“Intrauterine insemination” simply means putting sperm into your uterus. It is the simplest form of treatment for couples having trouble conceiving. As it is so simple and easy, doctors may recommend that you try IUI before you try any other treatment.
IUI is carried out at the IVF unit. It is carried out with ovulation induction.
A doctor at the Unit will prescribe drugs to stimulate you to ovulate on a particular day, after carefully calculating the dose that is right for you. You will need two different types of drug.
Firstly, you will need a drug that tells the immature eggs in your ovaries to start growing and developing. The drugs that do this mimic the action of a hormone that occurs naturally in the body. This hormone is called “follicle stimulating hormone” (or FSH for short). FSH tells the immature eggs in your ovaries to grow. These immature eggs grow inside a bubble of fluid, known as a “follicle.”
You will be given regular >ultrasound scans whilst you are receiving these drugs. These scans will measure the size and number of your growing follicles, to decide when you are ready to ovulate.
When one follicle reaches the right size, you will be given another hormone injection. This hormone will stimulate the release of the egg from the follicle (ovulation).
Your IUI procedure will be carried out around this time.
One problem with ovarian stimulation prior to IUI is that more than one follicle may develop, causing a risk of multiple pregnancy.
The treatment room
The procedure will be carried out in a private treatment room at the IVF unit. It will either be carried out by a doctor or by a highly trained, experienced nurse. You will be asked to lie down on the treatment bed and place your legs in stirrups. (Stirrups are special footrests on the sides of the bed that hold your legs apart.)
Once you have made yourself comfortable, the doctor/nurse will insert an instrument called a speculum into your vagina. The speculum is not very big and plenty of lubricant will be used, so although this may be a little uncomfortable, it should not be painful. The speculum will hold the walls of your vagina apart so that the doctor/nurse can see your cervix clearly.
The recovery room
When your cervix is clearly visible, the doctor/nurse will insert a small plastic tube through the natural opening in your cervix and into your womb. This tube will be used to deliver the sperm to your womb. The best sperm will have been selected and prepared for this.
Intrauterine insemination can either be carried out using your partner’s sperm or with donor sperm.
Once inside your uterus, the sperm will hopefully swim towards your egg. This means that fertilisation will take place naturally inside your body.
Your partner will be asked to provide a fresh semen sample on the day of your IUI procedure. We have a dedicated, private room available for this. The sperm needs to be processed in the laboratory prior to insemination.
Many couples require donor sperm for their treatment to be successful
IUI can be carried out with donor sperm if your partner’s sperm are unable to fertilise your egg, or if you do not have a male partner.
Donor sperm is screened for infections such as HIV, hepatitis and syphilis prior to use.
Many couples require donor sperm for their treatment to be successful
There are many things that you will need to think about before you have treatment with donor sperm. At the Hull IVF unit, we insist that all patients considering treatment with donor sperm see one of our dedicated counsellors, so that they can talk over the psychological and legal implications of using donor sperm.
A law has been passed recently which means that sperm donors are no longer able to remain anonymous. This could potentially mean that, once your child reaches 18, they would be able to apply to the HFEA for the donor’s contact details. The HFEA (Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority) is a government organisation that regulates the use of human sperm, eggs and embryos in research and fertility treatments. The HFEA regulate the use of donor sperm and hold information about donors and donor-conceived children.
More information about using donor sperm can be found on the HFEA website (please see the link below).
The following links are on the website of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA), and will open up in a new browser window:
“What is IUI and how does it work?”. Sometimes it is helpful to have another explanation to help you understand a procedure. This link offers another explanation of IUI and how it is carried out.
“What is donor insemination and how does it work?”. More detail about using donor sperm for IUI.
“Using donated sperm in your treatment”. Some information on the legal implications of using donor sperm in your treatment.