Intrauterine insemination (IUI) is a technique used in order to introduce prepared sperm into a woman's uterus, thereby enhancing fertilization. IUI is often performed in conjunction with ovulation induction medications.
Couples who can benefit from intrauterine insemination consist of patients
with ovulation disturbances, a history of poor cervical mucus,
male factor and unexplained infertility. Prior to intrauterine
insemination, couples need to be appropriately evaluated, such
as ensuring the fallopian tubes are open and the uterine cavity
is normal. In addition, prior to an intrauterine insemination
it is important to evaluate sperm parameters to ensure that sperm
quality will be adequate for inseminations.
Intrauterine insemination may be performed using sperm from the male partner or from a donor. Generally ovulation induction medications are given prior to intrauterine inseminations. Recent studies have shown that pregnancy rates are doubled when combining intrauterine insemination with ovulation induction medications. Ovulation induction monitoring may be performed via transvaginal ultrasounds and also occasionally through evaluation of hormones. At the appropriate time medication is given in order to release an egg(s). Insemination is performed at a specific time after release of the egg(s). A pregnancy test is then performed approximately two weeks after the insemination.
Ovulation Induction/IUI Success Rates
"Success" can have various meanings in the world of medicine. Accordingly,
when evaluating pregnancy rates it is important to understand the rates being
quoted. It is clear that the best measure of success for any infertility treatment
is the "take home baby" or "live birth" rate per cycle
of infertility treatment. Given the time period being quoted the "live
birth" rate
may not be available and in that situation the best measure of success is the
clinical pregnancy rate defined as the percent of IVF cycles resulting in a
pregnancy with fetal cardiac activity within the uterus at
7 weeks of pregnancy.
2007 Pregnancy Rates Per Cycle
The clinical pregnancy rates per cycle for the year 2007 from 510 consecutive
ovulation induction and intrauterine insemination cycles broken down by patient
age are displayed below. Please note that the number of patients in the 40
years of age and older group is small and therefore the pregnancy rate may
not be accurate for a larger group of patients.
* Clinical pregnancy is defined as a pregnancy with fetal cardiac
activity within the uterus at 7 weeks of pregnancy (5 weeks after egg retrieval).
** A comparison of clinic success rates may not be meaningful because patient
medical characteristics and treatment approaches may vary from clinic to clinic.
| 
