For women with antisperm antibodies in their cervical mucus or  "poor" mucus and for men with mild male factor infertility, intrauterine insemination (IUI) is a common first line fertility treatment where washed and concentrated sperm are placed directly into the uterus to maximize the chances of fertilization.

IUI is typically performed in women receiving ovarian stimulation with clomiphene citrate or follicle stimulating hormone (FSH). These treatments require close monitoring with ultrasound, estradiol levels, and physical examination to optimize the chances of pregnancy, and to avoid hyperstimulation and multiple pregnancy.

Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) FAQ

What is IUI’s success rate?

Studies have demonstrated that infertile couples treated with IUI will at least double their chances of conception when compared to timed intercourse or intracervical insemination.

Do I need to take medications with my IUI treatment?

Frequently, the IUI procedure is performed in combination with ovulation induction. This may be done using an oral medication called clomiphene citrate, or with daily injections of gonadotropins (follicle stimulating hormone [FSH]).

How does IUI increase my chance of pregnancy?

The IUI procedure works by concentrating the healthiest sperm in the ejaculate, and placing the "washed" sperm into the uterus adjacent to the fallopian tube. This bypasses any potential cervical factor problems, and removes the sperm that are less likely to fertilize the egg.