Who Can Use IUI Treatment?

IUI is usually suggested for those couples who have been trying to conceive for a year or more without success and have been found to have infertility issues. It is always recommended to perform a complete infertility examination before undergoing this process.

In general, artificial insemination is used when:

A woman’s cervical mucus is scant or hostile to sperm. Through IUI, sperm directly reaches the uterus, bypassing the cervix and the cervical mucus.
The man has a low sperm count, though the sperm should be healthy.
Male infertility due to antibodies to his own sperm. Sperm not damaged by the antibodies will be separated and used in the IUI process.
Ejaculation issues due to vaginal muscle contractions or psychological problems.
Retrograde ejaculation, a condition where the semen goes back into the bladder rather than being expelled from the body.
Couples who cannot naturally have intercourse due to disability, injury or premature ejaculation.
In the process of iui, the fertilisation of the egg and sperm occurs naturally, although the sperm is given a kind of “push” into the uterus. For this reason, both partners must meet certain criteria in order to have the best chances at success with IUI.

Male Partner Requirements

Tests down on sperm prior to IUI must reveal normal functioning in terms of:

• Sperm count
• Mobility (movement of sperm)
• Sperm morphology (shape of sperm)

If sperm are naturally not healthy or they are misshaped, even the use of artificial insemination cannot induce fertilisation. Under some circumstances, the treatment may also be done using donor sperms. This is called AID (Artificial Insemination by Donor) or TDI (Therapeutic Donor Insemination). If using donor sperm, make sure it is tested for mobility, shape as well as quarantined for 180 days before use. Tests for infectious diseases and disorders, including HIV, must be performed on the semen sample before it can be used.

Female Partner Requirements

Because fertilisation and conception are still expected to take place as normal, the female partner will be tested to ensure that she has:

• A normal ovulation cycle
• Open fallopian tubes
• A normal uterine cavity

Sometimes, woman with ovulatory disorders or those who ovulate irregularly can undergo IUI with the help of fertility drugs. These drugs stimulate the brain to produce hormones that in turn induce the ovary follicles to mature into eggs. Once the eggs mature, IUI can be used to introduce the sperm inside the uterus. The timing of this particular procedure is important, as it is only when the egg and sperm are both present that fertilisation will occur.

Woman suffering from endometriosis but who have a healthy pelvic structure may also benefit from IUI.

Unfortunately, those with damaged fallopian tubes, poor egg quality, are over the age of 40, or who are menopausal are not candidates for IUI, as the chances of conceiving are too low.