Intrauterine insemination (IUI) is a relatively low-tech approach to
fertility treatment. It involves preparing the male partner’s sperm in the laboratory and placing the mobile and healthy sperm into the woman's uterus at the time of ovulation. IUI can be performed with the sperm of the male partner or with donor sperm.
The success of IUI depends on 2 factors:
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The indication for IUI (the reason it is being performed)
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Whether performed in a drug stimulated or natural (drug-free) cycle
The success rates of IUI are generally higher if
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Performed to overcome the problem of lack of sperm
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Used for cervical mucus hostility when sperm are killed within the cervix
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Intercourse is not occurring normally due to cases like ejaculation dysfunction
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Drug-stimulated cycle (superovulation intrauterine insemination)
Assuming a good response is being maintained, up to three cycles of IUI may be attempted for most couples. Subsequently, your fertility specialist in Singapore will review the treatment. You can consider further IUI treatment or move on to other forms of fertility treatment at that stage.
IUI is not an appropriate treatment if the partner has male factor subfertility, such as obtaining less than five million motile sperm at the end of the sperm preparation technique. The chance of
pregnancy is also reduced in women over the age of 40 years.
Risks Of Intrauterine Insemination Treatment
Concerned about intrauterine insemination treatment? Understand its risks and make sure to discuss them with your fertility doctor in Singapore.
Multiple pregnancy
There is a risk of multiple pregnancy for couples who undergo IUI treatment in a stimulated cycle. Approximately 1 in 4 women who become pregnant following this treatment will have a multiple pregnancy. Usually, this is a twin pregnancy, although triplet pregnancies occur in approximately 1 in 20 of all pregnancies conceived.
A fertility specialist in Singapore will know how many eggs are being produced by the ultrasound monitoring discussed above, so you can avoid having four or more babies simultaneously. If your fertility specialist sees many follicles developing during your ultrasound monitoring, it is preferable to cancel the treatment in that month than risk several babies being produced.
Ovarian hyperstimulation (OHSS)
As the ovaries are stimulated more than they would be in a natural cycle, they become larger and contain fluid-filled structures (follicles) that hold the eggs. The ovaries may become very swollen, leading to OHSS.
Seek medical attention if your symptoms include
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Abdominal pain and swelling
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Shortness of breath
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Nausea and possibly vomiting
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Reduction in urine output
If severe symptoms occur, hospitalization may be necessary to replace the fluid minerals and protein as well as to prevent further complications.
The chances of OHSS developing are less than 1 in 100 for patients having IUI treatment. Although it is not possible to be certain which patient will develop OHSS, patients with polycystic ovaries are more at risk. This will be assessed during the preliminary consultation at the fertility clinic in Singapore prior to starting the IUI treatment.
Contact Us Today
Considering getting intrauterine insemination (IUI)? Speak to our fertility and IVF specialist in Singapore to discuss your options at 6472 7988.