Fertility problems can make it difficult to become pregnant. Assisted reproductive technology helps to overcome these obstacles and allows single women and couples to create the families they’ve always wanted.
What is artificial insemination (AI)? Also known as intrauterine insemination (IUI), it’s one of the most commonly used assisted fertility procedures. This non-surgical fertility treatment improves the chances of pregnancy. Discover more about this insemination technique.
How Does IUI Work?
IUI improves a person’s chances of fertilization by increasing the number of healthy sperm that reach the fallopian tubes. A healthcare professional injects a male partner’s semen sample or donor sperm from a sperm bank directly into the uterus. The sperm is inserted at the same time an ovary releases one or more eggs with the goal that they unite, leading to pregnancy.
Why Not Natural Insemination?
For many couples, natural insemination (sexual intercourse) is the preferred method to conceive. However, many sperm cells die during natural insemination before reaching the uterus. This results in lower pregnancy success rates. With an artificial insemination procedure, more sperm reaches the uterus during ovulation, making pregnancy more likely.
When Is IUI Recommended?
A couple’s or individual’s likelihood of conception depends on several fertility factors. Age, lifestyle, stress levels, existing medical conditions, and more all play crucial roles in becoming pregnant. In some cases, these factors are too difficult to overcome without alternatives.
IUI may be recommended for couples or individuals who are unable to conceive naturally due to the following reasons:
- Physical disability preventing vaginal intercourse
- Unexplained infertility
- Same-sex couples wishing to start a family
- Single women wanting to conceive
- Mild male factor infertility, such as low sperm count, low sperm motility, or trouble with ejaculation
- Inability to ovulate due to polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) or hypothalamic dysfunction
- Semen allergy
- Too much production of cervical mucus and other problems with the cervix
Risks and Potential Side Effects
IUI is a very safe and, in most cases, simple AI technique. The risk of developing serious health concerns is very low. Patients most commonly experience mild cramping. However, patients should be aware of the inherent risks of the procedure.
There is a slight risk of infection following an IUI procedure. As such, patients require aftercare throughout the recovery process.
Another minor concern of IUI is spotting. During the procedure, a catheter is placed through the vagina and into the uterus. The thin tube enables the injection of the sperm sample. In some cases, this process causes a small amount of vaginal bleeding, called spotting.
The Potential for Multiple Pregnancies
The IUI procedure alone isn’t linked to a risk of twins or more babies. However, to increase pregnancy rates, certain fertility medicines, such as Clomid or Letrozole, might be used in synchronization with artificial insemination. These ovulation-stimulating medications help the body produce multiple eggs at a time. When two or more eggs are released simultaneously, multiple implantations can occur.
Additionally, fertility specialists may recommend an injectable follicle-stimulating hormone, or FSH, to help conception rates by stimulating the growth of egg follicles. These injections, combined with IUI, can lead to multiple pregnancies. According to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, up to 30% of patients who use injectable medications have multiple gestations.
Success Rates
Successful AI depends on various factors, including age, the cause of infertility, ovarian stimulation, and more. Patients who undergo IUI at a younger age are more likely to become pregnant compared to older patients. Furthermore, couples who demonstrate no apparent reproductive issues but are struggling to conceive find IUI success at higher rates than couples with infertility concerns.
IUI vs. IVF
Like IUI, in vitro fertilization (IVF) is a commonly used fertility treatment. While an IUI involves placing sperm directly into the female reproductive tract using a speculum, IVF entails surgically removing the body’s eggs to fertilize them.
IUI can be considered as a first attempt at fertility treatment in women under the age of 35. IVF is recommended after IUI is deemed not a viable fertility option. IVF is also recommended in women who are 40 or older.
Learn More About IUI from RMA Network
Couples or individuals struggling to achieve a healthy pregnancy naturally may be discouraged by one negative at-home pregnancy test after another. They may find hope in artificial insemination. The fertility specialists at RMA Network offer patients innovative fertility treatments, including IUI. Those wishing to learn more about IUI and other treatment options should contact us to request an appointment for your first visit.
