Intrauterine
insemination (IUI) is a procedure to maximize the number of sperm
that are available to the female egg. The sperm sample is collected
and concentrated in our certified laboratory by the lab technologist.
A small amount of fluid, approximately .5 cc, containing millions
of sperm is placed into the uterine cavity using a very small
catheter. The procedure is virtually painless in most cases but
occasionally does cause cramping.
This procedure
is useful in cases of moderately low sperm counts, low motility,
and cases of unexplained infertility. It is also used in cases
of poor postcoital tests and poor cervical mucous production.
Success rates will vary between twenty and thirty percent but
can be expected to be higher in some patients. IUI's are often
done in conjunction with fertility drugs as clomiphene and gonadotrophins.
