Intrauterine insemination, or IUI treatment, is a procedure that helps couples with infertility issues conceive and deliver a baby. In this fertility treatment procedure, the semen is transferred directly into the uterus of the female to promote fertilization. Before this actual insemination procedure, the doctor will prescribe medicines for the female to stimulate ovulation. They will also carefully monitor the ovulation cycles and learn when the eggs are mature. They will perform intrauterine insemination around the time of ovulation.
How does IUI work, and what are its benefits?
The doctors will collect the semen sample from the male partner and get it concentrated and washed in the lab to separate the sperm from the fluid. They will monitor the phases of ovulation in the female, and when the eggs are mature, they will transfer the sperm into the uterus directly with the help of a catheter. This is usually an outpatient procedure, and it takes only a few minutes to perform with minimal discomfort.
As infertility is becoming a common concern in modern times, IUI treatment is known to offer promising solutions to treat infertility issues. Doctors allow the sperm to fertilize the egg on its own, and the IUI treatment only gives it a headstart. It also increases the number of sperm that meet the egg for fertilization to improve the chances of conception.
Reasons for performing the IUI procedure:
IUI treatment is generally prescribed for those who find it difficult to conceive in natural ways. Women undergo IUI for the following reasons.
- The woman is trying to conceive with donor sperm if the mother is single or the partner doesn’t have enough sperm count and quality to conceive with.
- For couples with unexplained infertility issues, IUI is the first line of treatment.
- For women who suffer infertility relevant to endometriosis, IUI is the first treatment approach to get a good quality egg while doing the procedure.
- Couples who have issues with sperm count, sperm size, sperm shape, or sperm movement benefit from IUI treatment.
- Women with issues with the cervix and the cervical mucus can undergo IUI.
What to expect during the IUI procedure?
IUI is a painless and non-invasive procedure where the doctors place the sperm in the uterus when the woman is ovulating. Sometimes, doctors will combine IUI with ovarian stimulation drugs to help release eggs from the ovary. Doctors will work on ultrasounds, bloodwork, and medications before the procedure. IUI is quick, is generally painless, and does not require anesthesia.
The doctor will ask the woman patient to lie on her back on the examination table and use a speculum to visualize the cervix clearly. With the help of a catheter, the expert will transfer the sperm into the uterus. The woman should stay on the table for about 30 minutes following the insemination process. Some doctors might prescribe progesterone tablets following the procedure. There might be slight abdominal discomfort and mild bleeding following the procedure. Doctors will take a pregnancy test fifteen days after the procedure.
FAQ:
What is the success rate of IUI treatment?
It is hard to predict the success rate of the procedure as it depends on a number of factors, such as the age of the woman, fertility drugs used, infertility diagnosis, and other fertility concerns. The success rate of IUI is low in women who are over 40 years of age.
What to eat after IUI treatment?
The procedure by itself does not put any dietary restriction on the woman. They are free to go home on the day of the procedure, and generally, there are no diet restrictions to follow. However, certain foods help improve the success of implantation after IUI. For all women who ask what to eat after IUI, here is a comprehensive list of superfoods that could help with conception.
- Green leafy vegetables, rich in folic acid and vitamin C
- Sunflower seeds that are rich in vitamin E
- Citrus fruits and cheese
- Full-fat dairy products
- Tomatoes, lentils and beans
- Asparagus
- Walnuts
- Egg whites
- Cinnamon
Now that you know what to eat after IUI, there are also some foods that should not be eaten after IUI. These are red and processed meats, baked food items, processed carbohydrate food items, and beverages that are sweetened with sugar.
Bottom Line:
The success of fertility treatment depends on the health status of the women, the quality of the sperm, uterine health, the foods that one consumes, and the lifestyle they follow. Foods that help implantation play a major role in the success of the IUI treatment. You can get a personalized diet plan before fertility treatment from experts to enhance the chances of conception at the earliest.