after about two weeks to see if you’re pregnant.

If you’re trying to get pregnant without success, you can undergo infertility evaluation and receive intrauterine insemination at Hill Country OB/GYN. To schedule an appointment, call the office today.