Intra-uterine Insemination

Intra-Uterine Insemination involves a laboratory procedure to separate fast-moving sperm from more sluggish non-moving ones. The fast-moving sperm are then placed into the woman’s womb close to the time of ovulation when the egg is released from the ovary in the middle of the monthly cycle.

Is IUI for us?
We may recommend IUI if:
There is unexplained infertility.
There are ovulation problems.
The male partner experiences impotence or premature ejaculation. What is IUI’s success rate?
Male factor infertility treated with IUI has a success rate of 15%.

How does IUI work?
For women:
Step 1
If you are using fertility drugs to stimulate ovulation, vaginal ultrasound scans are used to track the development of your eggs. As soon as an egg is mature, you are given a hormone injection to stimulate its release.

Step 2
The sperm is inserted 36 to 40 hours later. To do this, the doctor first inserts a speculum (an instrument that keeps your vaginal walls apart). This is the same instrument you may have encountered while having a cervical smear test.
A small catheter (a soft, flexible tube) is then threaded into your womb via your cervix. The best quality sperm is selected and inserted through the catheter.
The good news is that this entire process just takes a few minutes and is usually a painless procedure. Some women may experience temporary, menstrual-like cramping.

Step 3
You may wish to rest for a short time before going home. We will advise on the best time.

For men:
Step 1
We will ask you to produce a sperm sample on the day the treatment takes place. We have a comfortable sperm room in the IVF Centre where you will have complete privacy.

Step 2
The sperm are washed to remove the fluid surrounding them and the rapidly moving sperm are separated.

Step 3
The rapidly moving sperm are placed in a small catheter or tube to be inserted into the womb.