Intra Uterine Insemination (IUI)

Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) can sometimes be referred to as Artificial Insemination (AI), a simple treatment procedure aimed to provide assistance to sperm by inseminating the uterus to increase the number of sperm that reach the fallopian tube. This will therefore increases the chance of fertilisation. The technique provides sperm with an advantage by giving it a head start with where it needs to go, but it still needs to reach and fertilise the egg on its own.

Intrauterine insemination (IUI) is one of the simpler, less complex and less invasive treatment options available to you. It is often the starting point for many individuals or couples who are experiencing difficulty in trying to conceive.

IUI might be suitable if you:

Have been diagnosed with unexplained infertility
Have been diagnosed with mild male factor infertility
Have scarring of the cervix or other concerns that prevent sperm penetration
Have irregular or absent ovulation
Cannot have regular or penetrative sexual intercourse
Need to use donor sperm

After you’ve consulted with the fertility specialist and completed some preliminary fertility testing, you will have a better idea as to whether IUI is a suitable treatment option for you.

The IUI treatment process

For this procedure, a speculum is inserted into your vagina in order to better visualise your cervix. A soft, thin catheter through is passed through the opening of your cervix and into the uterus. The pre-prepared sperm will then be introduced to the uterus via the catheter. The procedure will only take a few minutes to complete and can be likened to a pap smear. You will be able to return to your daily activities as soon as the IUI is completed.

Timing the Insemination

IUI treatment procedures will be timed around your time of ovulation. However the exact timing of insemination is not critical to the exact time of ovulation. Both the sperm and the egg remain viable in the female genital tract for many hours, so your insemination will occur within a window of several hours around the time of ovulation.

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