What is IUI?
Intrauterine insemination (IUI) is an assisted reproductive method which is performed when pregnancy is not achieved despite one year of regular unprotected sexual intercourse. In order to perform IUI, which is a simple and fast method, the man should have no sperm production, and the woman should have no egg production.
How is IUI performed?
In order to perform IUI, the reproductive problem of the couple must be diagnosed. The mother is examined by a gynaecologist; the father by a urologist. If IUI is deemed appropriate, the prospective mother is examined by the doctor on the third day of her menstruation. In this examination, the situation of the ovaries is assessed and, if necessary, medication is used to stimulate the ovaries. The hormone pills or injections are used for 5 to 7 days. Then, the number and size of the eggs are assessed again through a vaginal examination. If the situation is appropriate for fertilisation, a subcutaneous “trigger shot” is given, and the IUI process starts. The sperm sample collected from the father is examined in the laboratory. The highest-quality sperms that are most likely to result in pregnancy are selected and transferred to the uterus with the help of a catheter.
Who can undergo IUI?
To perform IUI, the sperm sample collected from the father should be of good quality. Additionally, the mother should not have any problems related to egg development. If the woman has ovulation problems, such as polycystic ovary syndrome; or if the father has a slight decrease in sperm count and motility, IUI can be performed. However, IUI is also used in cases of unexplained fertility or vaginismus.
What should you pay attention to before IUI?
There are several things that both women and men must pay attention to before a IUI procedure.
What men should pay attention to:
Smoking, alcohol, drugs or medication should not be used in the last 48 hours for sperm to be as fertile as possible. It has been established that such habits have an adverse effect on the structure and mobility of sperms.
What women should pay attention to:
The woman to undergo IUI should not have a vaginal infection during the process and should not use any vaginal drugs, cream or lotion.
Is bed rest necessary after IUI?
IUI is a painless procedure that lasts a couple of minutes. The procedure is performed with the patient lying in the lithotomy position, without the use of general anaesthesia.
After a 15-20 minutes rest, the patient can easily continue her daily life. There are very few symptoms after the procedure, but a doctor should be consulted if anything unusual occurs.
What should you look out for when choosing a centre for IUI?
The points that you need to consider when choosing a centre for IUI are as follows:
• The success rates of the centre
• The technological infrastructure
• A team of experts in their field
As Bahçeci IVF Centre, we have 23 years of expertise and experience, and witnessed the birth of over 60,000 healthy IVF babies. For more information on the IUI process and a quote, please fill in our contact form or call us on +90 444 3 949.
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