Intra Uterine Insemination (IUI)

Using Male Partner's Sperm

Intra-uterine insemination is the introduction of prepared sperm into the uterus in order to improve the chances on pregnancy. IUI is recommended for couples in which the woman has open fallopian tubes and the male partner has normal semen parameters.

IUI involves tracking the progress of the menstrual cycle using ultrasound scans and blood tests. For those women who do not have regular menstrual cycles, ovulation induction may be employed to help stimulate the production of a mature follicle. The IUI procedure is performed on the day of ovulation.

Once ovulation has been confirmed, the male partner produces a semen sample. This semen sample is then prepared in the laboratory by the Embryologist. The aim of the preparation process is to harvest a good number of motile, normal-looking sperm. The prepared sperm are then introduced, through a fine catheter, into the woman's uterus.

The success rate for IUI is typically between 10-15 % per cycle.

IUI is also available using donor sperm.