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Couples who wish to conceive but face fertility issues need not give up on their dreams. There are several fertility treatments and options to conceive. Intrauterine insemination is a fertility procedure that is typically quick and painless. But understandably, there are questions about this treatment. Would it hurt? Would there be a lot of cramping afterwards? Could something unexpectedly go awry? To answer these and other similar questions about Intrauterine Insemination (IUI), TC46 connected with Fertility Specialist Dr Apurva Amarnath Dr Apurva Satish Amarnath from Nova IVF Fertility, Bangalore. Here, he explains how IUI works, the risk factors involved, the success rate and the procedure.
IUI is the process of insertion of processed sperm into the uterus, which helps healthy sperm get closer to the egg to aid fertilization. IVF would entail stimulation of ovaries to grow the follicles, following which an ovarian follicular aspiration is done and the harvested egg is fertilized in the lab with the sperm.
The current indications of IUI are: – Unexplained infertility – Mild male factor – Ejaculator/erectile dysfunction – If donor sperm insemination is required – here intercourse is to be avoided i.e. HIV infection
The chances of natural conception per cycle vary between 6-8%. IUI helps in improving the pregnancy rate to 15-20% by increasing the proximity of the egg with the sperm. When combined with ovulation induction, there is a 10-12 % risk of multiple pregnancies.
IUI is usually done in combination with ovulation induction. The various protocols used would be using medication(tablets), injections or a combination of the two, depending on the patient condition. This includes starting the medication on D2/3 of a cycle, follicular monitoring, triggering ovulation when the dominant follicle reached the appropriate size followed by the IUI
The procedure of IUI is simple. It entails: – Selection and counselling – Ovarian Stimulation – Monitoring of follicular growth and endometrial development – Timing of insemination is planned ~ 36 hours after the trigger injection – Sperm preparation – Insemination
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