Virginia Center for Reproductive Medicine prides itself on
providing each patient with the utmost personal care and attention. We are
happy to answer any questions you may have about fertility treatments and the procedures
involved. Below, we have composed a list of most frequently asked questions
about the Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) process and associated responses.
Who should
consider IUI?
Patients suffering with low sperm count, decreased sperm
mobility, unexplained fertility, hostile cervical condition or ejaculation
dysfunction can all benefit from an IUI procedure.
How is IUI
done?
IUI with washed
semen is a technique that places prepared sperm directly into the uterus using
a catheter. IUI bypasses the vagina and cervix where many sperm are otherwise
lost, thus the number of motile sperm available to fertilize an egg is increased.
When
should the IUI procedure occur?
An IUI procedure is performed around the time of ovulation.
Does the
procedure hurt?
Most women consider IUI to be fairly painless, similar to
having a pap smear. There can be some minimal cramping
afterwards, but often what is felt is ovulation-related rather than from the
IUI.
Can sperm fall out?
Once sperm is injected into the
uterus it doesn’t fall out. Occasionally there is wetness after the IUI
procedure but this is related to the catheter loosening the cervical mucus.
How long after IUI should
implantation occur?
Implantation generally takes
place 7 days days after ovulation/your IUI procedure.
How soon can I take a pregnancy test?
It is highly recommend that the
patient wait two weeks before taking a pregnancy test to prevent a false
positive due to hormones and injectibles.
What is the success rate for IUI?
Success rates will vary with the couple’s original diagnosis and
the number of cycles of IUI. The pregnancy rate per cycle of insemination
is 15-20%. The pregnancy rate may be as high as 30-50% in couples
undergoing three cycles of IUI.
The use of
fertility medication, such as Clomid, Tamoxifen, or injectable Gonadotropins, increases
the chance of pregnancy. The pregnancy rate using Clomid/Tamoxifen is about 15-%,
and that of injectables/IUI is
about 20-25%, but these rates are
age-dependent and are significantly lower in women > 35. The
multiple pregnancy rate is about 5% with Clomid or Tamoxifen (mostly twins),
but increases to about 20-25% with injectable gonadotropins (some may be higher-order
multiples, i.e triplets or more).
How many IUIs should I try
before moving on to IVF?
It depends on what you can afford
and what medication you are taking. If a couple doesn't have success after four
ovulatory cycles on injectables with well-timed IUI, it would be time to
consider IVF.
If you are considering IUI or
other fertility treatments, we invite you to Contact
Us
The patients at VCRMED are taken
care of by a single physician who knows everything
about their specific case. We believe this care
results in faster success. We would love to assist you in making your dreams
come true.
