Intrauterine Insemination

There are many couples who wish to start a family. In spite of their many attempts, they unfortunately fail to conceive. Such heart-broken couples need not get disappointed any more. They now have the choice of artificial insemination that will help them fulfill their wishes. There are different types of artificial insemination that help facilitate fertilization. One such fertility treatment includes intrauterine insemination (IUI). This procedure does not involve any kind of manipulation of the woman's eggs. Thus, this process is not placed under the group of assisted reproductive technology (ART) processes.

What is Intrauterine Insemination Process?
This artificial insemination process is not a very 'hi-tech' medical process that helps couples conceive. It is a simple and easy way to introduce sperms into the woman's womb. The aim of the process is to get the sperm near to the egg and thus, increase the chances of fertilization. In this process, the doctor will ask the partner to collect his sperms in a sterile bottle. The sperms will then be send to a lab where the slow-moving or sluggish sperms are separated from the fast-moving sperms. These fast-moving sperms are then placed into the woman's womb to help her conceive sooner.

Who Can Benefit from it?
Intrauterine insemination is very helpful to couples who face certain fertility issues. These issues can be related to low sperm count in the male partner. In some cases, the low motility sperms also create problems in conceiving a baby. Women facing ovulation problems also benefit from IUI process. Men with premature ejaculation or impotence problems can also go in for IUI. Women with mild endometriosis are also suggested intrauterine insemination. Many women who opt for pregnancy without a male partner, can go in for this process and use sperms donated by donors to fertility clinics.

What is the Process?
The doctor may or may not advice fertility drugs, based on individual case. Fertility drugs help stimulate ovulation cycle and this cycle is called 'stimulated cycle'. When a woman is not advised to use any kind of drugs, her cycle is called a 'natural cycle'. In most cases, doctors do not recommend stimulated ovulation. Now, the doctor monitors the woman's natural ovulation cycle. This is done by using an ovulation predictor kit. In some cases, the doctors use a urine and blood test to determine ovulation cycle. The woman is asked to come to the clinic on a particular day of the predicted day of ovulation. This is usually between 12th to 15th day of a natural menstrual cycle of the woman.

When the woman ovulates, the doctor will use the sperm sample of her male partner that is washed and contains the best mobile sperms. Then a thin, flexible catheter is inserted into the cervix through the vagina. The sperms are then directly placed into the uterus through the tube near a fallopian tube. This helps the sperms reach the egg sooner and increase the chances of fertilization. The woman needs to rest on the table for at least 15 minutes, before standing up. She may experience mild cramping in the uterine region. She can go ahead with her daily life and is asked to take a pregnancy test after about 15 days of the treatment.

What is the Success Rate?
The success rate is high for women under the age of 30 years and men who have their Total Motile Spermatozoa (TMS) measured more than 5 million/ml. The average success rate is found to be about 10 to 20% per cycle. One may require about 3 to 6 cycles of treatment to conceive with IUI process. If this does not help, they may have to go in for other methods of insemination.

How Much Does it Cost?
The cost usually depends on the doctor and clinic that you opt for. However, on an average, the sperm washing process costs around $200 to $300. If one requires injectable medications and monitoring, the cost may rise up to about $5000 to $6000. If not, then one may spend just about $200 for insemination during a natural ovulation cycle.

If one is facing problems conceiving or suffering from fertility problems, they can speak to their doctor about artificial insemination. Based on one's individual case, the doctor will advise the best insemination procedure that will increase their chances of conceiving a baby.