Intrauterine insemination (IUI) or artificial insemination refers to the process of inserting a dense sample of high-quality, fast-moving sperm directly into the uterus at the height of ovulation.
IUI is a simple office procedure that is done quickly and without the need for sedation. It essentially works by facilitating sperm in reaching the reproductive tract at the time of ovulation. The sperm used in insemination has to be prepared or “washed” through a procedure that extracts the sperm from the seminal fluid or semen.
The likelihood of success with IUI is dependent on the quality of the sperm used for insemination, with better results achieved in men with better sperm quality. Success with IUI is also affected by other coexisting female infertility factors such as the age of the female partner and the condition of the partner’s reproductive tract, and whether or not fertility medications are used in the female partner.