IUI is an effective treatment for many people who struggle to conceive

Many people come to us to see a fertility specialist in Lexington after trying to conceive on their own without success. Some are worried that they may need complex, expensive fertility treatment. Thankfully, many just need a little extra help getting the sperm to meet the egg. That’s where IUI, or intrauterine insemination, comes in. This procedure, which involves injecting sperm directly into the uterus around the time of ovulation, can be an affordable, effective option in certain cases.

Who might need IUI to conceive?

Not all people who need help to conceive are good candidates for IUI, but for those who are, it can be a cost-effective treatment option. This procedure is particularly appropriate in certain cases.

• Women with ovulation disorders, cervical scarring or a single blocked fallopian tube
• Couples facing mild or moderate sperm count or quality issues
• Couples dealing with sexual dysfunction
• Lesbian couples who wish to use donor sperm
• Women who want to become single mothers by choice using donor sperm
• Cases of unexplained infertility

For some people, intrauterine insemination is not an option, and IVF may be the best path forward. For example, women with two blocked fallopian tubes are not good candidates for this procedure, as the pathways for sperm to meet the egg are not open. People diagnosed with a very low sperm count or diminished ovarian reserve are also more likely to be successful with IVF. For gay male couples and single men who want biological children, we recommend IVF with an egg donor and gestational carrier. 

How does intrauterine insemination work?

Once called “artificial insemination,” this procedure typically involves several steps and close monitoring by your fertility specialist in Lexington.

• Medication. Most people need medication as part of their treatment cycle. The female partner may take ovulation-suppressing medication prior to cycle start, then will begin taking an oral medication such as Clomid, or clomiphene citrate, which prompts the development of multiple eggs at the same time. Some women may need a stronger medication, such as injectable gonadotropins.
• Monitoring. To reduce the risk of a high-risk multiple pregnancy, the woman will return to our office several times for blood work and vaginal ultrasound exams, which allow us to see how many eggs are developing on the ovaries and ensure that the uterine lining is ready to receive an embryo. It is very important that the couple abstain from intercourse during the treatment process. If too many eggs develop at once, the cycle may be cancelled, as becoming pregnant with more than one baby at a time can be dangerous for both the mother and babies.
• Trigger shot. When the eggs are mature, the woman will take an injection of hCG, a hormone that will cause the eggs to ovulate. By timing this shot perfectly, we can be sure to introduce sperm at the optimal time.
• Semen sample. The day of the procedure, the male partner will provide a semen sample to our IVF lab. The sample will be “washed” so that only the healthiest sperm are used for the insemination. If donor sperm are used, the sample will be thawed and prepared the day of the procedure.
• IUI procedure. For this procedure, the female partner will come to our office, where she will undress and lie down, as she would for a typical gynecological exam. Her Lexington fertility specialist will insert a thin catheter into her vagina and pass it through the cervix. The prepared sperm will then be injected into the uterus, where it can make its way toward the egg(s) to achieve fertilization. Some women may experience mild cramping during this procedure, but you can return to your normal activities the same day.
• Pregnancy test. In two weeks, the woman will return to our office for a beta hCG pregnancy test. If the test is positive, we will monitor the pregnancy through ultrasound and bloodwork for a few weeks, then care will transfer to the woman’s obstetrician for the rest of the pregnancy. If the test is negative, the process can be repeated, possibly with a change in medications. After three negative treatment cycles, we may recommend that you try other types of fertility treatment, such as IVF.

Contact us for a fertility evaluation

The first step in an IUI plan is fertility testing for both partners. These tests are typically covered by insurance, and can determine whether you are a good candidate for the insemination process. Contact us to schedule your appointment for complete fertility evaluation with an experienced fertility specialist in Lexington.