Intrauterine inseminations (IUI) have been used to treat infertility at Nova IVF since 1987.
The partner's or donor's semen can be used for the IUI.
This treatment is most appropriate for couples without a significant oocyte (egg) quality factor, with patent Fallopian tubes and no history of male factor infertility.
IUI is commonly used as a less expensive alternative to more advanced infertility treatments (i.e., in vitro fertilization).
IUI should not be used for couples with a history of long-standing infertility (longer than 18 months) or if the female partner is 40 years or older.
At that point, the remaining reproductive time has become too valuable and you should consider treatments with a higher chance of success (for instance in vitro fertilization).
It is important to remember that the intrauterine insemination is NOT a treatment for male factor infertility.
In fact, with the presence of male factor infertility there is no higher probability of conception with artificial insemination than there is with intercourse.
Couples with male factor infertility will need to consider in vitro fertilization treatment.
Since IUI success increases when combined with ovarian stimulation, with either oral or injectable medications,
many couples undergoing intrauterine inseminations at Nova IVF will have ovarian stimulation as a part of their treatment
The intrauterine insemination is timed to your ovulation. If the IUI is done without additional ovarian stimulation,
you will have one or more ultrasound examinations of the ovaries for a very precise IUI timing. You may also be asked to do home ovulation predictor urine testing.
If the IUI is done in conjunction with ovarian stimulation, the response of your ovaries will determine the timing of the insemination.
The male partner collects a semen sample the morning of the IUI either at home or at Nova. The embryologists will prepare the sperm for the insemination.
This multi-staged process of retrieving the highest quality sperm from the semen sample will take approximately two hours. The sperm are then loaded into an IUI catheter.
The intrauterine insemination is done by passing a soft,
thin catheter through the cervical canal into the endometrial cavity. The catheter is advanced to within 5mm of the top of the uterus and the sperm are gently released.
The insemination usually takes only a few seconds and you may not even feel the catheter being passed.
If you wish, you can rest afterwards but resting is not a requirement at Nova. Your pregnancy test will be scheduled 2 weeks after the insemination.
For additional information, please see Nova Treatments and Fees page.
If you wish to schedule an appointment for intrauterine insemination,
please go to IUI New Patient Appointment.
