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Intrauterine Insemination (IUI)

Intrauterine Insemination (also known as artificial insemination) is the process of preparing and delivering sperm so that a highly concentrated amount of active motile sperm is placed directly through the cervix into the uterus.

IUI is often used as the first step in fertility treatment for couples with unexplained infertility, mild male factor infertility, and patients using donor sperm.

IUI is typically performed with fertility drugs for the female patient. Thus, for infertility patients, IUI is commonly performed as a low-tech, cost-effective approach to enhancing fertility in patients. Prior to initiating IUI treatment, women must have at least one documented open fallopian tube as demonstrated by a hysterosalpingogram (tubal dye study).

The goal of IUI is to get a high concentration of motile sperm as close to the opening of the fallopian tubes as possible, at approximately the same time as the egg is being released.

Intrauterine Insemination FAQs