What to Expect in IUI Treatment?
Infertility is one of the most concerning problems of our times. Luckily, modern science has some good solutions for this problem. Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) procedure is among the topmost successful treatments of infertility. This is especially helpful for people with problems related to sperm, either sperm generation, sperm count, sperm motility, or any other problem. It is also one of the methods with an incredibly excellent success rate.
If you are a couple worried about not being able to have a child due to your or your spouse’s infertility issues, you do not need to worry anymore. You can try out IUI and have your dream of having a child come true. However, your first need to know about IUI in detail so that you can make yourself both physically and mentally ready for the process.
Here is a detailed overview of IUI:
What Is IUI?
IUI means Intrauterine Insemination, or artificial insemination. It is a process in which sperm into the body of a female through artificial means instead of sexual intercourse. In this process, fertilization occurs within the body of the female receiver.
IUI has two major steps:
Step 1: Stimulating the Growth of Eggs
In this step, the doctor prescribes some medicines to the female, which stimulates the growth of healthy eggs inside her body. What it basically does is that it increases the fertility of the females. With the help of these medications, the female becomes abler to conceive children.
Step 2: Introduction of Sperm into the Uterine Cavity
In this step, which is the major one, sperm is artificially placed inside the female’s uterine cavity with the help of a catheter, which enables it to reach the uterus directly without getting killed in the way, thereby making its union and fertilization with the egg more feasible and easier.
Before this process is done, the sperm is thoroughly washed, a process in which the sperm is separated from the seminal fluid. It’s because some of the substances in the seminal fluid can irritate the uterus and lead to complications such as cramping and pain. However, the process itself is utterly painless and takes only a few minutes to complete.
First 20 Days: Day By Day Report Of IUI Treatment
Day | Details |
Day 1 | Consultation Financial Counselign Blood Test Semen Analysis |
Day 2 | IUI Procedure |
Day 3 | Some women may experience spotting. |
Day 6 | Implantation |
Day 7-8 | Implantation bleeding |
Day 10-14 | Beta hCG test |
Day 15 | Fertilization |
Day 16 | The egg become inpenetrable |
Day 17 | The creation of a cell containing 46 and subsequent division into two-celled body. |
Day 18 | Embryo formation at 16-cell stage |
Day 19 | The embryo becomes a blastocyst |
Day 20 | The blastocyst starts embedding in the uterus |
Side effects of IUI
While IUI is an incredibly helpful and beneficial procedure, it does come with some side effects. These would most likely be mild, and most people don’t even report them. However, you need to know about these side effects in order to be mentally ready for the process. Here are some of the common side effects of IUI:
- Swollen and painful ovaries
- ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS)
- Pelvic discomfort
- Breast tenderness
- Bloating
- Ovarian cysts
- Swelling around the injection site
- Rash around the injection site
How to Do IUI at Home?
While it would be better to consult a competent doctor, you can still do IUI at home yourself. If you want to do it on your own, you would need to order sperm from a sperm bank, such as Cyros, along with the necessary equipment for insemination. Please ensure that you choose your sperm bank and sperm donor carefully.
Keys to Successful IUI:
Here are some tips you should follow in order to ensure the success of your IUI procedure:
- Try out hormone stimulation
- Make sure the sperm used in the procedure is thoroughly washed and not used more than an hour after the washing
- Eat healthy because it would make your sperm healthy. Eating healthy is equally recommended for the female donor because it would increase her chances of successful fertilization.
Is IUI Procedure Painful?
No, IUI treatment is not painful at all. It involves the use of a catheter that’s inserted into the vagina in a very smooth and relaxed manner. The catheter itself is designed such that it causes no pain.
Foods that Help with IUI
Eat the following food to increase your chances of successful IUI. These foods are known to increase fertility.
- Sunflower Seeds
- Citrus Fruits
- Mature Cheeses
- Full-Fat Dairy
- Liver
- Cooked Tomatoes
- Beans and Lentils
- Asparagus
- Oysters
- Pomegranate
- Egg Yolks
- How to Eat It
- Pineapple
- Wild-Caught Salmon
- Cinnamon
IUI Success Symptoms
Following are some of the major symptoms that show that your IUI treatment has probably been successful and that you are most likely pregnant:
- Bleeding within two weeks of the IUI treatment, known as implantation bleeding
- Menstrual delay
- Breast tenderness
- Fatigue
- Nausea
- Food cravings & aversions
When to Test After IUI?
Doctors usually suggest taking an hCG test after at least 14 days of your trigger shot. However, you should go for a blood test instead of home pregnancy tests because they are more accurate. Consult your fertility specialist if you receive negative results consistently for three weeks.
- The Do’s and Don’ts of IUI
- Don’t use unwashed sperm
- Don’t go for a sperm donor without knowing about the donor
- Take your folic acid during and after your IUI treatment
- Avoid strenuous exercise
- Avoid getting anxious for results
What to do after IUI?
- Start mild exercising
- Eat healthily
- Stay in touch with your fertility specialist
- Sleep well
- Wait for at least two weeks for the results
After IUI Precautions
- Avoid sex within 48 hours of the IUI procedure
- Avoid processed food
- Lay flat for 15 to 30 minutes after the process
- Avoid smoking
- Avoid climbing up and down stairs too much
- Stay away from radiation
Reference:
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/intrauterine-insemination/about/pac-20384722
- https://www.parents.com/getting-pregnant/infertility/treatments/what-to-expect-when-you-have-your-first-iui/
- https://rmanetwork.com/blog/iui-treatment-infertility-step-step-guide/
- https://rmanetwork.com/treating-infertility/intrauterine-insemination-iui/
- https://www.webmd.com/infertility-and-reproduction/guide/artificial-insemination
- https://www.apollofertility.com/blog/iui/iui-treatment-what-to-expect/