Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) at Southern California Fertility Center
First Step in Getting Pregnant
Intrauterine insemination (IUI), also known as artificial insemination, is a relatively simple, non-surgical procedure that only takes a few minutes to perform. IUI is often considered a primary approach for couples experiencing difficulty conceiving. During this procedure, a trained fertility specialist places sperm directly into a woman’s uterus while she is ovulating. IUI may be an excellent first step in getting pregnant with the help of your team at Southern California Fertility Center in La Jolla.
What is Intrauterine Insemination (IUI)?
A commonly used fertility treatment, intrauterine insemination (IUI) bypasses the cervix and places specially prepared sperm into a woman’s uterus around the time of ovulation. Placing the sperm directly into the uterus shortens the path that sperm would normally take to a woman’s fallopian tubes, providing a better chance that more sperm will reach the egg and a pregnancy will occur. During an artificial insemination procedure, a woman will lie comfortably on an exam table while the clinician inserts a speculum into her vagina to view her cervix. Then, a catheter (narrow tube) is inserted through the cervix into the uterus, and the washed semen sample is slowly injected. The process is generally painless, though some women might experience mild cramping, which is rare.
Enhancing Fertilization With Intratubal Insemination
When is IUI Recommended?
- Female Infertility: IUI is recommended for women who do release an egg regularly (ovulation) but have difficulty getting pregnant. It usually will be combined with medications to help ovulate more than one egg. It is also used when a woman’s cervix has poor cervical mucus formation or scarring that prevents sperm from entering the uterus.
- Male Infertility: IUI is beneficial when the male partner has a low sperm count or if the movement of the sperm (motility) is less than ideal. It is also helpful for men who have problems developing an erection or being able to ejaculate (ED).
- Third-Party Reproduction: IUI is performed when couples use sperm from a donor. Donor insemination (DI) is often done in single women or same-sex female couples who want to have a baby. Alternatively, when the male partner’s sperm quality is severely compromised, or if the man has certain genetic diseases he does not want to pass on to his children.
Requirements for Artificial Insemination
- The woman being inseminated must have open fallopian tubes and ovulate (with or without medications).
- The sperm specimen must have at least five million motile sperm per cc.
- Woman's uterus must be evaluated and does not have any polyps of ingrowing fibroid in the cavity (submucosal fibroid).
IUI vs. IVF
Intrauterine insemination is a moderate treatment that places sperm directly in the reproductive tract. In vitro fertilization (IVF) ensures that the gametes (sperm and egg) are combined to achieve fertilization and the embryo is placed back in the uterus for implantation. An IUI failure does not reduce the prognosis for IVF success. Dr. Foyouzi will counsel you on which program is best for your individual situation, helping to avoid time loss and frustration in your journey to build a family. Economic considerations also play a role, as some insurance covers IUI but not IVF. Speaking to Dr. Foyouzi about beginning a personalized treatment plan at Southern California Fertility Center in La Jolla is important. However, the Success rate is only 5-10% with IUI vs 50-70% with IVF.
Artificial Insemination in La Jolla
La Jolla, a beautiful coastal area in San Diego, what makes Southern California Fertility Center stand out among other top-rated infertility centers and practices in La Jolla? Apart from their commitment to the highest levels of care and vast experience with reproductive medicine, SCFC offers the most complete artificial insemination treatment options to La Jolla residents and visitors. These options, along with their quality and expertise, play a significant part in why Southern California Fertility Center has been seeing more and more patients for IUI and other fertility treatments.