FERTILITY TREATMENT: INTRA-UTERINE INSEMINATION (IUI)
IUI is a procedure that puts your partner’s sperm directly into your womb at a much higher level than can be achieved during intercourse, to improve the chances of fertilisation.
Who Should Have It?
If you have been given a diagnosis of unexplained infertility, you are under the age of 35, and there seems to be no medical or physical reason why you and your partner are not conceiving, IUI should be the first assisted conception treatment offered.
IUI can be used if you have a problem with ovulation because stimulatory drugs can be given at the same time. Stimulatory drugs are often used anyway to encourage two or three eggs to mature and to increase the chance of the technique working.
IUI can also be used if the man produces an anti-sperm antibody which usually means that his sperm will not penetrate the cervical mucus of the woman.
Again, IUI can be used if a post-coital test has shown that your mucus is hostile to your partner’s sperm.
IUI can be used with donor sperm if your partner is infertile or has a hereditary disease. However, donor insemination is an emotional issue -particularly for your partner who may feel he has ‘failed’ as a man. There may also be religious concerns and you should be counseled if donor insemination is required to enable you to conceive. Using a friend or family member as a donor is not usually advised because of the possibility of future problems as the child grows up.
The aim is to get your partner’s sperm high into your womb at ovulation when you are most fertile.
You will both have to go to the clinic and your partner will be asked to produce a fresh semen sample. His semen may be ‘washed’ in a special fluid and centrifuged so that the weaker sperm are filtered out. Alternatively a ‘swim up’ test can filter out weaker sperm. Sometimes a ‘split ejaculate’ is used because the first part of the ejaculate contains many more sperm.
Ultrasound is used to track the development of the follicles so that the sperm can be inserted at precisely the right time. This tracking is also important so that, if there is over-stimulation from any of the drugs and the possibility of a multiple birth, the procedure can be abandoned.
IUI may be a bit embarrassing but it is not at all painful. No anesthetic is needed and the sperm is placed high in the womb through a fine catheter. You will have to rest for a little while afterwards.
Success Rate
When there are no medical reasons for infertility IUI has a good success rate – around 15 per cent before the age of 35.
If you have been given a diagnosis of unexplained infertility, and you know your tubes are clear and that your partner’s sperm is healthy, IUI may be the first assisted conception treatment you are offered.
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