Intrauterine Insemination (IUI)

This in-office procedure, also known as "artificial insemination" involves placing "washed" sperm into the uterus, with a small catheter through the cervix. Sperm can be from the husband, or from frozen donor sperm, depending upon your situation and needs. The sperm is washed several times to remove substances that can cause cramping or shock. Once the sperm is washed, it can remain viable for 48 to 72 hours.

IUI is often performed if you have failed attempts at timed intercourse, or if there is a determination of abnormal cervical mucous/sperm interaction, slightly abnormal semen analysis, or hostile mucous, which renders the sperm unviable.

In the later case, the sperm is injected past the cervical barrier, to enable them to then move into the fallopian tube, and reach the egg. Variations in the procedure include taking medications to produce multiple follicles, and the release of more than one egg (superovulation or ovulation induction) in order to achieve fertilization' and administration of hCG to time ovulation.

Insemination may bring your potential to a 15% to 20% pregnancy rate/cycle. Usually a patient will undergo from three to six IUI cycles, before moving to a more aggressive procedure.

The cost of intrauterine inseminations varies depending on the type of ovarian stimulation protocol, how much your insurance covers, and the number of cycles a patient goes through.