Intrauterine
Insemination, IUI
Intrauterine
insemination (IUI) is a common fertility treatment used
when patients fail Clomid
therapy. It is also employed in couples with
cervical factor infertility caused by poor mucus or antisperm
antibodies. IUI is sometimes used to treat mild male infertility or severe male factor using
a sperm donor. Dr. Goldstein offers IUI at both of our New York fertility clinic locations.
Success rates using IUI are lower than IVF but IUI is less expensive.
For
IUI to be successful, an adequate
quantity of good quality sperm must reach the egg. One sperm
must penetrate the eggs outer shell (zona pellucida) and
combine with the egg causing fertilization.
The
female partner will undergo ovulation induction with
FSH to cause the recruitment and development
of more than one egg. She will be carefully monitored by
Dr. Goldstein using ultrasound and estradiol hormone level
measurements and FSH dosage adjustments will be made. Only a qualified fertility specialist, like Dr. Goldstein should administer fertility drugs.
It is
very important that IUI patients be carefully monitored
by a reproductive endocrinologist to minimize the chances
of high order (>3) multiple births. The exact number
of eggs ovulated, and how many will fertilize, cannot be
precisely controlled. Most cases of quintuplets, and above,
which have appeared in the mass media resulted from IUI
cycles monitored by non-fertility specialists. 
Thirty-six
hours prior to the insemination the female receives an injection
of hCG or LH to stimulate ovulation. The couple returns
to the clinic at designated times for inseminations.
Sperm
are collected, via masturbation, at our clinic on the day
of the intrauterine insemination. Collection is made in
a sterile container and no lubricants of any kind can be
used. The sperm are specially washed, prepared, and concentrated
for insertion into the uterus using a small catheter.
We sometimes
hear stories of couples who attempt inseminations at home
with various "self styled" catheters. This is
extremely dangerous and must never be attempted. If "unprepared"
sperm are inserted into the uterus they can cause a fatal
allergic reaction. The adage, "Do Not Try This at Home"
is very true.
Success
rates for IUI vary according to variables such as the female's
age, cause of her infertility, presence of male infertility and
others. In general, the per cycle success rates for IUI
are significantly lower than IVF.
However, more cycles of IUI may be possible if treatment
cost is a factor.
Directions to Our New York Fertility Clinics
Site Disclaimer
|
