There has been a sharp rise in the prevalence of infertility in India and across the globe, but advancements in fertility treatments have emerged equally in the past decade. Among them, IUI is a leading treatment option that has gained a lot of prevalence.
Intrauterine insemination or IUI, is a type of assisted reproductive technology (ART) that involves the direct insertion of the sperm sample into the uterus to result in a successful conception. This is a very common infertility treatment in couples struggling with male-factor infertility.
In this article, we will take an elaborate look into what IUI is, the entire breakdown of the steps, and the IUI cost and success rates.
What is IUI?
Intrauterine insemination (IUI), which is commonly known as artificial insemination, is an infertility treatment wherein the prepared sperm sample is directly inserted into the female partner’s uterus to assist with natural conception.
For couples struggling with male-factor infertility or issues related to the female reproductive anatomy that are preventing the successful reach of the sperm to the egg for fertilization, IUI is recommended to expedite the process to enhance the chances of a successful pregnancy. Some of the most common instances that require individuals to opt for IUI are:
Issues with the cervical mucus or anomalies in the cervix
In normal instances, the sperm travels down to the egg through the vagina and cervix to ensure a successful fertilization. However, in some instances, issues with the cervical mucus can end up preventing the sperm from making the journey through the uterus and into the fallopian tubes.
Individuals with thick cervical mucus secretion often end up experiencing issues related to infertility, and IUI seems like a plausible option in that case.
Low sperm count
A common issue that also warrants IUI is having low sperm count or poor sperm motility. In such cases, the sperm fails to travel to the fallopian tube to initiate fertilization, leading to infertility.
IUI involves the collection and preparation of the sperm sample to select and place the most viable sperm inside the uterus to bypass these shortcomings and allow for a successful pregnancy.
Issues related to ejaculation or erectile dysfunction
If the male partner struggles with ejaculation-related concerns or has a proven track record of erectile dysfunction, that also warrants undergoing IUI to conceive successfully.
Semen allergy
Although quite rare, in some cases, some female partners might have an allergic reaction to their partner’s semen, which can lead to a variety of unpleasant symptoms in the vagina, including redness, swelling, and irritation.
To avoid such risks and complexities, IUI is used to bypass complications and directly insert the prepared sperm into the uterus to induce pregnancy.
Unexplained infertility
In cases where you are experiencing the signs and complications that come with infertility, but there are no medical reasons to explain why it happens, such instances are termed as unexplained infertility. Instances like these also benefit from the use of IUI.
Besides these, there are a variety of other reasons that benefit from the use of IUI, including:
- Overcoming issues related to endometriosis
- Using donor sperm
- Ovulatory factor infertility, etc.
Either way, IUI is an advanced treatment that ignites hope for couples or individuals who are struggling with infertility and want to experience the joys of parenthood.
How to Prepare for an IUI Procedure?
The Intrauterine insemination process isn’t as direct as you think. There are a few different factors that contribute to it.
For example, infertility, in medical terms, is when individuals have engaged in unprotected sexual intercourse and failed to conceive despite doing it for 12+ months. If you are experiencing a similar situation, you need to consult a fertility specialist to assess what’s happening. Here’s a breakdown of the IUI procedure from the start to the end:
Initial consultation
The first step is to consult a fertility specialist to assess what’s happening. Sometimes, the issue could be a malefactor, a female factor, or a combination of both. Either way, the first step is to assess what’s medically wrong and then confirm a diagnosis with proper and comprehensive testing.
During the initial consultation, the fertility specialist will generally start by discussing what’s wrong with the symptoms one is experiencing, assess the medical history, and analyze issues that could prevent the chances of a successful conception.
Also, various blood and imaging tests are prescribed during this consultation to confirm the diagnosis and medically tailor the relevant treatment plan.
Processing the reports and preparing for IUI
Once the actual cause behind the infertility is confirmed, the next step is choosing the ideal treatment route to assist with the conception and pregnancy.
In most cases, IUI is the most commonly recommended treatment. IUI does depend on timing since the prepared sperm needs to be inserted into the uterus when the female partner is actively ovulating. Hence, preparing a proper timeline for the treatment is key. Before IUI, further tests are done as well.
Ovulation monitoring
We briefly mentioned that timing is vital for the success of IUI. To ensure that the sperm sample fertilizes the egg successfully, ovulation monitoring is thus mandatory in IUI.
Ovulation induction may be recommended to stimulate the production of multiple eggs. Hormonal medications such as Clomiphene citrate or gonadotropins are commonly used to enhance egg production. The monitoring is done using blood tests and ultrasounds to ensure precise timing for the insemination.
Semen sample collection and preparation
On the day of the IUI procedure, the male partner is asked to provide a semen sample, which is then processed to concentrate the healthy sperm from the sample and then prepare them for insemination.
The preparation removes unnecessary components, ensuring a higher concentration of motile sperm for insemination. Generally, the preparation involves washing the sperm to eliminate all the unwanted elements.
Insemination procedure
Once ovulation is confirmed, the prepared sperm is introduced directly into the woman’s uterus using a thin catheter. This relatively simple and painless procedure takes only a few minutes in a doctor’s office.
Post-insemination care
After the procedure, the woman may rest for a short period. Some specialists may recommend additional hormonal support, such as progesterone supplements, to enhance the chances of successful implantation.
It fizzles down to the patient’s health, reproductive well-being, and how they respond to the insemination. It is not a standard requirement but is often recommended by fertility specialists.
IUI Treatment Cost
Now that you have a clear idea of the entire IUI treatment procedure, the next step is to determine the costs involved.
On average, the one cycle of IUI treatment cost in India starts from INR 10,000. This is just the procedure cost and doesn’t include all the accessory treatment inclusions like tests, doctor’s consultation fees, etc.
Besides the standard procedure cost, some of the other factors that add up to the total treatment cost include:
- Diagnostic care
- Medications
- Semen analysis and preparation
- Appointments (initial, ongoing, and follow-up)
One of the primary reasons why most individuals and couples struggling with infertility opt for IUI, in the beginning is due to the comparably affordable costs of in-vitro fertilization and other assisted reproductive technologies.
What is the Success Rate of IUI?
The success rate of IUI depends on several factors: the cause behind the infertility, the age of the individuals undergoing the treatment, the severity of the infertility, etc.
On average, the chances of getting pregnant with IUI are around 20% per cycle. However, these numbers might change depending on the patient’s reproductive and fertility concerns.
Since the success rates vary, we recommend that every patient have realistic expectations established to prevent further heartbreak. Having an open discussion with the fertility specialist regarding the treatment’s effectiveness is thus highly recommended. Having a comprehensive idea helps make informed decisions that are right for you, your partner, and your chances of conceiving your baby.
Conclusion
Intrauterine insemination is hands down one of the most effective procedures to overcome concerns of infertility and conceive a baby. If you have been curious about the treatment’s success rate, highs, and lows, we have mentioned it in detail in this guide.
At the Fertility Cure Centre, our fertility specialists are here to guide you through the process, discuss the treatment and goals, and provide an empathetic and supportive environment to help you build the family you have always dreamed of.
For more details about our IUI treatment plan and fertility treatment options, kindly contact us directly.
