Intrauterine Insemination (IUI)

Intrauterine insemination (IUI) is a fertility treatment option that is used for a wide variety of indications. Your doctor may recommend IUI for male factor infertility, unexplained infertility, cervical factor infertility, sexual dysfunction, or for the use of donor sperm. IUI requires that at least one fallopian tube be open for conception to occur. A limited number of IUI cycles is generally viewed as a cost-effective approach to fertility treatment prior to proceeding with in vitro fertilization. IUI is a simple office procedure whereby the male partner provides a semen sample (or in the case of donor sperm, a sample is thawed) on the day of the woman’s ovulation. The sperm are washed, analyzed, concentrated, and prepared. A speculum and a small catheter are used to place the sperm directly into the uterus. A pregnancy test is recommended two weeks after IUI. Expected pregnancy rates vary between 5 and 20%, and depend on a couple’s prognostic factors. Therefore, a series of treatments should be anticipated.