What Is IUI?
IUI stands for Intrauterine insemination . IUI is an infertility treatment procedure that entails carefully injecting prepared sperm straight into the uterus. For couples with delayed conception, IUI increases the likelihood of getting pregnant.
Another name for the procedure is artificial insemination. IUI involves inserting the sperm at the same moment that an ovary releases one or more eggs. In the fallopian tube, which joins the uterus and ovaries, the sperm and egg are supposed to merge. This results in pregnancy if it occurs.
It is possible to schedule intrauterine insemination to coincide with the woman’s menstrual cycle. One of the two ovaries releases an egg during the monthly period. To encourage the ovaries to generate eggs, IUI may also be done in conjunction with fertility medications. The causes of infertility determine the precise approach that is taken.
IUI Procedure
The IUI process takes about four weeks (about 28 days) to complete from start to finish. It lasts roughly as long as a typical menstrual period.
You and your partnerwill get a comprehensive evaluation prior to the IUI procedure, which may involve blood tests, semen analysis, ultrasound, and other diagnostic procedures. Some patients use injectable treatment for up to two weeks or oral fertility medication for five days.
Your chances of ovulation and the release of many eggs are increased as a result.Some folks don’t need these drugs.The process of insemination is rapid.The sperm insertion process takes a few minutes.After that, your doctor could ask you to lie down for around fifteen minutes. Two weeks following insemination, a pregnancy test can be taken.
How Much Does IUI Cost In Nigeria?
The cost of IUI in Nigeria varies from one fertility clinic to the other. However, Omega Golden Fertility offers one of the most competitive prices for IUI in Nigeria.
To find out the cost of IUI in Nigeria, CLICK HERE
IUI Vs IVF What Are The Differences
In vitro fertilization (IVF) is not the same as intrauterine insemination (IUI), which involves fertilization inside the fallopian tube.Only sperm of superior quality remain after a sperm sample is taken and cleaned.During ovulation, a catheter is used to introduce this sample into your uterus.In the hopes that fertilization would occur, this technique facilitates the sperm’s easier access to the egg.
IVF involves fertilizing the sperm and egg outside of your body (in a lab), after which the embryo is transferred into your uterus.Compared to IVF, IUI is less costly and invasive.The success rate per cycle is lower with IUI.
Why IUI?
IUI is a reproductive option for same sex couples or women who want to have a child without a partner using a sperm donor. People select it for a variety of reasons, including infertility issues like
- Cervical mucus problems or other problems with your cervix. Your cervix separates your vagina and uterus from each other. Mucus produced by your cervix helps sperm travel from your vagina, through your uterus and to your fallopian tubes. Thick mucus can make it hard for sperm to swim. With IUI, sperm bypasses your cervix and goes directly to your uterus.
- Low sperm count or other sperm impairments. Semen analysis is part of infertility treatment. It may show that your partner’s sperm is small, weak, slow or oddly shaped, or that your partner doesn’t have much sperm. IUI can help these problems because only high-quality sperm is selected and used in your treatment.
- You’re using donor sperm. IUI is used when people use sperm from a person who isn’t the birth parent’s partner. This is called donor insemination (DI). DI is done when one partner has no sperm or when the sperm quality is so low that the sperm can’t be used. Single women or same-sex female couples who wish to conceive can also use donor sperm.
- Ejaculation or erection dysfunction. IUI can be used when one partner can’t get or sustain an erection or isn’t able to ejaculate.
- Semen allergy. In rare cases, people have an allergy to their partner’s semen. It can cause burning, swelling and redness in their vagina. IUI can be effective because the proteins causing the allergy are removed during sperm washing.
- Unexplained infertility. This is when healthcare providers can’t find the cause for infertility.
- Donor sperm. This is sperm donated by someone who may be known or unknown to you. It’s an option if you’re single, your partner doesn’t have sperm or the quality of the sperm is too low to conceive with. For people who need to use donor sperm to get pregnant, intrauterine insemination is most commonly used to achieve pregnancy. Donor sperm is obtained from certified labs and thawed before the IUI procedure.
- Unexplained infertility. Often, IUI is done as a first treatment for unexplained infertility. Medicines that help the ovaries produce eggs are commonly used along with it.
- Infertility related to endometriosis. Fertility problems can happen when tissue that’s like the lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus. This is called endometriosis. Often, the first treatment approach for this cause of infertility is to use medicines to obtain a good-quality egg along with doing IUI.
- Mild male factor infertility. Another name for this is subfertility. Some couples have trouble getting pregnant because of semen, the fluid that contains sperm. A test called semen analysis checks for problems with the amount, size, shape or movement of sperm. Semen analysis checks for these issues. IUI can overcome some of these issues. That’s because preparing sperm for the procedure helps separate higher quality sperm from those of lower quality.
- Cervical factor infertility. Problems with the cervix can cause infertility. The cervix is the narrow, lower end of the uterus. It provides the opening between the vagina and uterus. The cervix makes mucus around the time the ovary releases an egg, also called ovulation. The mucus helps sperm travel from the vagina to either fallopian tube, where the egg awaits. But if cervical mucus is too thick, it may impede the sperm’s journey. The cervix itself also may prevent sperm from reaching the egg. Scarring, such as that caused by a biopsy or other procedures, can cause the cervix to thicken. IUI bypasses the cervix to make pregnancy more likely. It places sperm directly into the uterus and increases the number of sperm available to meet the egg.
- Ovulatory factor infertility. IUI also may be done for people who have infertility caused by problems with ovulation. These issues include a lack of ovulation or a reduced number of eggs.
- Semen allergy. Rarely, an allergy to proteins in semen can cause a reaction. When the penis releases semen into the vagina, it causes a burning feeling and swelling where the semen touches the skin. A condom can protect you from the symptoms, but it also prevents pregnancy. IUI can allow for pregnancy and prevent the painful symptoms of the allergy. That’s because many of the proteins in semen are removed before the sperm is inserted.
We hope you found this piece very informative. You can book a consultation with us today for more.
Omega Golden Fertility is a specialized, premium, and assisted conception center in Nigeria. At Omega, the best of science, technology, and the highest ethical practices are combined to deliver real value to our numerous clients. We consider ourselves as the last frontier in the assisted reproduction industry. With state of art facilities, highly trained specialists, and a culture of excellence, omega is poised to bring her clients a lasting smile. Wouldn’t you rather talk to us? Help is just a click away.
You can get started by booking an online consultation session today.
Click HERE to book and schedule your hassle-free consultation.
WATCH THE FULL VIDEO BELOW TO LEARN MORE ABOUT US
You can also connect with us on all our social media handles for more regular updates
Facebook: @omegagoldenfertilityng
Instagram: @omegagolden