What is Intrauterine Insemination (IUI)?
Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) is a popular fertility treatment and Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART). It helps overcome the natural barriers to the passage of the sperms from the vagina to the fallopian tubes. The IUI procedure places sperm in the uterus to begin their journey closer to the egg cells.
How much do the IUI treatment in India costs?
It is the most typical and less expensive procedure than other expensive fertility treatments like IVF, ICSI, and IMSI.
IUI is less invasive and much cheaper than IVF. Hence, it is the preferred method for single women and lesbians who choose to use donor sperm to achieve pregnancy. The cost differed from patient to patient based on many factors. To know the exact cost, it is advisable to consult an infertility specialist in India.
How is IUI done?
The process of IUI treatment in India includes the below-mentioned steps: –
- The semen sample is washed in an IUI lab.
- This sample contains an adequate amount of motile, normal sperms suspended in a nutrient medium.
- An ultrasound examination helps the fertility expert to determine the position of the uterus and whether the follicle has ruptures. So, the fertility expert can fix the right time for the placement of sperm.
- The fertility expert loads the sperm into the IUI catheter and directly injects the sperm into the uterine cavity during the ovulation period. Insemination of the sperm during ovulation helps in successful conception.
- After injecting the sperm into the uterus, the chances of pregnancy increase. The injection of sperm near the egg increases the fertilization probability.
What are the benefits of IUI?
- IUI does not involve the removal of eggs from a woman’s uterus, and thus there is less risk of complications.
- The IUI procedure does not require the administration of general anesthesia. Hence, there are no complications, both during the process and during the postoperative phase.
- The IUI can also be effective in a woman who needs to use sperm from a donor to become pregnant.
- It can treat different types of infertility conditions like low male factor, cervical factor, unexplained infertility, and ejaculatory dysfunction.
- IUI, in combination with ICSI as part of IVF, can achieve a better pregnancy rate, and success in women with a history of infertility or lesbians or singles.
Who should consider IUI?
IUI can be useful in patients with below conditions:
- If the semen sample has slightly low counts or motility or a mild degree of abnormal sperms, where we do not need to rush to IVF (Mild male factor infertility).
- Sexual problems in the male like impotence or premature ejaculation or retrograde ejaculation or sexual dysfunction.
- Conditions where the cervix is hostile and thereby destroys the sperms, as evidenced by specific tests.
If you have not been pregnant in about two or three IUI cycles, your doctor can also recommend IVF fertility treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions:
The success rate of IUI is about 15% to 20%. But the success rate also depends on various factors that are beyond the control of the doctors. Thus, the success rates of IUI are comparatively low as compared to IVF fertility treatment.
IVF involves fertilization of an ovum and sperm outside the uterus, i.e. in a lab. Further, the fertility expert inserts the fertilized embryos in the uterus. But in IUI the fertilization takes place after insertion of the sperm directly into the uterus.
Once the sperm is inserted into the uterus, it doesn’t fall out. Occasionally there is wetness after the IUI procedure, but this is related to the catheter loosening the cervical mucus.
Prenatal sex determination & sex selection is illegal in India and not done here. It is a punishable offence.