Intrauterine Insemination, or IUI, is a simple and highly affordable fertility treatment in which healthy sperm cells are transferred directly into the woman’s uterus during ovulation. The procedure enhances the chances of pregnancy by making it easier for the sperm to reach the eggs and successfully fertilize them.
Why would your IVF specialist in Navi Mumbai recommend IUI instead of IVF or ICSI? IUI is usually recommended to patients with:
Often, IUI is done as a first treatment for unexplained infertility.
IUI can help overcome some male fertility issues, like low sperm count or sperm motility.
IUI can help women with mild endometriosis conceive as long as their fallopian tubes are healthy.
Sometimes, scarring or thick cervical mucus can stop sperm from reaching the egg. IUI bypasses the cervix by placing sperm directly into the uterus, which is why it is useful in cases of cervical issues.
IUI can also help in cases where infertility is caused by issues with ovulation, such as lack of ovulation or a low ovarian reserve.
IUI can also be carried out with donor sperm. This option can be used for single women trying to conceive or in couples where the male partner has an extremely low sperm count or low-quality sperm that cannot cause pregnancy.
IUI treatment in Navi Mumbai can be a simple solution to your fertility issues. Here are some reasons why IUI is an appealing fertility treatment for many:
IUI is more affordable than other fertility treatments like ICSI or IVF.
It is a simple procedure that requires no anesthesia and only takes about 15 minutes. It causes minimal discomfort and is less painful than other fertility treatments.
IUI increases the likelihood of fertilization by delivering sperm directly to the uterus, near the fallopian tubes, where fertilization takes place.
IUI, unlike IVF or ICSI, has a lower risk of causing multiple pregnancies. Multiple pregnancies can be riskier than a single pregnancy because they can result in complications for both the mother and the child.
IUI is also used to bypass certain male fertility issues, such as low sperm count or motility.
In the IUI treatment, timing is the key factor. It is strongly advised that the procedure be carried out in the early hours of ovulation—usually after 24 to 36 hours.
The woman is given oral or injectable fertility medication with the aim of stimulating ovulation and increasing the number and quality of the eggs that are released while she ovulates. IUI can also be carried out via a ‘natural cycle’ i.e., without the use of any fertility-enhancing medications.
Blood tests and ultrasounds are carried out every 2-3 days to monitor the woman’s ovulation, egg development, and hormone levels. They also help doctors plan the ideal time to conduct the IUI procedure to minimize the risk of multiple pregnancies.
The patient receives an injection of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) that triggers ovulation in approximately 36 to 42 hours. The IUI treatment is scheduled once doctors confirm ovulation.
The sperm sample is first washed to separate the weak sperm from the active, high-quality ones. Processing the sperm in this manner also removes debris, seminal fluid, and certain chemicals that could make it harder to get pregnant. Once the sperm has been washed, only mobile sperm are used in insemination.
The healthy, mobile sperm are injected into the uterus through a small, flexible catheter. The process only takes a few seconds and is relatively painless. Usually, only one insemination is required, but in some cases, your IUI doctor in Navi Mumbai may recommend insemination twice in a row.
Once the process is complete, the woman is recommended to abstain from any strenuous exercise and sports. After a week, testing is conducted to monitor the levels of progesterone and oestrogen as well as HCG.
The doctor might give you medication for progesterone. Pregnancy testing is usually carried out 14 days after IUI, as testing too soon would cause a false positive or negative.
Intrauterine insemination is generally a very safe procedure, but it can sometimes pose certain risks. The risks of IUI treatment in Navi Mumbai include:
IUI has a low success rate but is normally recommended before IVF since it is cheaper and less invasive. IVF usually has a success rate of about 20%, which is the same as normal conception with no fertility issues.
IUI treatment has a low success rate, a high risk of multiple births, is not suitable for all cases, can cause infection or light vaginal bleeding, and in very rare cases can cause Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS).
IUI treatment is a very safe and minimally invasive procedure. There are very minor risks involved, such as the possibility of multiple pregnancies.
IUI isn’t effective in patients with severe fallopian tube blockage, moderate to severe endometriosis, blockage or removal of fallopian tubes, and in couples where the male produces no sperm.
The cost of IUI in Navi Mumbai ranges from ₹5,000 to ₹20,000 per cycle. The exact cost depends on several factors, including the clinic, the number of cycles, and any additional services.