IUI Treatment in Hyderabad
Becoming parents is the lifetime dream and desire of every couple. Nothing can compare to the joy and happiness that comes with parenthood. In most cases, the entire process of pregnancy usually goes smoothly. Some couples, however, face difficulties in conceiving naturally due to a variety of infertility problems, either in men or women.
If you are one of those couples with infertility problems, Dr Mounika Reddy, Gynecologist and Fertility Expert at IRA Fertility Clinic, can help you achieve pregnancy through assisted reproductive technologies (ART).
Significant advancements have been made in ART procedures over the past two decades. Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) and In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) are standard infertility treatment procedures with a high probability of success. There are some misconceptions about IUI and IVF, but both are effective treatments for women who have difficulty conceiving naturally.
What Is Intrauterine insemination (IUI)?
IUI is a non-invasive treatment often called Artificial Insemination. In IUI, the sperm sample that has been washed and concentrated is injected directly into the women’s uterus with the help of a thin catheter. In most cases, IUI is conducted during ovulation or as part of a fertility treatment regimen. To increase the possibility of conception, sperm is injected multiple times.
Naturally, the conception process involves travelling the sperm all the way from the vagina to the fallopian tubes to meet the egg. Whereas in this IUI procedure, large volumes of sperm are directly placed closer to the egg in the fallopian tubes. Thus the chances of fertilization increased by twofold.
Before starting IUI treatment: Initially, a few medical tests are performed by our team for both partners. The tests related to male partners primarily focus on the analysis of semen. Whereas for women, the process involves analyzing hormone levels in order to gather details about the eggs and to know whether the ovary is functioning correctly or not. The tests also include evaluation of medical history, a body examination, and sometimes a vaginal ultrasound may also be done.
The IUI procedure: The IUI process involves a few steps. Here is the step by step explanation:
Stimulation of the Ovaries: To produce more eggs or have any other problems with egg production, medication is given to stimulate the ovaries for more eggs. Some women may even receive medicines to stimulate the growth and development of eggs.
Observation: An ultrasound examination is performed every two to three days during medication therapy to monitor ovarian function and egg production. The levels of hormones related to ovarian function and egg development may be measured by blood tests.
Induced Ovulation: Once the egg has been matured, the patient is given a “trigger shot” by a nurse, either at the clinic or at home, in order to induce ovulation.
Sperm Collection: Meanwhile, your male partner is asked to provide a semen sample. Frozen sperm can also be used in this IUI procedure. In this process, sperm samples are washed and processed in order to remove debris and immobile sperm.
Insemination Procedure: The procedure looks much like a regular pelvic exam. While lying on a table, you will be injected with a concentrated sperm sample directly into your uterus using a thin, flexible and long catheter. All of this takes place in a matter of minutes and is almost painless. In some cases, repeated inseminations may be required, but most of the time, a single well-timed insemination is all that is needed.
Pregnancy Test: After two weeks, to determine whether the IUI treatment has been successful, you have to take the pregnancy test. You may be advised to get the procedure performed again if you get a negative result.
Even after 2,3 IUI cycles, if you are unable to conceive, you may consider an IVF procedure.
Does IUI work for everyone?
If certain conditions are met, intrauterine insemination is an excellent option for many couples interested in undergoing infertility treatments. IUI can be a promising treatment option if:
- at least one fallopian tube should be unblocked in a woman
- a woman who can ovulate either naturally or with medication
- healthy ovarian resources are present in women
- a woman does not have any defects in her uterus
- Hostile cervical mucus
- couple with unexplained infertility
- couples experiencing mild male infertility
- couples having marital problems
- menstrual cycles with chronic anovulation
- mild and minimal endometriosis in couples
When one of these problems is present, IUI is a viable treatment option. However, be sure to discuss other options with your fertility specialist and know which would provide you with the best results. If you have questions or concerns about IUI, or would like to find more details about IUI, like how many IUI cycles are recommended, cost of each cycle etc., consult Dr. Mounika Reddy, Gynecologist and fertility specialist in Hyderabad. She says that approximately three IUI cycles are tried by most couples, while some even attempt six IUI cycles first and then switch to IVF.
