What is IUI?
Intrauterine insemination, also known as artificial insemination, is a fertility treatment that involves placing prepared sperm directly into a woman’s uterus during her fertile window. The goal is to improve the chances of sperm reaching and fertilizing the egg, increasing the likelihood of pregnancy.
How Does It Work?
Intrauterine insemination follows a series of steps to optimize the chances of successful conception:
Step 1: Ovarian Stimulation
Before the insemination procedure, the woman may undergo ovarian stimulation. This involves taking medications to encourage the development and release of multiple eggs, thereby increasing the chances of fertilization.
Step 2: Monitoring
During the ovarian stimulation phase, the woman’s fertility specialist closely monitors her hormone levels and performs ultrasounds to track the growth of follicles in the ovaries. This monitoring helps determine the optimal time for insemination.
Step 3: Insemination
Once the follicles reach the desired size, the woman undergoes the insemination procedure. The semen sample, obtained either from a partner or a donor, is processed in a lab to separate the most active and healthy sperm. The prepared sperm is then inserted into the uterus using a thin catheter, which is a painless procedure.
