Various patients utilize intrauterine insemination to improve the conception likelihood. As a medical professional or doctor, if you are interested in pursuing your career in the field of intrauterine insemination, we have explained everything you need to know about this treatment. In this article, we have also discussed how an IUI course can improve your career graph.
Understanding Intrauterine Insemination
Let’s start by understanding what is intrauterine insemination:
IUI can be used as a fertility treatment in combination with or without other fertility treatments such as drugs. In this simple treatment, the semen is washed and transferred to the female’s uterus with the help of a catheter. However, this treatment takes place around the ovulation phase of the female along with some fertility drugs, together which increase conception likelihood.
When is IUI used?
The intrauterine insemination treatment can treat various types of infertility. The treatment is often offered in multiple cycles until the female conceives. Being a non-invasive method of treatment, this is the first choice for many women.
Suppose intrauterine insemination doesn’t lead to pregnancy. In that case, other invasive and rigorous therapies and treatments are utilized—for instance, in-vitro fertilization.
The intrauterine insemination treatment can be offered in the following infertility problems:
- Sperm donor pregnancy
- Hostile mucus of the cervical
- Impossible intercourse due to sexual pain
- Fertility drugs are not able to help
- Infertility of the male
- Unknown cause of infertility
How Successful is Intrauterine Insemination?
You may be wondering what intrauterine insemination success rate is:
The intrauterine insemination success rate depends on many factors, such as age, the reason for infertility, etc. Depending on these factors, the success rate is around 10-20% for women who receive intrauterine insemination. However, this widely varies across age groups. A female of 20-30 years has a 17% chance of getting pregnant, but a female over 40 has only a 5% chance of getting pregnant.
What is the Cost of Intrauterine Insemination?
Intrauterine insemination is popular fertility or reproductive therapy as it can treat many infertility conditions. IUI is one of the first considered treatments, as the entire procedure is more effortless when compared to in-vitro fertilization or other methods. It is even cost-effective in comparison to other reproductive treatment plans.
To claim insurance for such treatments, patients need to find out if the insurance covers IUI or IVF treatments in the plan; many insurance providers don’t consider IUI treatment in the insurance. Hence, they may need to pay the entire amount, which is why it is best to gain every detail of the cost to help your patients make a financially sound decision.
Generally, the IUI treatment can cost between USD 300-1000, depending on the clinic, your infertility situation, or age. While that is the price of the intrauterine insemination treatment, there are additional costs for blood work, fertility drugs, ultrasound monitoring, and other charges. Adding all these expenses can lead to a cost of around USD 3,000 for one cycle of IUI.
However, this is much cost-effective than IVF, which might cost up to USD 20,000 for one cycle.
Procedure of Treatment
The number of IUI cycles that the patient will go through will depend on why the doctor has suggested IUI in the first place. Here are two possible treatment cycles with fertility drugs:
Clomid
Clomid is a drug offered during the ovulation system. During this cycle, when the next period of the patient starts, they need to go through a blood test and ultrasound to understand the patient’s pregnancy status. The test also reveals if there is a presence of ovarian cysts in the patient.
If everything seems normal, doctors provide oral fertility drugs according to the patient’s condition. After this treatment, the patient may or may not need more blood tests and ultrasound. The doctor may only ask to monitor the ovulation cycle or take a home test for ovulation prediction. With the help of this test, the patient can know when the ovulation is due, according to which blood work and ultrasound can be ordered.
Gonadotropins
Gonadotropins are another type of injectable fertility drug. The procedure here is somewhat similar too. During periods, the patient needs to visit the doctor and get blood work and ultrasound done. These tests can confirm if the patient does or doesn’t have ovarian cysts or are not pregnant.
As per the instructions by the doctor, the patient may receive fertility injections, paired with timely blood work and ultrasounds. The transvaginal ultrasound during the procedure helps in understanding follicle formation.
Depending on the hormone levels and follicle size and growth, medications are adjusted. Once the follicles reach the level of maturity, a shot is offered for egg release, after which the doctor schedules an IUI procedure.
Intrauterine Insemination Process
The intrauterine insemination procedure is a painless and easy process. While the patient may be nervous about the treatment for obvious reasons, it is not uncomfortable or aching or requires painkillers or additional medication. The patient doesn’t have to visit the hospital, as only a fertility clinic can carry out this treatment.
Check the process of intrauterine insemination:
Collection of Semen
The sperm donor or the partner of the female will have to prepare a semen sample in the clinic or at home in the collection kit. But, the semen sample will have to be present at the IUI clinic within a few hours after collection.
This sample can be collected few days before the IUI, frozen, and then thawed later.
Washing of Semen
The male seminal fluid has many elements other than sperms. Hence, the doctor needs to clean the semen by using a washing dish to eliminate impurities, leaving behind essential contents for insemination.
IUI
For the intrauterine insemination procedure, the patient lays on the table of the gynecologist. Placing the semen sample in the cervix utilizes a small tube or catheter. After the insemination, the patient may experience some cramping, similar to that of a Pap test. The moment the semen reaches the uterus, the catheter is removed.
For a short duration, the patient needs to lie on the doctor’s table, as she may not have the strength to stand right away. However, this is not related to the efficacy of the semen. Even if the patient stands up or sits right after the insemination, it doesn’t impact the IUI procedure or sperm insemination.
After-Procedure
The patient may require progesterone drugs or vaginal suppository intake on completion of the IUI procedure. After a few weeks, the doctor may again order ultrasound and blood work to understand the estrogen, progesterone, and hCG levels in the patient’s body.
Between 10-14 days of the procedure, the doctor may also suggest a home pregnancy test or blood test of the pregnancy.
Patients will have to take care of their health after the insemination procedure.
Risks of Intrauterine Insemination
Significantly few risks are involved in the intrauterine insemination procedure. It may have the slightest chance of infection. However, some risk is involved in consuming fertility drugs.
- With drugs like gonadotropins, there can be multiple pregnancies.
- The patient can conceive multiples, such as triplets or twins.
- Due to many follicles, the treatment may get canceled, and the patient may be at risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome. If there’s a high risk of OHSS, then the doctor may ask the patient to refrain from sexual intercourse.
Completing an IUI Course
As a medical professional, you can complete an IUI course to receive optimum knowledge in this field. The Intrauterine Insemination and Semenology Graduation Certification from Texila American University are designed to offer a complete understanding of this treatment.
With the help of this IUI course, you can achieve the following:
- Receive an advanced understanding of semiology, its techniques, such as sperm preparation, etc.
- Deep understanding of IUI lab setup and selection of patients.
- Advanced knowledge and skill development in technical processes, such as IUI analysis or semen processing.
- Hands-on experience in different semen processing techniques.
- Understanding of how male fertility impacts the procedure.
Why Online Certification from Texila?
Texila American University offers IUI course in 3 sections:
- Flexible learning opportunity. You can complete the IUI course at your pace.
- Internationally recognized faculty members conduct interactive seminars and webinars.
- Finally, MCQ assessment on the conclusion of the course.
Due to this structure, applicants can:
- Clear doubts in the live class
- Receive support from mentors
- Utilize resources for online education
Intrauterine insemination is a more straightforward method in comparison to IVF. But, it still requires a deep understanding of the male and female reproductive systems. It would help if you learned several techniques and processes that are a part of the IUI procedure.
