Intrauterine Insemination for Male Infertility
Written by Ben Bunting: BA(Hons), PGCert.
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Intrauterine insemination, or IUI, is one fertility treatment that can help couples with unexplained infertility get pregnant.
This treatment uses donor sperm to fertilize a woman's uterus and prevents coitus.
There are some important aspects to consider before undergoing this procedure. In this article, you'll learn about what to expect during this procedure and how it works.
This article covers the following points:
- IUI is a fertility treatment
- It helps with sexual dysfunction
- It helps overcome unexplained infertility
- It helps avoid retrograde ejaculation
- Sperm is used from your partner
- Summary
IUI is a fertility treatment
IUI is one of the most common methods of in vitro fertilization. This procedure combines sperm with an egg, which is then transferred into a woman's uterus.
The success rate of IUI is higher for women under 35 than for women over 35. Women over the age of 40 have the lowest success rate with IUI, with a five percent chance of pregnancy.
Some insurance plans will pay for two to three rounds of IUI before they will cover IVF or another type of infertility treatment.
The procedure is performed when a woman is ovulating. It can also be used in cases where the male partner does not have enough sperm to produce a viable child.
Some reasons for this may include low sperm count, genetic diseases, or the inability of a woman to conceive on her own. In addition, some women may opt for donor insemination if they are single.
It assists sexual dysfunction
Known as IUI, intrauterine insemination (IUI) is a fertility treatment in which concentrated and motile sperm are injected into a woman's uterus.
The technique increases the chances of conception and is suitable for same-sex couples who have sexual dysfunction.
But the procedure does carry risks. Read on to learn more about this fertility treatment.
It helps couples with unexplained infertility
When conventional treatments fail to bring about a pregnancy, a woman over the age of 38 may undergo intrauterine insemination.
This treatment uses sperm from a sample of the woman's semen into the uterus. The catheter increases the number of sperm cells in the uterus, increasing the chance of successful conception.
The procedure is not suitable for women who have given birth recently. It is not advised to wait for too long after giving birth because the odds of a second pregnancy are lower.
The success rate of IUI varies from couple to couple. Most couples who have undergone IUI achieve a 50% pregnancy rate after just one cycle.
The success rate of IVF, however, remains much lower than that of expectant management. Moreover, couples with unexplained infertility may experience low ovulation rates. Ovulation induction, is a method to increase these rates.
➡️READ: Natural treatments for male infertility
It helps avoid retrograde ejaculation
For men, an IUI can help prevent retrograde ejaculation by rerouting the sperm back into the vas deferens. T
his muscle then transports sperm to the prostate and mixes them with fluids to produce liquid semen.
In addition, IUI helps men who have problems with their vas deferens and abnormal urethral opening.
Many men who experience retrograde ejaculation ejaculate very little or no semen.
Normally, men ejaculate between a quarter and a half teaspoon of semen during an orgasm. If the sperms are not sufficiently motile, they are unable to develop an erection.
A man who suffers from retrograde ejaculation may experience a change in his orgasm as well as a lower level of sperm.
It can be done with sperm from your partner
Intrauterine insemination (IUI) involves implanting sperm directly into the woman's womb during ovulation.
Women who are experiencing infertility due to the male having a low sperm count or a medical condition can undergo IUI to increase the number of sperm in their fallopian tubes.
In some cases, a woman may need donor sperm if her husband is infertile and has zero sperm count for this procedure. Intrauterine insemination is often performed in a clinic and is a lower-cost alternative to in vitro fertilization (IVF).
The sperm used in IUI are "washed," which allows them to travel closer to the egg. This method improves sperm count by bypassing hostile cervical mucus, which limits the sperm's mobility.
Some couples use IUI in conjunction with other fertility treatments, such as ovulation induction therapy, in order to improve their chances of conceiving.
Summary
IUI is an invasive procedure that can use a healthy sperm to be planted directly in to the womb and bypassing any cervical mucus.
Furthermore, for those suffering with issues such as erectile dysfunction or other sexual issues whereby the male cannot either have intercourse or ejaculate this provides a solution.
However, if the issue is a result of poor semen and sperm health which may be affected as a result of lifestyle choices such as low actiity levels, poor diet and use of alcohol, drugs or tobacco, then these should be addressed first.