Intrauterine Insemination

For over a number of decades, Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) has been popular amongst couple who have been attempting and waiting for gestation for over a year. Formerly called as artificial insemination, IUI is a procreative method and a priority step to be taken for couples desiring the abovementioned.

For a woman to become pregnant, a sperm in good condition should be able to unite with an egg and inseminate together. Through IUI, the sperm is immediately inserted right into the female’s uterus. Several couples who suffer from barrenness from an unknown etiology could benefit from this great procedure. Also other than treating infertility, it is also commonly used to aid women with thick cervical mucus, ovulation problems and endometriosis, a condition where there is abnormal growth of the endometrial cells. Fertility drugs are prescribed for women whose ovulation is irregular. This will give assurance that the egg has been liberated.

The male also shares a counterpart of problem during the process of reproduction. The male must have a perfectly conditioned sperm for intrauterine insemination. However, in order for the method to be successful, a sperm must be sustainable and healthy. More so, IUI can treat a male partner who has oligozoospermia and slow sperm motility. Obtaining a sperm from a donor may be considered if there’s a problem with the sperm or if there is severe oligozoospermia. Furthermore, IUI is also a solution to partners who cannot conceive because of impotency, a specific cancer or reproductive organ surgery.

So how does the IUI work? During coitus, a sperm has to pass through the woman’s vagina, the cervix, then into the uterus, and then on to where the egg is implanted; which entails going through the walls of the fallopian tubes and into the uterus. The sperm has a very long way to go. Not to mention, the sperm needs to be healthy and viable when it gets to the egg. So to make things easier and simpler for the sperm to reach its final destination, IUI shortens the travel period.

When using the method, there are a couple of things to be remembered:

• The sperm needs to be collected beforehand and should be cleaned. This surges the probability of having healthy sperms uniting with the egg.
• Physicians will constantly observe the female’s hormone level in order to get the expected date of ovulation. Ultrasounds or some medications may be used to double check if the date of ovulation is correct.
• On the day of the procedure, a small catheter is used to inject the sperm right into the uterus. IUI is a painless method and can cause slight discomfort.
• Normally, when the procedure is done, the woman is advised to stay in bed lying for around 30 minutes. She can then return to her daily routine and activities.
• To indicate that the procedure was done successfully, a pregnancy test has to be performed at the physician’s clinic and at home.

The success ratio is still not as high as the expected. There is only about 10 to 20 percent chance in each attempt; having only a not so significant difference with the normal intercourse. Although, clinics recommend that IUI should be done at least two or three cycles.

The cost of performing this method greatly depends on the extent of tests done, if an ovulation-induced treatment is needed, or an extensive monitoring is required. Since, IUI is not part of the insurance cover; the couple needs to get money on their own. Soin general, the bill should be around $3,000 per session.

Summary

Intrauterine insemination boosts optimism to many aspiring lovers.