At IVFMD, we perform artificial inseminations – typically through Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) – on a daily basis, amounting to more than 1,000 times yearly and for a large variety of clinical indications.
Typically, an IUI is performed if testing reveals a problem with natural sperm exposure at the time of ovulation, caused by such factors as:
All patients undergoing ovulation induction are offered IUI to maximize success. Couples who have cryopreserved the intended father’s sperm can also benefit from IUI with frozen/thawed sperm, particularly if he has a busy travel schedule or is outside of the U.S. at the time of ovulation.
IUI is a fertility treatment in which sperm is placed directly into the uterus to increase the chances of fertilization. The procedure begins with sperm collection, which is then processed in a lab to concentrate and prepare the healthiest sperm. A thin catheter is used to insert the prepared sperm into the uterus, bypassing the cervix to bring the sperm closer to the egg. Factors influencing the chances of a patient conceiving via IUI include:
Inseminations can be done during a patient’s natural menstrual cycle, during which the timing of insemination is determined by using an ovulation predictor kit (a urine test). The IUIs can also be enhanced by increasing the number of “targets” for the sperm by giving the woman medications that allow her to produce more than one egg. These more aggressive treatments include the use of injectable hormones and often increase the chances of having twins or triplets (called multiple gestation).
For those couples or single women in need of a sperm donor, we offer frozen/thawed donor sperm insemination 7 days a week and with the utmost discretion. For patients’ convenience, we accept shipments from the sperm bank of their choice and will hold the frozen sperm for up to three months at no additional charge. Our long-standing working relationship with California Cryobank (since 1991) has helped hundreds of patients see their family dreams come true.
The typical pregnancy rate for insemination seldom exceeds the 20% rate of natural conception. As a result, it often takes more than one insemination cycle to have a good chance of getting pregnant. With women over the age of 37, it may be advisable to move quickly to more aggressive treatments – like IVF – to increase the chance of pregnancy occurring sooner and with fewer treatment cycles.
Insemination using injectable hormones may result in having more than one embryo implant in the uterus, which increases the likelihood of complications for both the mother and child, including, for example, a higher risk of cerebral palsy (CP) in twins compared to singleton pregnancies. To avoid these situations, some women who respond “too well” to the hormones (those who produce too many follicles) are not inseminated and are advised to use barrier protection until a new treatment cycle can be initiated with lower dosages of medications (where fewer follicles are produced), or are encouraged to consider progressing to IVF.
IUI may be a suitable fertility treatment for:
IUI is a minimally invasive procedure that doesn’t require pain medication or anesthesia. Patients may experience a slight pinching sensation, similar to a routine pap smear. Some individuals feel a little cramping as the catheter used to insert the sperm is passed through the cervix.
Most fertility specialists recommend three cycles of IUI before pursuing a more invasive treatment like IVF. However, this recommendation depends on each individual or couple's specific situation.
At IVFMD, our fertility specialists can evaluate your health to see if IUI treatment is the best option to help build your family. Schedule your consultation at one of our fertility clinics in Miami, Boca Raton, Cooper City, Jupiter, Naples, or Viera, FL.
