Treatment Series: Intrauterine Insemination

When you suffer from infertility and seek out treatment, you’ll notice that your doctor may use terminology you’re unfamiliar with or that’s similar to other terms. For instance, you may hear the terms “in vitro fertilization” and “intrauterine insemination” when you visit our fertility clinic in Melbourne. Here, we can help you better understand what intrauterine insemination is.

General Information

During intrauterine insemination, your practitioner will take sperm, either from a donor or your significant other. The specialist will cleanse and concentrate the sperm sample. Then, your practitioner will place it into the woman’s uterus when she’s ovulating, which is when she releases an egg once a month. If the woman has issues with ovulation, a doctor may prescribe fertility medications to ensure the woman ovulates. Without ovulation, this procedure will not be successful.

After placing the sperm, one may fertilize the egg and generate a pregnancy. Testing is done at a later time to determine if fertilization occurred.

When Intrauterine Insemination Is Recommended

If a woman opts for artificial insemination, this is the procedure the physician performs. Fertility clinics in Melbourne use it to help couples who struggle with infertility. However, whether or not its effectiveness depends on the cause of infertility.

Some reasons why a physician would recommend this treatment approach include the following:

Ovulatory Issues

Fertility clinics in Melbourne may recommend intrauterine insemination if the woman isn’t ovulating, isn’t ovulating regularly, or has a reduced number of eggs. In the case of a reduced number of eggs, time is limited for the female. This procedure heightens the woman’s chances since she has a limited opportunity.

Unexplained Infertility

Specialists at IVF clinics in Melbourne begin the infertility treatment process by conducting testing on both partners to determine the cause of infertility. Sometimes, during the testing, the physician can’t explain why fertilization hasn’t occurred. When this happens, the practitioner will recommend intrauterine insemination as a first-line treatment.

Endometriosis-Related Problems

Endometriosis affects the endometrium, which is the lining of a woman’s uterus. It causes issues with fertility since it can impair implantation, among other issues. With intrauterine insemination, the sperm is placed in close proximity to the egg, which could bypass certain issues.

Male Factor Infertility

A physician at Viera fertility clinic may recommend this procedure after a semen analysis determines the male has mild infertility. For instance, if the male has a lower-than-average sperm count, sperm with limited motility, or unusually sized or shaped sperm, this infertility treatment may help to overcome these issues since the specialist will place the sperm closer to the egg and can choose the highest quality of sperm.

Semen Allergy

A semen allergy is an uncommon occurrence, but it’s still possible. A physician may discover this is the cause during a fertility test, such as a skin prick test. A physician may also determine this is the cause if the woman experiences swelling, burning, or redness in the vagina after coming in contact with sperm. If this is the case, a physician may recommend intrauterine insemination because the sperm bypasses the vagina to avoid the sensitivity.

Cervical Factor Infertility

The cervix is located at the bottom of the woman’s uterus. It produces mucus that aids in conception. Sometimes, though, the mucus may be too thick. Sometimes, issues with the cervix in general can interfere with conception. During intrauterine insemination, the physician bypasses the cervix. The sperm then bypasses the cause of infertility and can more easily meet with the egg.

What You Should Know

Before you receive this fertility treatment, you should know that you may need to have multiple intrauterine inseminations for the procedure to work. Each time you undergo the procedure, you have a 10 to 20-percent chance of it resulting in a fertilized egg. Your chances are affected by your age and the cause of your infertility, among other issues.

While this treatment is less expensive than IVF, it’s not as successful. Therefore, you should keep that in mind when making a decision if it’s right for you.

Contact Viera Fertility

For someone with infertility issues, intrauterine insemination from Viera Fertility could be the solution. Learn more or schedule your first visit by calling us at 321-751-4673 or using our online contact form.