IUI (Intrauterine Insemination)

IUI, or intrauterine insemination, is a clinic procedure in which sperm is prepared and placed inside the uterus near ovulation. The timing may follow a natural cycle or medicines that help an egg mature. Fertilisation still happens inside the body; IUI does not create or select an embryo in the laboratory.

Your clinician reviews your cycle, checks whether ovulation is occurring, and may assess the fallopian tubes and sperm. Around ovulation, a semen sample is processed to concentrate moving sperm. A thin catheter then passes through the cervix into the uterus. The placement usually takes only a short time, followed by ordinary daily activity unless your clinic advises otherwise.

IUI is generally a brief procedure, but suitability depends on your medical history, the condition of your tubes, ovulation, and sperm findings. Ovulation medicines can increase the chance of releasing more than one egg, so monitoring matters. Cramping or light spotting can occur after placement. Contact your clinic promptly for severe pain, heavy bleeding, breathing trouble, or marked abdominal swelling.

Choices may include monitoring a natural cycle, adding ovulation induction, or moving to IVF when IUI is unlikely to help. A tubal dye test can check whether the tubes are open before treatment. The decision considers the cause of infertility, previous treatment, age, ovarian response, sperm results, and your preferences.

IUI is used for some cases of Female Infertility, Male Factor Infertility, and Unexplained Infertility. It requires at least one usable fallopian tube and an ovulation plan. A pregnancy test is arranged after the appropriate interval, and a positive result is followed with early pregnancy care.

A fertility specialist may discuss IUI when ovulation can be timed, at least one tube is open, or sperm delivery or movement is a concern. It may also be considered when investigations do not identify a clear cause. Blocked tubes, significant sperm problems, or situations needing laboratory fertilisation may point toward another approach.

The clinic confirms the cycle plan, monitors follicle development when needed, prepares the sperm sample, and performs the insemination. You may rest briefly afterwards. Take medicines only as prescribed and follow the clinic's instructions about testing and review.

Most people return to normal routines soon after the procedure. Mild cramping or spotting may settle. Keep the scheduled pregnancy test even if symptoms occur, because early pregnancy symptoms and medicine effects can feel similar.

Risks can include discomfort, spotting, infection, or a response to fertility medicine. Multiple pregnancy is a key consideration when ovulation is stimulated. Monitoring and an individualised dose help the team decide whether to continue that cycle.

Depending on the findings, alternatives include Ovulation Induction alone or IVF. A Tubal Dye Test may be used during assessment rather than as a fertility treatment.

Look for a fertility service that explains cycle monitoring, semen preparation, pregnancy testing, and what happens if the cycle is cancelled. Bring medication details and relevant test results to the consultation.