How to Get Started With IUI

Intrauterine Insemination (IUI), also known as artificial insemination, is a procedure that is used for the treatment of infertility. This procedure is simple and takes 15-20 minutes in a clinic or doctor's office; however, it is not effective for all forms of infertility. According to the Advanced Fertility Center of Chicago, the success rate for pregnancy via an IUI is 10-20 percent with each cycle for woman younger than 35. Typically, the success rate after three unsuccessful IUI attempts drastically decreases. Given a couple's circumstances, IUI may be a suitable, safe treatment for infertility.

Instructions

• 1

  Speak with your doctor and determine the cause of your infertility. The Mayo Clinic states that IUI is not effective if the causes for infertility are tubal damage, ovarian failure, severe male-factor infertility or the advanced stages of endometriosis. IUI is most effective in the following cases: mild male-factor infertility (low sperm motility, low sperm count, etc.), unexplained infertility, semen allergy, donor sperm requirement, cervical factor infertility (e.g., cervical mucus is too thick) and sexual dysfunction.

• 2

  Evaluate the risks associated with IUI. According to the Mayo Clinic, risks include infection and multiple pregnancies. Less than 1 percent of woman who choose IUI experience infection. Multiple pregnancies may result in lower birth weights and early labor.

• 3

  Discuss the possibility of using ovulation-inducing medications during IUI with your physician. Ovulation-inducing medications increase the success rate of pregnancy, though they do have potential side effects, including multiple births and compromised egg quality.

• 4

  Consider the cost and your health-insurance coverage. Depending on the doctor/fertility clinic, IUI treatments vary in cost from $300 to $800. Some health plans only cover diagnostic tests -- such as semen analysis -- and not the actual procedure.