If the pregnancy is not happening even after more than one year of trying, one should talk with a gynecologist and get an infertility check-up.  Infertility treatment could improve your chances of getting pregnant. There are many methods of infertility treatment like IUI, IVF, some surgical procedures. Let’s discuss in detail about IUI procedure.

IUI is one of the lesser complicated procedures to treat infertility. In IUI, sperms after washing and fortified, are placed in the uterus with a thin, flexible catheter. This procedure is done near the time of ovulation. Placing sperm directly in the uterus increases the chances of fertilization. IUI is often done in many cycles until fertilization is confirmed. IUI can be done with or without using fertility drugs.

Indication

IUI is the first procedure tried in infertility treatment before resorting to any other invasive procedures like IVF (in-vitro fertilization). IUI commonly recommended in the following conditions-

• Unexplained infertility not responding to any medicines
• Mild male infertility due to poor sperm motility, low sperm count, abnormal morphology of sperms
• Thick cervical mucous
• Ovulation problems like no eggs or reduced number of eggs
• Cervical scar tissue as a result of a procedure
• Ejaculation dysfunction
• Male infertility
• Mild endometriosis
• A couple suffering from any medical conditions like HIV
• Couples who are not able to have sex because of some physical disability

Contraindications

IUI is not a procedure of choice in-

• Fallopian tube obstruction or any other tube pathology
• Pelvic pathology
• Moderate to severe endometriosis
• Cervical atresia
• Severe endometriosis
• Low sperm motility
• Low sperm count
• Amenorrhea

Precautions before IUI procedure

• Avoid heavy exercise because it can cause uterine contraction and may interfere with the implantation of fertilized ova.
• Strict adherence to the timing of intake of fertility drugs
• Limit caffeine intake
• Maintain healthy eating habits
• Quit smoking if you are planning for a baby
• Limit alcohol consumption
• Plenty of water intake

Care after IUI procedure

• Light exercise like slow walking and yoga is good for health.
• No need for bed rest
• Avoid strenuous exercise
• Take a daily dose of multivitamins and folic acid
• Healthy diet
• Avoid stress
• Take any medicine only after consultation with your gynecologist.
• Avoid smoking and drinking.
• Avoid any sexual intercourse for at least 48 hours because it can lead to uterine contraction.

Factors determining the success of IUI

The success of IUI treatment depends on many factors like-

• Female age- success rate decreases after the age of 35
• Proper
• monitoring of menstruation cycle and ovulation
• Proper monitoring
• of hormone level.
• Regular monitoring
• of semen parameters.
• Semen collection and preparation.
• Timing of insemination
• Additional fertility drug choices