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Fertility services

Intrauterine insemination (IUI) Clinic in Durham, Ontario

Intrauterine Insemination, or IUI, is recommended for assisted reproduction when a couple cannot conceive through natural fertility treatment or timed intercourse. It is the first line of treatment for assisted reproduction. Your fertility specialist may also recommend IUI in unexplained infertility, non-tubal infertility, or mild male factor subfertility cases.

Intrauterine Insemination, or IUI procedure, involves the insertion of a processed semen sample (washed and prepared in the laboratory) containing motile sperm into the uterine cavity of a female intending to conceive through the cervical canal. This process needs to be carried out around the time of ovulation. Hence, to support this procedure, your fertility specialist may prescribe some medication to induce ovulation (stimulate your ovaries to produce eggs). If you ovulate frequently, you may not need prescription.

When is Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) advised?

If you have decided to use your partner’s, your own, or donor’s sperm for pregnancy, intrauterine insemination (IUI) may be recommended to you. IUI may also be advised for unexplained infertility, minor endometriosis, cervical factor infertility, ovulatory factor infertility, poor sperm count or motility, or concerns with ejaculation or erection.

It is also the initial or the first line of assisted reproduction treatment for the following people who want to conceive:

  • same-sex couples or
  • a single woman or
  • a heterosexual couple opting for a donor sperm

What are the advantages of intrauterine insemination (IUI)?

  • It is less invasive than other forms of reproductive treatment, such as IVF.
  • It costs less than other forms of assisted reproduction.
  • The risks and complications associated with the procedure are minor.

CReATe Durham Fertility’s Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) Program

Supported by more than two decades of medical experience and backed by an evidence-based approach, CReATe Durham Fertility has a well-recognized and renowned IUI treatment program. The fertility specialists and support staff provide IUI and cycle monitoring at the clinic. Patients in the region of Durham – Oshawa, Ajax, and Pickering, to list a few, can hugely benefit from the high success rate program. All patients have access to a comprehensive IUI program with CReATe Durham Fertility with clinical, research, and advanced laboratory support from CReATe Fertility Toronto. This clinical collaboration also provides direct access to CReATe Fertility Toronto’s world-renowned IVF program.

What can I expect during an Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) procedure?

Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) is a painless and non-invasive procedure. This treatment may or may not include medication prescription to stimulate egg production or ovulation. As a result, the sperm sample can be implanted during a woman’s natural cycle (without medication), or ovaries can be stimulated with drugs for egg development and release. In IUI, ovulation with more than one egg typically increases the probability of pregnancy.

What should you expect before the Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) procedure?

  • Based on your blood tests, ultrasound, hormonal analysis, and medical history, your fertility specialist may recommend Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) as the first line of treatment for assisted reproduction.
  • You may be prescribed medication(s) to stimulate egg production or ovulation. You and your partner may be requested to schedule an IUI procedure appointment, usually between 10 and 16 days after taking the drugs. Additional diagnostic tests may also be recommended to support the IUI procedure.
  • Your male partner may provide a sperm sample on the day of the procedure, or a donated sperm sample may be thawed and used accordingly. It is recommended that fresh sperm samples be donated before the procedure. In such cases, the sperm sample is immediately cleansed, concentrated in the lab,, and prepared for the IUI treatment.
  • Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) is a simple, safe, and painless procedure usually performed in the clinic without administering any anesthetic.

What should you expect during the Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) procedure?

  • To perform the procedure, your fertility specialist will request you lie on an examination table. A speculum will then gently open your vagina to provide visibility to the cervix. The laboratory-processed, cleaned, and concentrated sperm (partner’s or donor) is then delivered through the cervix and into the uterus via a long, thin tube.
  • You will be asked to remain at the examination table for 10-30 minutes.
  • Most women suffer little discomfort, although a minority may endure cramps or vaginal bleeding.
  • On the second day, a second IUI procedure may be suggested. You may also be administered medications to maintain hormone levels to facilitate pregnancy or conception.
  • You will also be advised to take the pregnancy test after two weeks of the IUI procedure. This test will assist in confirming the success of the IUI procedure.

What are the risks and complications associated with Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) procedure

Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) is a painless, safe, and non-invasive procedure with few associated risks and complications. It would be best if you discussed these factors and their impact on you with your fertility specialist. Some of the risks and complications associated with the Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) procedure are:

  • Infections due to unsterilized instruments – rare.
  • Multiple pregnancies (twins, triplets, etc.)
  • A rare case of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, in which an enlarged ovary, fluid accumulation in the abdomen, and cramps occur due to a reactive reaction to fertility medicine.
  • Dizziness, nausea, or shortness of breath
  • Swelling, bloating, and discomfort in the abdomen
  • Dizziness, nausea, or shortness of breath

What is the success rate of Intrauterine Insemination (IUI)?

It is also important to know that numerous factors impact the success of an Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) procedure. Every individual or couple’s medical history and cause(s) of fertility are unique. Hence the results of an Intrauterine Insemination procedure also vary. However, IUI is a well-established, recognized procedure for assisted reproduction with high success rates.

  • Age
  • Medical history, injuries, or comorbidities contributing to infertility.
  • Fertility medication use

Women over the age of 40 and women who have not become pregnant after three rounds of IUI may have lower success rates. It would help if you talked to your fertility specialist about your expected success rate to understand whether Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) is a good choice.

Based on IUI case results, we can estimate that around 80% of pregnancies occur within three IUI cycles. Additionally, based on how you respond to medication and your medical history, your fertility specialist may prescribe several IUI cycles, generally no more than 4-6 until conception. If you cannot conceive, more assisted reproduction techniques may be considered.