Intrauterine Insemination (IUI)

What is intrauterine insemination (IUI)?

IUI is a form of artificial insemination often used as a treatment option for infertility. 

During natural conception, your partner’s sperm must swim through your cervix and uterus and into your fallopian tube to reach the egg for fertilization. Only a small percentage of sperm actually make it to your fallopian tubes to fertilize the egg. Any barriers that interfere with sperm motility, such as thickened cervical mucus or weak sperm, may decrease your chances of any sperm from reaching the fallopian tubes and conception. 

With IUI, the fertility specialists at University Reproductive Associates place sperm (from your partner or a donor) directly into your uterus during ovulation to reduce travel time for the sperm and increase the chances of conception. 

Am I a good candidate for IUI?

The team at University Reproductive Associates determines if you’re a good candidate for IUI during your fertility consultation. The team performs thorough evaluations when you come to the office seeking solutions to help your infertility so they get the complete picture of your health and infertility issues and can provide you with the most effective treatments. 

The team may recommend IUI if:

• The cause of your infertility is unknown
• Your infertility is due to endometriosis 
• Your cervical mucus is too thick
• Your partner’s sperm is too weak 

IUI may also be recommended if you’re using donor sperm for conception. The fertility specialists at University Reproductive Associates have expertise in helping LGBTQ couples have children and IUI may be recommended.

Though effective for helping many couples have children, the team may recommend other infertility treatments if your fallopian tubes are blocked. 

What happens during IUI?

The fertility specialists take an individualized approach to care, so your IUI experience may be unique to your specific needs. However, the team follows general steps that may be included during your IUI cycle, such as:

• Baseline ultrasound three days before your period
• Initiation of ovulation inducing medications
• Periodic ultrasounds to measure follicular growth
• HCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) hormone injection to trigger egg maturation
• IUI 1 to 2 days after hCG injection
• Progesterone blood test to confirm ovulation
• Pregnancy test two weeks after IUI

The team can also time your IUI to match your natural ovulation if you’d prefer to avoid the use of ovulation inducing medications.

To learn more about IUI, contact University Reproductive Associates by phone or online today.