IUI
(Intrauterine Insemination)

IUI (Intrauterine Insemination) is a procedure for treating infertility. In the laboratory prepared Sperm is  placed directly in the uterus in order to increase the likelihood of egg (oocyte) fertilization resulting in natural pregnancy..

Indications for intrauterine insemination: male factor

  • mild deviation in sperm parameters (high seminal fluid viscosity (SFV) , hypospermia – decrease of semen volume, concentration, and mobility);
  • the presence of antisperm antibodies (ASA);
  • sperm cryopreservation (“sperm freezing”);
  • ejaculatory dysfunction;
  • conditions after chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

Indications for intrauterine insemination: female factor

  • cervical abnormalities;
  • disorders of ovulation amenable to medical treatment;
  • the  presence of antisperm antibodies (ASA);
  • vaginismus.

IUI is performed after a preliminary examination of the couple.

 

Requirements to undergo intrauterine insemination (IUI)

  • patency of at least one fallopian tube;
  •  minimum sperm concentration and motility of spermatozoa to mazimize probability of conception;
  • presence of ovarian reserve (oocyte supply);
  • woman’s age up to 35 years.

The Step-by-Step IUI:

Ovarian stimulation for ovulation induction

Duration of ovarian stimulation is 11-12 days. This stage is very important to increase the success of IUI. Medications induce simultaneous growth and maturation of 2 follicles with optimization of endometrium (mucous membrane of the uterine cavity) to prepare for further implantation of the embryo. During this period, ultrasound control (folliculometry) of the follicle growth and endometrium is carried out. After follicles and endometrium have reached the desired size, an ovulation trigger is introduced (a medication that ensures final maturation of the egg (oocyte) – a process which takes 36 hours, following which the ovarian follicles rupture and release of oocytes.

Semen preparation

Semen preparation for IUI consists of processing semen in an embryological laboratory – separating immobile spermatozoa, abnormal sperm with head or tail defects. The aim of semen preparation is to improve the sperm quality and to yield as many normal motile spermatozoa as possible.

This procedure is done 2 hours before the intrauterine insemination.

Insemination

36 hours after induction of final maturation (trigger of oocyte release) prepared sperm is brought into the uterine cavity. This procedure is painless and does not require anesthesia. In our clinic, one program of insemination includes two-fold injection of sperm (first – before ovulation, at the day the trigger injection is done and 36 hours after – during ovulation) – this method increases the chances of pregnancy.

Support during implantation period before pregnancy and pregnancy test

After ovulation, support for the second phase of the menstrual cycle is prescribed to optimize the conditions for the embryo attachment to the uterine cavity under hormonal control: progesterone and estradiol. 12-14 days after ovulation blood test to confirm of your pregnancy is done.