At exactly the right time, sperm is passed into the uterus. For many couples, this is an effective treatment and results in a pregnancy.

What is intrauterine insemination (IUI)?

The objective of IUI is to introduce a quantity of sperm into the female’s uterus, and thereby encourage fertilization. IUI is one of the simpler methods of assisted conception which might be considered for couples. Other terms for IUI include Assisted Insemination (AI) or Artificial Insemination (AI) or it is more commonly known as the ‘Turkey Baste’ method. We wash/prepare mainly motile sperm and remove seminal plasma and toxins.

Which couples benefit from intrauterine insemination?

Usually, IUI will only be performed in couples whose first investigations have failed to detect a specific cause of infertility or where there is a mild male sperm abnormality. Sometimes, IUI is all that is needed to assist conception.

What investigations will be performed before performing IUI?

Overall health

At your first consultation with your Fertility Specialist, you will have received advice about overall well-being, temperature charts and timed intercourse. In some cases, ovulation induction may have been attempted using fertility drugs.

Female functionality

Because the semen is transferred to the uterus, it is important that the female has no obvious reproductive abnormalities. Blood tests will have shown if you are ovulating, however, your Fertility Specialist may advise that the female must have an investigation called a Laparoscopy. This will confirm that the female “bits” are working properly, in other words, that the female is ovulating normally and has open fallopian tubes.

Sperm analysis

The male sperm will also be checked to ensure that the sperm is of a high quality. The tests we do in our andrology lab are more investigative than those completed by a normal pathology provider — we base our semen analysis on World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines.

The IUI treatment — step by step

  1. Ovulation is controlled by encouraging one or two eggs to mature by stimulating growth of follicles using fertility hormones (Follicle stimulating hormone or FSH).
  2. Your cycle is monitored regularly by measuring hormone levels in the blood to individualise drug doses and by trans-vaginal ultrasound scanning to identify the best time to insert the sperm.
  3. When one or two follicles have reached their target size of 18–20 mm and blood tests show E2 plus LH levels are high, ovulation is induced with a further hormone injection, human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG). We may have to cancel your cycle if more than two follicles mature.
  4. The insemination is timed on the morning of ovulation. A sample of fresh semen (produced earlier that same day) is prepared and sperm are placed high in the uterus of the female partner through a fine catheter. This is a painless procedure — similar to a PAP smear. A blood test will be undertaken approximately 7 days later to check the hormone progesterone levels and then 7 days later to establish if pregnancy has occurred.
  5. You will be told to have smaller doses of hCG at ovulation plus 4 days and ovulation plus 7 days.

Where can I find out more information?

See costs for more information.

Contact us on (02) 6175 9000 or email info@isisfertility.com.au.

© ISIS Fertility 2010
Canberra Australia

Web design by Starkis Design