At IVF Matters, we’re here to support you in the process of creating your family by providing the right fertility treatment for you.
With the help of intrauterine insemination (IUI) — one of the many fertility treatments we offer at our pioneering Marylebone clinic — we could help you start your wonderful journey into parenthood.
What is intrauterine insemination (IUI)?
Intrauterine insemination is a non-invasive treatment that can encourage pregnancy.
Intrauterine insemination — otherwise known as IUI — is a method of artificially inseminating a sample of filtered sperm and placing it into the uterus at the time as natural ovulation. The sperm sample can come from a partner or a donor, depending on your situation.
IUI that can be used by same-sex couples, heterosexual couples single women. Many people who access IUI do so because they’re struggling to conceive, or perhaps they’re unable to have sexual intercourse.
What is the difference between IUI and IVF?
You will have probably heard of in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) and may wonder what the difference is between IUI and IVF.
IUI is less invasive than IVF. In IVF, the eggs are taken out of the body and fertilised in a lab — making the process much lengthier, as the eggs then have to be placed back into the womb.
IUI is essentially natural fertilisation that takes place within the body, rather than outside of it. Hence, your fallopian tubes need to be patent in order for the egg and sperm to meet.
Another key difference is that in IUI, only the highest quality sperm are selected and placed into the uterus. These sperm can then naturally fertilise the egg, allowing the woman to become pregnant.
When is IUI recommended?
Some women experience problems with ovulation, and IUI may be advised in addition to the use of ovulation inducing medication to further improve the chances of conception. .
Other reasons why IUI may be offered to you can include unexplained infertility, when you’re using a sperm donor, or if your partner has frozen their sperm.
IUI can be offered to those who aren’t able to have vaginal sex too, as it can help them to conceive naturally without putting pressure on their body.
What is the process of IUI treatment?
The process of IUI treatment is relatively simple and pain-free. The length of the treatment should be the average length leading to ovulation, which is 14 days.
Before the insemination takes place, the woman’s egg reserve will be checked, as well as the fallopian tubes. The sperm of your partner will be checked as well. All of these checks ensure you’re giving your body the best chance of getting pregnant.
Once the checks have been completed, you’ll receive scans and blood tests until you’re ready to have the trigger injection. This hormonal injection stimulates the body to ovulate — allowing the sperm the best shot at reaching it.
The sperm sample is then placed into the womb via a catheter, to encourage fertilisation.
You’ll then have to wait to see if the treatment has worked as you normally would by taking a pregnancy test 16 days later.
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How to prepare for IUI treatment
When preparing for your IUI treatment, you can expect to have a thorough medical exam, as well as other fertility tests to ensure the treatment is right for you.
These tests can include and aren’t limited to:
- Ultrasounds of the ovaries and uterus
- Dye test to check your fallopian tubes and uterus
- Semen analysis
- Blood tests
- STI tests
It’s often best to abstain for 2 days from having sex before the procedure as well, as it may disrupt the process.
Sometimes, ovulation-stimulating medication may be prescribed to you, as your body may need a bit of extra help with preparing the egg for fertilisation.
If you have any questions about preparing for your IUI procedure, be sure to ask your consultant beforehand.
What to expect after IUI treatment
After the IUI procedure has been completed, there may be some mild side effects, which can include mild cramping and light spotting, If either of these side effects becomes severe, seek medical attention right away.
Most people find that they can get back to their everyday routine fairly quickly after their IUI has been completed, but it is best to follow any specific instructions given to you by your consultant.
How much does intrauterine insemination cost?
We offer intrauterine insemination in London at our Marylebone clinic at affordable, accessible costs.
Intrauterine insemination (IUI) – £1,449
This price includes the following:
- HFEA Fee
- Nurse Consultation
- Cycle Management
- Ultrasound Monitoring
- Sperm Preparation
- IUI procedure
- Consultation with Nutritionist or Counsellor*
* First cycle of treatment
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How successful is IUI treatment?
The chance of an IUI procedure resulting in pregnancy will depend on a lot of different factors. For example, the cause of infertility could hinder the success rate of the procedure, as could the man’s sperm quality or the count.
At IVF Matters, we take the utmost care when selecting the sperm sample to give you the best chance of success resulting in pregnancy.
Like many other types of fertility treatment, IUI does tend to be more successful the younger you are. However, there’s still a good chance that you can get pregnant even if you are slightly older when you go through IUI.
It’s worth noting that the older you are, the more cycles you may need to try before falling pregnant.
Is IUI safe?
IUI as a procedure is very safe, as it’s minimally invasive and the risk of any serious complications is pretty low. However, as with any medical procedure, there are some risks attached.
The risks of an IUI procedure are:
- Multiple pregnancies/births
- Infections
- Spotting
- Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) – this is extremely rare
The risks of the procedure will be explained to you before you start the treatment, so you’ll be able to decide if you’re willing to go ahead or not.
Take the next step to grow your family with IVF Matters
If you’re considering IUI, get in touch with us today — we’ll be able to advise you on a full range of options based on your individual fertility needs.
We offer free 15-minute advisory calls to anyone looking to learn more about our approach, our specific treatments or our products.
Our leading fertility experts are ready to give you all the advice, support and treatment you need to increase your chances of having a baby and help you on this incredible journey.
