#ThursdayThoughts
As promised, each Thursday, we will now offer you a piece of educational, science, or research related information. The purpose of our #ThursdayThoughts post is to share with you fact-based content that can enlighten and assist you on your fertility journey. Enjoy our post! Helping to Create New Beginnings….
What is an IUI?
An intrauterine insemination (IUI) is a type of treatment that is often recommended to patients with a mild male factor infertility – when a male partner’s semen analysis shows below-average values of sperm concentration, movement, and/or shape. However, it is also commonly recommended with other types of infertility diagnoses, as it allows placement of the sperm in close proximity to the egg at an optimal time of the cycle. An IUI is also performed when patients are using donor sperm to achieve pregnancy.
IUI is a quick gynecologic procedure; it typically causes minimal to no discomfort and may be compared to a pap smear. Prior to an IUI, a sperm sample is prepared by a laboratory technician, who isolates the sperm from the semen. During an IUI, a speculum is gently placed into a patient’s vagina to visualize her cervix, an entrance into the uterus. A flexible, thin catheter is then used to introduce the sperm into the uterus close to the fallopian tubes where fertilization takes place. It may cause some mild cramping, which subsides shortly after the procedure. Patients may also experience some cramping if a trigger shot was given prior to IUI to optimize the timing of ovulation. Patients are advised to wait for 2 weeks after the IUI to do a home pregnancy test. Our experienced doctors at the Fertility Institute of Hawaii can help you decide whether IUI is the best treatment option for your specific fertility concerns. To inquire about fertility evaluation and treatment options, please contact Fertility Institute of Hawaii at 808-545-2800 or visit https://www.ivfcenterhawaii.com.
