Intrauterine Insemination (IUI)
Intrauterine insemination (IUI) is one of the more basic, ‘low-tech’ treatments for infertility and the starting point for many individuals and couples who are having difficulty with conception on their own.
How it Works
IUI aims to develop multiple eggs rather than one egg that would naturally develop during a menstrual cycle. Once the eggs have reached the right stage, IUIs are performed using specially treated sperm from the partner or a donor. Unlike IVF, fertilization is taking place within the patient’s body instead of in the laboratory setting.
When to Seek IUI Treatment
An IUI is a very effective way to work around certain conditions that make it difficult to conceive on your own. Patients who have been diagnosed with unexplained infertility, mild male factor infertility, a cervical factor, or irregular or absent ovulation are often good candidates for IUI.
The Process
Undergoing an intrauterine insemination cycle often includes taking medication to stimulate the ovaries to produce eggs, then through a simple technique, directly injecting processed sperm into the uterus at the time of ovulation.