Dr Arti Gupta : Intrauterine insemination

MBBS, MS (Obstetrics and Gynaecology)
Associate Professor – Career Medical College, Lucknow
Ex Consultant – District Government Hospital

What is IUI (Intrauterine insemination)?.

IUI, or Intrauterine Insemination, is a popular fertility treatment where healthy sperm cells are injected into a woman's uterus to facilitate fertilisation. IUI is a simple and non-invasive procedure that is commonly used in cases where couples experience difficulty in conceiving.

Intrauterine means “inside the uterus” thus, intrauterine insemination is the process wherein the best quality sperms are introduced into the uterus to fertilise the egg. The objective here is to bring the sperms as close to the egg as possible. Whether to perform IUI or not is decided by several factors, as per the doctor's recommendation and the patient's individual situation.

You or your partner should not need to use another method of contraception while the IUD is in place. there are other non-permanent methods of female contraception.

A levonorgestrel intrauterine system

hormone implants

oral contraceptive pill

Advantages of IUI.

Increased chance of pregnancy: IUI improves the chance of fertilisation because it places sperm directly in the uterus, close to the fallopian tubes where fertilisation occurs.

Lower cost compared to other fertility treatments: IUI is less expensive than in vitro fertilization (IVF), making it a more affordable option for couples who are struggling with infertility.

Minimal discomfort: The IUI procedure is relatively simple and does not require general anaesthesia, which means it is generally less painful and more comfortable than other fertility treatments.

No need for medication to stimulate ovulation: In some cases, IUI can be performed without the use of fertility medication to stimulate ovulation, which can reduce the risk of complications and side effects associated with fertility drugs.

Can be used in combination with other treatments: IUI can be combined with other fertility treatments, such as ovulation induction or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), to further improve the chances of success.

Fewer risks of multiple pregnancies: IUI has a lower risk of multiple pregnancies than other fertility treatments, such as IVF, which can increase the risk of complications for both the mother and the babies.

Helpful for male fertility issues: IUI can be used to treat some male fertility issues, such as low sperm count or poor sperm motility, by placing a higher concentration of healthy sperm closer to the egg.

Disadvantages of IUI Treatment.

Lower success rates: Compared to other fertility treatments such as IVF, IUI has lower success rates, especially for couples with certain fertility issues like blocked fallopian tubes, PCOS, etc.

Increased risk of multiple pregnancies: IUI can increase the likelihood of having twins, triplets, or more, which can increase the risk of complications during pregnancy and childbirth.

Potential for infection: Inserting a catheter into the uterus during the IUI procedure can increase the risk of infection, particularly if there is already an existing infection in the reproductive system.

Limited benefits: IUI may not be effective for couples with certain types of infertility, such as severe male factor infertility or tubal blockages, which is where IVF treatment works as a great option.