Artificial insemination, also referred to as Intra-Uterine Insemination (IUI) is used to treat infertility. According to WebMD, women trying to conceive may find success with artificial insemination, if their fertility issues are as a result of a partner with low sperm count, poor sperm motility, endometriosis, women with “unreceptive cervical mucus,” and patients facing unexplained infertility.

The procedure, as explained by The Mayo Clinic website:

“takes about 15 to 20 minutes and is usually done in a doctor’s office or clinic. Sperm that have been “washed” and concentrated are placed directly in your uterus on the day after your ovary releases one or more eggs to be fertilized. The hoped-for outcome of intrauterine insemination is for the sperm to swim into the fallopian tubes and fertilize a waiting egg, resulting in a normal pregnancy. Depending on the reasons for infertility, intrauterine insemination can be coordinated with your normal cycle or done in conjunction with fertility medications.”

Not all patients will benefit from artificial insemination, however. WebMD explains that success rates may be lower in response to the following factors:

• Older age of the woman
• Poor egg quality
• Poor sperm quality
• Severe endometriosis
• Severe damage to the fallopian tubes
• Blockage of fallopian tubes

Source: https://www.webmd.com/infertility-and-reproduction/guide/artificial-insemination

In his March 3, 2011 article, “What is Artificial Insemination? Why is Artificial Insemination Used?,” Mike Paddock, of Medical News Today, states that while the pregnancy rate for women trying to conceive who have undergone artificial insemination is between 15% and 20%, if pregnancy is not successfully achieved after six cycles, it may be time for those patients to consider in-vitro fertilization.

While there are few risks involved with artificial insemination, making it a popular option among fertility patients, women trying to conceive who have not found success with artificial insemination may want to discuss IVF success rates among patients of their age and circumstance with their reproductive endocrinologist, to determine if In-Vitro Fertilization is a logical next step for them.

To learn more about artificial insemination, and whether it may be the right next step for you, please contact Fertility Solutions Sunshine Coast and Bundaberg today.