INTRAUTERINE INSEMINATION(IUI)

IUI is often considered a “first line treatment” for certain infertility conditions. At FERTILITE in Tijuana, we offer the full spectrum of infertility procedures to help patients realize their dreams of creating families. These services include the fertility diagnostic evaluation, ovulation induction with gonadotropins for intrauterine insemination (IUI) and IVF, donor egg IVF, reproductive surgical procedures including tubal reversal surgery, specialized treatment of PCOS, and many others

IUI patients most often undergo ovulation induction with FSH (Follistim, Gonal-F, Repronex, etc.) to cause the recruitment and development of eggs within the ovarian follicles. Once the eggs are judged mature an injection of hCG is given and the IUI is scheduled at both 18 and 36 hours later.

The male’s sperm for IUI is obtained and specially washed and prepared for insemination into the female. All seminal plasma is removed and the sperm is concentrated. In the IUI procedure, a small catheter is used to pass the sperm sample through the vagina, cervix, and into the uterus in a painless procedure. This process bypasses problems such as poor cervical mucus. Unwashed sperm must never be placed into the uterus as serious painful reactions can occur.

IUI is used to treat infertility resulting from mild male infertility, cervical mucus insufficiency, hostile cervical mucus, some structural irregularities in women, as well as selected cases of unexplained infertility. In cases of moderate to severe male factor, IVF with intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is usually recommended.

IUI cycles should be managed by a reproductive specialist thoroughly familiar with the use of injectable fertility medications.

When IUI is used in conjunction with an FSH ovulation induction protocol the probability of conception almost doubles than with other less aggressive methods. To find out if you are a good candidate for ovulation induction IUI contact our office.