Intrauterine insemination (IUI) and in vitro fertilisation (IVF) are two different methods of assisted reproductive technology. IUI involves placing prepared sperm into the uterus around the time of ovulation. This procedure brings sperm closer to the fallopian tubes and the potential site of fertilisation. IUI is a relatively direct procedure and is used to treat women who have normal and healthy fallopian tubes but are having trouble conceiving naturally.
IUI is used to increase the number of sperm that reach the fallopian tubes and subsequently increase the chance of fertilisation. The procedure involves washing and concentrating sperm, which are then placed directly into the uterus. IUI can be performed during a natural menstrual cycle or in combination with ovulation induction for women with irregular menstrual cycles. Only doctors are allowed to perform IUI under the Assisted Reproductive Treatment Act.
IUI is recommended for women who are unable to have vaginal sex due to physical disability or psychosexual problems. It is also recommended for couples where one partner has a condition that requires specific help to conceive, such as HIV. For IUI to be successful, there should be at least five million motile sperm after washing. Samples with lower sperm counts have considerably reduced success rates.
The IUI procedure is minimally invasive and does not require pain medication or anesthesia. Patients may experience slight discomfort, similar to that experienced during a routine pap smear, and some cramping as the catheter is passed through the cervix. Once the sperm enters the reproductive system, it can take about 30 to 45 minutes to reach the egg.
To prepare for IUI, it is recommended that the male partner avoid ejaculation for at least three days prior to the procedure. This allows for healthier sperm to be available to meet the egg, increasing the chances of IUI success. IUI is a fertility treatment option that can be used alone or in combination with other treatments.
Dr. Taiwo Orebamjo, a Consultant Obstetrician and medical administration expert, explains that assisted conception is not a single treatment but a range of interventions. Each intervention involves different procedures, timelines, costs, and clinical considerations. Dr. Orebamjo is a post-graduate of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, London, and is also the Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist at Parklande Specialist Hospital and Lifeshore Fertility and IVF Clinic.
IVF, on the other hand, is a more complex, multi-stage process involving ovarian stimulation, egg retrieval, fertilisation in a laboratory, and subsequent transfer of an embryo into the uterus. IVF may be discussed if a pregnancy is not achieved after a few IUI attempts. The choice of treatment depends on individual circumstances and medical considerations.
Key points
- IUI involves placing prepared sperm into the uterus around the time of ovulation to increase the chance of fertilisation.
- IUI is recommended for women who are unable to have vaginal sex or have conditions that require specific help to conceive.
- IVF is a more complex, multi-stage process involving ovarian stimulation, egg retrieval, and embryo transfer.
