GETPREGNANT with ...IUI/ICSI
Otherwise known as 'artificial insemination', involves inserting sperm into the uterus of the woman at the time of ovulation to meet the egg and fertilise. IUI tends to be a less invasive and less expensive option of assisted conception for many couples. If you've been trying to conceive for quite some time and are considering next steps, intrauterine insemination is one option you should be aware of.
Essentially it gives sperm a head start in trying to fertilize an egg by placing them directly into the uterus in large quantities. A normal ejaculate contains up to 300 million sperm, only one million reach the cervix, 200 reach the fallopian tube and one fertilizes an egg. IUI increases the number of sperm that reach the fallopian tube to maximize the chances of conception.
The evidence
Research has shown that the higher the sperm count the increased chance of successful pregnancy with IUI. Some research suggests that if the sperm count is low, IVF with ICSI would be a more successful treatment.
One study of 332 couples that underwent 1115 cycles of IUI resulted in an overall pregnancy rate of 18.7%. 16% of the pregnancies occurred in the first three treatment cycles and this increased to 26.9% by the sixth cycle. The research concluded that lower pregnancy rates with IUI were achieved if the woman was older than 39 or the total motile sperm count per insemination was less than 1 million.
Essentially it gives sperm a head start in trying to fertilize an egg by placing them directly into the uterus in large quantities. A normal ejaculate contains up to 300 million sperm, only one million reach the cervix, 200 reach the fallopian tube and one fertilizes an egg. IUI increases the number of sperm that reach the fallopian tube to maximize the chances of conception.
The evidence
Research has shown that the higher the sperm count the increased chance of successful pregnancy with IUI. Some research suggests that if the sperm count is low, IVF with ICSI would be a more successful treatment.
One study of 332 couples that underwent 1115 cycles of IUI resulted in an overall pregnancy rate of 18.7%. 16% of the pregnancies occurred in the first three treatment cycles and this increased to 26.9% by the sixth cycle. The research concluded that lower pregnancy rates with IUI were achieved if the woman was older than 39 or the total motile sperm count per insemination was less than 1 million.
