IUI, also known as artificial insemination, is a relatively simple, non-surgical procedure, and only takes a few minutes to perform.
Intrauterine Insemination, also referred to as IUI or artificial insemination, is considered a primary approach a fertility specialist will use when a couple is experiencing difficulty conceiving. The procedure is straightforward – a trained fertility specialist places sperm directly into a women’s uterus while she is ovulating. IUI may be an excellent first step for achieving a pregnancy with the help of your team.
What is Intrauterine Insemination (IUI)?
Intrauterine insemination (IUI) is a procedure that bypasses the cervix and places specially prepared sperm into a woman’s uterus around the time of ovulation. Placing the sperm directly into the uterus shortens the path that sperm would normally take to a woman’s fallopian tubes. This provides a better chance that more sperm will make their way to the egg and a pregnancy will occur.
During an artificial insemination procedure a woman will lie comfortably on an exam table and the clinician will insert a speculum into her vagina to view her cervix. Then, a catheter (narrow tube) is inserted through the cervix into the uterus, and the washed semen sample is slowly injected. Overall the process is quite painless, some women have experienced mild cramping, but this is rare.