The intrauterine insemination or artificial insemination is the process of intentionally introducing a donor’s sperm inside the cavity of a female to achieve pregnancy. It is a relatively common procedure conducted by a practitioner to help in pregnancy. It is one of the first procedures conducted during the stages of In Vivo Fertilization. It is the full process starting from the ovulatory stage to delivery, while Intrauterine Insemination or IUI is one of the first. It is conducted during the time of ovulation to maximize the chances of conception.
Why to perform Intrauterine Insemination?
IUI is used in many cases of infertility in both males and females, some of them are:
- Male infertility.
- Low sperm motility.
- Issues with cervical mucus.
- Ejaculation issues.
- Erectile dysfunction.
- Any unexplained infertility.
Other than these there may also be other reasons like:
- Same-sex couple wanting a baby.
- To avoid any kind of genetic defect that may be present in either partner.
- A single woman wanting a baby.
IUI is not performed if there are certain health issues like:
- Mild to severe endometriosis.
- Mild to severe pelvic infection.
How is it performed?
It is performed in ‘cycles’ i.e., the period of ovulation inside a female’s body. It may be done naturally i.e., no medication is required, the female ovulates during her own time and the sperm is placed. If the natural cycle is not an option, then they use medication and drugs to achieve something called ovarian stimulation resulting in the female producing one or more eggs, which increases the chances of fertilization and hence, the pregnancy.
Its safety and risks:
It is a fairly simple and quick treatment that does not require any anaesthetic.
But there may be certain issues that have been faced by some females had undergone the process, they include:
- Uterine cramping.
- Mild bleeding from the vagina.
- Due to forced ovulation, there is a chance of multiple pregnancies.
- The eggs may react in an over compensatory way resulting in the fluid build-up in the chest, kidney, and abdomen and may lead to the twisting of the ovary and losing the pregnancy.
Its success rates:
It is difficult to mention a particular number to exhibit the success rate of IUI. Since it depends on several factors like- the age of the couple, how high is infertility in them, if the female is reacting to the drugs given. It differs from couple to couple.
