Intrauterine insemination is a simple assisted reproductive treatment. It involves placing a sperm sample from the partner or the donor inside a woman’s uterus.
The procedure increases the chances of getting pregnant with regards to intercourse because the sperm sample is prepared in the laboratory in advance as well as the ovary being stimulated in order to control the growth and the maturation of the eggs. Depositing the prepared sample in the woman´s uterus reduces the distance the sperm cells must travel to the egg and scheduling insemination maximises the chances of fertilisation and pregnancy.
Intrauterine insemination can be performed with a sperm sample from a donor or the partner. This treatment is recommended for:
Intrauterine insemination is a simple treatment offering better pregnancy success rates of that with intercourse however there are other assisted reproductive treatments with superior success rates to that of IUI.
Our pregnancy rates are audited by an accredited body (SGS) and updated every year, here. However, the probability of pregnancy depends, in every case, on many factors: age, ovarian reserve, medical and reproductive history, etc. One thing is for sure at IVI – our fertility specialists will prescribe the most adequate and personalised treatment to achieve our objective: your pregnancy.
90% of patients who undergo an assisted reproduction treatment at IVI become pregnant.
97% of our patients recommend IVI.
IVI provides personalised care and support during all stages of treatment.
IVI is a pioneer in the latest assisted reproduction technology in order to present the best results.
We are not the most expensive choice. We offer the most treatment options in order to achieve the best results.
During your first visit at an IVI clinic, our fertility specialists will provide you with a personalised diagnosis in order to choose the best treatment. This appointment includes a complete gynaecological examination, as well as a sperm analysis in the case of heterosexual couples.
Ovarian stimulation begins when the treatment, marked by the menstrual cycle of a woman, commences and it lasts for about 10-12 days. This stimulation increases the chances of success, as the woman produces only one egg in each natural menstrual cycle, this way ensures the development of one or two.
This treatment phase can be carried out where you live and your gynaecologist, will be monitoring the stimulation closely by means of ultrasound scans (3 or 4) and blood tests. Once the follicles have reached the right number and size, a dose of the hCG hormone is administered to induce ovulation and 36 hours later, an intrauterine insemination is scheduled at your IVI clinic.
On the insemination day, a sperm sample is processed in the Andrology laboratory of your IVI clinic, to optimise its quality and therefore, increase the probability of fertilisation. If you are using your partner´s sperm, he must deliver the sample to the laboratory about 2 hours prior to the treatment. The preparation allows for our andrologists to select and concentrate the sperm cells with the best motility and to discard the dead, immobile or slow ones.
Intrauterine insemination is performed at the doctor´s office and neither anaesthesia nor an operating theatre are required. Having inserted a speculum, the sperm sample is introduced to the uterus via a catheter.
Having finished the procedure and rested for a couple of minutes, our specialists will tell you the optimum date to take a blood pregnancy test once back at home, which is normally 14-15 days after the insemination. IVI specialists recommend that you resume normal activities as you wait, avoiding only the high-intensity ones. If the result is positive, 20 days later a control ultrasound scan is performed, during which the presence of the gestational sac is confirmed. IVI specialists will then discharge you and you may then go on to monitor the pregnancy with your gynaecologist or midwife.