More on Intrauterine Insemination

Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) offers infertility patients a simple, less invasive and less expensive option to enhance fertility. Before offering IUI, women should have at least one patent fallopian tube as diagnosed during hysterosalpingography (radiographic contrast dye is injected into the uterus through the cervix and runs through the fallopian tubes).

Some different techniques are used to prepare the sperm for IUI. Separation of spermatozoa from the seminal fluid is necessary prior to IUI. Seminal fluid contains some components that if are placed in the uterus may cause very painful contractions.
Motile spermatozoa are separated from dead spermatozoa and other cell types with methods like gradient density centrifugation.
Sperm preparation is completed in approximately 2 hours. After preparation, washed sperm is placed directly in the uterus, using a thin, flexible catheter. The woman may return to her normal activities immediately after the procedure.

Women interested in receiving IUI treatment should measure estradiol and FSH levels on day 3 of their cycle, irrespective of their age. Moreover, it has been already mentioned that hysterosalpingography should be performed to confirm tubal patency (at least one fallopian tube patent).

Every man producing a sperm sample for IUI should be tested for sexually transmitted diseases. If donor sperm is used from a sperm bank, then the sample should be accompanied by the documents of donor screening.

Male screening involves testing for HIV (AIDS), HTLV I, RPR (syphilis testing), HBsAg and Hepatitis C antigens. Screening should be completed before performing IUI.