What Is Intrauterine Insemination?

Intrauterine insemination is a form of fertility treatment that is normally performed in a doctor's office or clinic. This procedure involves the use of a small catheter to place washed sperm directly into the uterus after a woman has ovulated in an attempt to increase the chances of pregnancy. Some of the possible reasons for intrauterine insemination include blocked fallopian tubes, low sperm counts, or the use of donor sperm. Blood tests are often performed a couple of weeks following the procedure to find out if pregnancy has occurred. Specific questions or concerns about intrauterine insemination should be discussed with a doctor or other medical professional.

Also referred to as artificial insemination, intrauterine insemination is not guaranteed to result in pregnancy. Instead, sperm is introduced into the uterus in the hopes that an egg will become fertilized and pregnancy will develop. If the woman's menstrual cycles are regular, this procedure may be scheduled to correspond with ovulation. In other situations, fertility drugs may be prescribed before the intrauterine insemination appointment to increase the odds of pregnancy.

There are several reasons that intrauterine insemination may be chosen as the most appropriate infertility treatment method for an individual situation. Women who have fertility issues such as blocked fallopian tubes, increased cervical mucus, or semen allergies may be good candidates for this procedure. If the male partner suffers from a low sperm count or other types of sexual dysfunction, artificial insemination may be a good choice. A series of diagnostic tests may be performed on one or both partners to make sure this is the best treatment method for a specific situation.

Before the intrauterine insemination procedure is performed, the sperm that is being used is washed and concentrated prior to being stored in a vial for use during the appointment. The entire procedure typically takes less than 30 minutes to complete and is often performed in the doctor's office. The vial of sperm is attached to a small flexible catheter and is inserted through the cervix and directly into the uterus.

Following intrauterine insemination, the patient is usually encouraged to continue with normal daily activities. A small amount of bleeding or spotting is to be expected, but heavy bleeding should be reported to a doctor for further evaluation. Infections are rare, although some women may experience pelvic infections as a result of this procedure. Multiple pregnancies are possible when using artificial insemination, and the use of fertility drugs increases this chance.