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Infertility Treatment

Intrauterine insemination (IUI)

The mucus barrier that exists in the cervix definitely reduces the number of sperm (both normal and abnormal) that can pass into the uterus and tubes following normal sexual intercourse. Normally about 15% of ejaculated sperm succeed in passing through the cervix. Where the male already has a reduction in sperm count and or morphology, and or motility, this normal barrier reduces the yield of fertile sperm even further.

Intravaginal as opposed to intrauterine insemination is rarely performed.

In order to improve the success rate of this type of treatment, the sperm is prepared as described below and is then is artificially inseminated by gentle insertion of a small plastic tube through the cervix into the uterus. No more than 0.2ml-0.5ml of prepared sperm is placed in the uterine cavity. The technique of sperm preparation or washing involves separation of the seminal plasma from the spermatozoa and selection of the more morphological normal and motile sperm for insemination. The potential improvement in fertility that this type of treatment may yield depends upon the male problems, and should be discussed with your doctor.

When IUI is combined with induction of ovulation (IO) pregnancy rates of 20-25% per 3-4 cycles of treatment are not uncommon. This represents the most commonly used alternative to IVF where applicable.