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IUI is short for intrauterine insemination. It involves the insertion of a man’s (a partners or a donor’s) semen into the uterus, through the womb and into the cervix close to the time of ovulation. It is a much easier and simpler form of fertility treatment. The semen used for conception whether from your partner or donor – is washed and prepared while the most motile sperm is selected and insulated until it is inserted into the womb. IUI is usually combined with a procedure to aid and stimulate the women’s ovulation and help with the ovulation process. With IUI is it crucial that you obey timelines and take note of when the prepared sperm is to be inserted into the uterus. Using an ovulation stimulator helps give the specialist a better chance to increase couples chances to conceive. Depending on the fertility and medical history of both you and your partner, your best option is to get tested by a fertility specialist for a full evaluation to make sure you are a suitable candidate for IUI. An accurate diagnosis is imperative to ensure that your treatment plan is suited for your specific fertility issue.
Before IUI, you may take fertility medicines that help make your eggs mature and ready to be fertilized. Your doctor will do the insemination procedure during ovulation (when your ovaries release an egg). Sometimes you’ll be given hormones that trigger ovulation. They’ll figure out exactly when you’re ovulating and ready for the procedure to maximize your chances of getting pregnant.
Your partner or donor collects a semen sample at home or in the doctor’s office. The sperm are prepared for insemination through a process called “sperm washing” that pulls out a concentrated amount of healthy sperm. Sperm washing also helps get rid of chemicals in the semen that can cause reactions in your uterus and make it harder to get pregnant. If you’re using donor sperm from a sperm bank, the sperm bank generally sends the doctor’s office sperm that’s already “washed” and ready for IUI.
During the IUI procedure, the doctor slides a thin, flexible tube through your cervix into your uterus. They use a small syringe to insert the sperm through the tube directly into your uterus. Pregnancy happens if sperm fertilizes an egg, and the fertilized egg implants in the lining of your uterus.
The insemination procedure is done at your doctor’s office or at a fertility clinic, and it only takes about 5-10 minutes. It’s pretty quick, and you don’t need anaesthesia. IUI is usually not painful, but some people have mild cramping.
The cost of IUI varies depending on what type of insurance coverage you have and how much your doctor’s fees are. IUI is usually less expensive than other fertility treatments, like IVF. In general, it costs about $300-$1,000 without insurance.
A few states have laws that say health insurance companies must cover some or all of the costs of infertility treatment if you meet certain requirements. But many insurance plans don’t offer any fertility treatment coverage at all.
You can get more information about insurance coverage of IVF and other fertility treatments at The National Infertility Association
