My Journey with Cushing’s disease
At 30 years old, I was fit, healthy and naturally a size 8–10. I knew my body well, which is why, when it started to
Alexandra tried to remind herself not to hold her breath as she waited to hear her doctor’s voice come through the phone. The results of the blood test she had taken were in, and she was about to find out if her life was going to change or if she would need more treatment. Her doctor wasted no time when she came on the line, “Alexandra, it’s positive, you are pregnant!”
As science progresses and technology advances, more options become available to help those whose journey to parenthood may be more complex than others. This is good news as everyone who wishes to become a parent should have the opportunity if at all possible. Today I want to explore one of those options: Intrauterine Insemination (IUI).
IUI treatment is a procedure where sperm is injected directly into the uterus. This shortens the distance the sperm needs to travel to fertilize an egg.
“Intrauterine insemination (IUI) is an assisted conception technique that involves the deposition of a processed semen sample in the upper uterine cavity, overcoming natural barriers to sperm ascent in the female reproductive tract. It is a cost-effective, noninvasive first-line therapy for selected patients with functionally normal tubes, and infertility due to a cervical factor, anovulation, moderate male factor, unexplained factors, immunological factor, and ejaculatory disorders with clinical pregnancy rates per cycle ranging from 10 to 20%.
“It, however, has limited use in patients with endometriosis, severe male factor infertility, tubal factor infertility, and advanced maternal age ≥ 35 years. IUI may be performed with or without ovarian stimulation. Controlled ovarian stimulation, particularly with low-dose gonadotropins, with IUI offers significant benefit in terms of pregnancy outcomes compared with natural cycle or timed intercourse, while reducing associated COH complications such as multiple pregnancies and ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome.” (Allahbadia 2017)
Artificial insemination in humans doesn’t always have as high of success as other treatment options. If it is determined that IUI is right for you, chances are, it will be more successful than other methods that aren’t.
A person’s age, health, financial state, and number of cycles of IUI that have previously been done, all play a role. Sometimes, these things can interfere with a successful pregnancy, even if IUI is the best chance.
A study called, Success Rate of Inseminations Dependent on Maternal Age? An Analysis of 4246 Insemination Cycles concluded: “Intrauterine insemination can be a promising therapy in selected patients. Pregnancy rates for patients aged 40 years remained stable even after more than three cycles, up until six cycles.
“For the first three insemination cycles, the success rates for women aged 40 and 41 did not differ from those of women under 40. However, no more than three insemination cycles should be attempted in these women.
“The overall pregnancy rates after insemination were 5–15 % and thus clearly lower than those obtained with more invasive reproductive methods such as IVF or ICSI, as demonstrated by data from the German IVF Registry. Patients seeking to become pregnant should be given detailed information about this point. It could play an important role in the choice of method by older couples.”
Most pregnancies that occur after intrauterine inseminations happen within the first three cycles. This means that, depending on your circumstances, you may fall pregnant faster, pay less money, and endure less invasive procedures overall than others who use other methods. It is important to note that just because the success rates are not as high on paper, doesn’t mean that it isn’t a valid choice.
A successful IUI requires certain criteria for each patient and partner/donor. Only you and your medical professional team can say for sure if this route is the best one for you.
Understanding the IUI process is a crucial first step in determining if it is right for you. Individuals who want to use IUI treatment must consider their health, financial needs, age, and willingness to undergo the required testing and procedures.
Each person involved in the IUI process will go through tests to ensure the best chance at a healthy pregnancy. I am breaking these down by donor (could be partner), and patient (the person who would be carrying the IUI pregnancy.
The person who will be providing or donating the sperm for the pregnancy will be tested for infectious diseases. These diseases usually include blood tests for:
The sperm is also tested for motility as well as size and shape. These tests give the safest and best chance at achieving fertilization.
When cleared, the sample of semen will be submitted. The live sperm from the sample will then be separated from the dead sperm and seminal fluid.
Once the sperm is ready it is injected into the uterus through a thin tube called a catheter passed through the cervix.
The person who is undergoing the insemination will also be tested for infectious diseases. They may also be given medication to help stimulate egg production and ovulation.
You may be wondering if IUI is painful. Compared to other, more invasive procedures, IUI is relatively painless for the patient. There may be a slight burning sensation as the catheter is inserted, light cramping, and the general discomfort usually experienced during a smear test or other minimally invasive tests.
That being said, each person and each physician is different. The skill and instruments used by the doctor could cause a more elevated level of discomfort in some more than others.
Some may experience no pain for the actual IUI treatment, but later have some cramping or bleeding. One good thing is that it is a simple, quick procedure and any discomfort is short-lived.
The procedure itself doesn’t take more than a few minutes. The testing before can take a few days to a few weeks to get results.
After insemination, a positive pregnancy test can be possible around 14 days. The two week wait is real.
The IUI cost can be a major contributing factor. What IUI treatment costs can vary by where you live, how many cycles you go through, and what insurance or program coverage is available based on your unique circumstances.
One study, Intrauterine Insemination: A Systematic Review on Determinants of Success, found that “one cycle of in vitro fertilization (IVF) was more expensive than four cycles of COH/IUI. One study found no difference in the cost per delivery between IUI and COH/IUI, and found that both procedures were less expensive than assisted reproductive technologies (IVF, gamete-intra-fallopian transfer, zygote-intrafallopian transfer).
“Two RCTs concluded that IUI and COH/IUI were more cost-effective than IVF. One RCT reported mean pregnancy costs of US$38,012 for IVF and US$16,725 for standard infertility treatment; the other reported that the mean cost per pregnancy resulting in at least one live birth was US$5,108 for COH/IUI and US$13,132 for IVF. Neither of these studies considered the costs of antenatal care.”
According to the NHS, the cost of IUI treatment for pregnancy can cost around £1,000 if paid privately. It is also possible to have your cost covered if you meet certain criteria:
If it is a possibility, going the IUI fertility route could be a more cost effective method of becoming a parent.
Googling “IUI near me” can provide a list of possible facilities and doctors that offer IUI fertility treatments. The place you choose can let you know your IUI procedure cost, what is involved, how to find a donor if necessary, and the tests required. Make sure to read comments and testimonials of others who have been there.
Another way to find a great place for inseminations is to reach out to others you know personally who have been through it. They can recommend places, tips for what to look for, and let you know if their experience was positive or negative.
Some people, depending on their financial situation, location, and relationship may choose to travel to receive the best treatment for them. It is always important to explore all your options, and make the decision that is right for you.
When deciding whether or not to have IUI there are many factors to consider. Only you and your doctor can decide if it is right for you. Fertility treatments can be filled with difficulty, take a toll on mental health, and cost a lot of money. They can also provide hope, healing, and the chance to hold a beautiful baby in your arms who will only ever know the love you have to give.
Allahbadia G. N. (2017). Intrauterine Insemination: Fundamentals Revisited. Journal of obstetrics and gynaecology of India, 67(6), 385–392. doi.org/10.1007/s13224-017-1060-x
Duran, H. E., Morshedi, M., Kruger, T., & Oehninger, S. (2002). Intrauterine insemination: a systematic review on determinants of success. Human reproduction update, 8(4), 373–384. doi.org/10.1093/humupd/8.4.373
Schorsch, M., Gomez, R., Hahn, T., Hoelscher-Obermaier, J., Seufert, R., & Skala, C. (2013). Success Rate of Inseminations Dependent on Maternal Age? An Analysis of 4246 Insemination Cycles. Geburtshilfe und Frauenheilkunde, 73(8), 808–811. doi.org/10.1055/s-0033-1350615
We hope you enjoyed this article. To help us to create more content like this, please consider visiting our Shop.
At 30 years old, I was fit, healthy and naturally a size 8–10. I knew my body well, which is why, when it started to
If you’ve had more than one loss, you may already have had chromosome testing, a karyotype or carrier screening, and still no answer. Here is
I am 36 years old, and I have spent a large part of my life trying to understand my own body and trying to become
