Artificial Insemination (IUI)

High school biology teaches that the female egg has to be successfully fertilized by the male sperm to ensure sexual reproduction. Natural means of reproduction by sexual activity are not only traditional, safe, healthy, and reliable, but they also have social sanction. However, Due to many unforeseen reasons, Couples may not be able to bear a child through natural means. This problem of infertility can be very stressful and have a negative impact on personal and professional lives. As a result, more and more modern couples rely on assisted reproductive technologies (ART) to satisfy their desire to have a baby. Get the IUI treatment by Dr. Ila Gupta.

Types of Assisted Reproductive Technologies

Pregnancy can be achieved by clinically supervised and controlled procedures with the assistance of modern technologies. These medical techniques are primarily used in fertility treatments to satisfy a couple’s desire for reproduction. There are many advanced technologies such as artificial wombs, reprogenetics, germinal choice, and in vitro parthenogenesis. These technologies are however not very prevalent as they are in a developmental stage. The following technologies, on the other hand, have not only become very popular but also routine in the medical field:

  • Fertility Medication
  • Hormone Treatment
  • Artificial Insemination
  • In vitro Fertilization
  • ICSI
  • Donor Gametes IVF
  • Surrogacy
  • PGS / PGD

Artificial Insemination or IUI

IUI or Intrauterine insemination is an advanced, but routine, medical technology that effectively addresses the problem of infertility among couples. In this procedure, the male partner or donor’s sperm is inserted artificially into the female’s uterus through her cervix. The clinical procedure is safe, simple, less invasive, and very effective in treating infertility. Artificial insemination is always performed by knowledgeable and well trained professionals when the woman is very close to her natural ovulation time to achieve success. Sometimes, Hormones are used to artificially stimulate the ovaries to cause or regulate ovulation, before performing the IUI.

IUI Procedure

  • In the first step, a semen sample analysis is performed.
  • The semen is carefully washed, and the motile sperm is concentrated.
  • The final sample of sperm for insemination is prepared.
  • The semen is gently inserted into the uterine cavity.
  • Soft, sterile and disposable catheter and speculum are used during the IUI procedure.
  • The painless procedure is usually performed by a qualified Doctor.

Suitability of IUI Procedure

The IUI procedure is usually  suggested  for couples in following conditions –

  • Male Sexual Disorders.
  • Minor Sperm Abnormalities.
  • Unexplained Infertility
  • Genetic Diseases (Donor sperm is used).
  • Hostile Cervical Mucus.

Post procedure care and advice

Is a painless and simple procedure with little or no side effects.

The patient may feel  few cramps or mild discomfort immediately after the procedure.

10 – 15 minutes of rest is advised , following which regular work and routine can be resumed without any difficulty.