IUI, or Intrauterine insemination, is a fertility treatment where sperm is directly placed into a woman’s uterus to improve the chances of pregnancy. Compared to IVF, it is a less invasive treatment. IUI relies on the natural selection of sperm. IUI is a more controlled treatment. Usually, people choosing any type of fertility treatment will be concerned about the success of it. In the case of IUI treatment, the success rate depends on various factors. The reason behind infertility is a significant component that can have an immediate influence on the success of the procedure.
Let’s find out the reasons that may lead a medical professional to recommend IUI for a person.
More than a year old infertility cases
Unexplained infertility
Endometriosis
Low sperm count and motility
Erectile dysfunction
Issues with ejaculation
Cervical mucus
IUI is also the best option for single mothers and lesbian couples who want to become parents.
The Procedure For IUI Involves Certain Steps, They Include,
Generally, the success rate of IUL after the first try is nearly 10 to 20 percent. It is very common in IUI, that a couple may undergo the procedure up to three times. Different factors influence the success rate of IUI. Let’s explore the most common factors that significantly impact the success of IUI.
Assessment of menstrual cycle: Monitoring a patient’s menstrual cycle lets medical professionals get a clear picture of ovulation. Your doctor will be able to determine the date and time of ovulation through careful assessment of your cycle. In some cases, human chronic gonadotropin injections will be used to stimulate ovulation and release multiple eggs.
Collecting sperm: Acquiring the sperm sample from the partner is the next step in the process. A doctor may tell you to refrain from sex at least 3 or 4 days before sperm collection. This is to ensure increased sperm count and mobility.
Artificial insemination: Unlike IVF, IUI is less invasive. It includes fewer steps and less complicated procedures. Artificial insemination is the last step. Once the semen is collected from the partner and gets ‘sperm washed’, the doctor will place the concentrated sperm inside the uterus. If the procedure is successful you will get pregnant. The doctor will recommend you take a pregnancy test after two weeks of insemination.
Factors Affecting The Success Rate Of IUI
The success rate of IUI is around 10 to 30 percent. The success percentage increases during each number of tries. However, these factors have crucial impacts on altering the rate of IUI success.
Age: Age plays an important influence on any kind of fertility treatment. If you are under 35, you have a higher chance of getting pregnant through IUI. If you are someone between 35 to 40 the success rate reduces to 9 percent. In women who are beyond 40 IUI success will reduce to 3%. The quality of the egg will also decrease as per the age of the female.
Reason for Infertility: Various reasons can potentially result in infertility. PCOS, mild infertility, and ovulation abnormalities have lesser chances of IUI failure. However, Endometriosis is a condition that can result in poor IUI failure, because the condition like endometriosis is hard to treat.
Reasons for male infertility: The male partner’s cause of infertility is crucial in determining IVF success. Sperm motility, unexplained infertility, and sperm count may impact poor IUI success.
Insemination timing: The timing of insemination plays a pivotal role. An experienced doctor can carefully monitor the menstrual cycle. It is better to inseminate within 24 to 36 hours after the LH detection or hCG injection.
Semen collection: The male partner will be asked to ejaculate into a sterilized jar. The collected sample of semen will undergo ‘sperm washing’ to separate sperm. All these procedures should be conducted within the premises of the hospital. The timing of the collection and the concentration procedure need to be done in less than an hour before the insemination procedure.
Semen Preparation: Collected samples will not be directly inserted, into the uterus. Semen will undergo washing to separate quality sperm. The sperm with minimal DNA damage will be separated. During the insemination, only good-quality sperm will be transferred. There are different types of sperm-washing techniques. Expertise and technique used in the clinic will determine the quality of IUI.
Pre-IUI care: Before the insemination procedure, the couples need to undergo health check-ups to rule out the chances of infection. If any concerns occur, the IUI procedure will be kept on hold, until the ailment or infection is cured. The technique and expertise of the doctor during IUI have a direct impact on the success.
When you look at other factors that can have a significant impact on IUI success, stress, diet, physical activity, post-IUI care, and sex make the list.
Tips To Improve IUI Success
IUI failure is common, and many reasons can contribute to an unsuccessful IUI. Sometimes, IUI takes around 3 attempts to be successful. Well, you can increase your chances of success by following these tips,
Healthy diet – A balanced diet is crucial for IUI success. Include more fruits and veggies in your diet. Avoid fish that contain mercury and processed foods. Eat a lot of leafy vegetables, dried fruits, and nuts.
Healthy weight – You may be asked to reduce or increase your weight by your doctor before the treatment. It is important to maintain a specific body weight during IUI. Unhealthy body weight can lead to a failed pregnancy.
Manage stress – It is normal for a couple to feel stressed during fertility treatment. However, excess stress can negatively impact your treatment journey. It is better to learn techniques to manage your stress.
Communication – Maintain effective communication with your doctor. Always seek the opinion of your doctor if you have any doubts or concerns.
Exercise – Do moderate physical activities. Inactivity is not recommended for anyone trying to get pregnant. Do moderate levels of exercise.
Healthy lifestyle – Avoid smoking and drinking and reduce the amount of sugar and caffeine intake. Stay away from any kind of synthetic drugs.
Conclusion
IUI has a lower success rate than IVF. But when it comes to mild infertility issues and conditions like PCOD, IUI seems to be the best option. Age, the reason for infertility, insemination timing, Sperm separation, and technique and expertise of the clinic and the doctor can influence the success of IUI. It is a common thing that your first IUI attempt may fail. A healthy diet, a healthy lifestyle, stress management techniques, exercising, good communication with the doctors, and a healthy weight can increase the chances of pregnancy in IUI.
Dr. Sharath P Devdas is a highly skilled fertility specialist and gynecologist with a passion for providing the best care to his patients. He completed his MBBS from Universal College of Medical Science (Tribhuvan University) and pursued further specialization with a Fellowship in Reproductive Medicine (FRM). With over a decade of experience in the medical field, Dr. Sharath has earned a reputation as one of the country's finest practitioners in his field. He currently serves as the director and chief consultant at Fertility First IVF Centre, where his compassionate approach and vast knowledge create a sanctuary for his patients.
