Intrauterine Insemination (IUI)

This is an office procedure which involves placing "washed" sperms into the womb, with a small plastic tube called catheter. Sperms are taken from the husband. If required frozen or donor sperms can be used, depending upon patient's situation and also needs written consent. The sperms are washed several times to remove substances like prostaglandins that can cause cramping or shock. Once the semen is washed and good motile sperms are separated, it is transferred into the womb of patient via a catheter to achieve best chance of pregnancy. This procedure is preceded by ovulation monitoring by transvaginal ultrasound and if required ovarian stimulation with gonadotrophins or clomiphene citrate. There are different methods of processing the semen and the cost of each process may be different.
We have excellent results of IUI with pregnancy rates between 15-20%
Advantages of IUI
Minimally invasive
Less financial commitment
Less time consuming
Disadvantages of IUI
Results are only 10-20 % and time may be lost
Risk of multiple pregnancies
Tubes must be patent (open)
Technique is recommended
when infertility is
Unexplained
Secondary to mild male factor or cervical factor
Caused by endometriosis but tubes are patent (open)