Procedure guide · Reproductive medicine
IUI (intrauterine insemination) places prepared sperm directly into the womb around the time of ovulation. The NHS describes it as a short clinic procedure that is usually not painful. It is simpler than IVF but suits fewer situations. A fertility specialist decides whether it fits your case after testing both partners.
What is IUI?
The NHS explains that sperm are passed into the womb through a thin plastic tube placed through the cervix. A speculum holds the vagina open, much like a smear test. The sperm sample is washed and the most active sperm are selected first. Treatment is timed to ovulation, which is usually tracked with blood or urine tests.
Some cycles use medicine to stimulate ovulation. In that case the clinic monitors egg development with vaginal ultrasound. A hormone injection then triggers release of the egg at the right time.
Who may it suit?
The NHS says IUI may be used when donor sperm is needed or when vaginal sex is not possible. It also says IUI is not likely to help in some situations. These include blocked fallopian tubes, unexplained infertility, endometriosis and low or poor-quality sperm. IVF is usually recommended in those cases. Your specialist will decide which treatment suits you.
The procedure itself is described as safe, with infection very rare. When fertility medicines are used, the NHS lists added risks. They are multiple pregnancy, ectopic pregnancy and ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome.
Check the clinic
IUI is an assisted reproductive technology service. In India ART clinics must be registered under national law. Check the clinic on the National ART and Surrogacy Registry portal. Donor sperm must come through a registered bank.
Which reports does a specialist usually ask for?
The NHS notes that tests are needed before IUI. They include a check that the fallopian tubes are open and healthy. A partner providing sperm is tested too. Send any tube test report, ultrasound reports, hormone tests and your cycle history. Send the partner’s semen analysis. If you have had earlier fertility treatment, include the records.
How do you plan an IUI trip?
The key is timing. The clinic needs to know your cycle so you arrive before ovulation is expected. Monitoring scans may take place in India or at home, if the clinic agrees. The partner providing a fresh sample should be present on the day. After the procedure the clinic will tell you when to take a pregnancy test. That test can be done at home. Plan the length of stay with the clinic, as it depends on your cycle and any medicines.
What should you ask the clinic?
- Do my test results suggest IUI or IVF is more suitable?
- Will this be a natural cycle or a stimulated cycle?
- Which scans can be done at home before I travel?
- Is the clinic registered on the National ART and Surrogacy Registry?
- If donor sperm is needed, which registered bank supplies it?
- Who do I contact if I have pain or bloating after I fly home?
Questions people ask
Is IUI painful?
The NHS says IUI is usually not painful but can be uncomfortable. Some people have mild cramping afterwards. You can usually go home after a short rest. Tell the clinic if you have severe pain or bloating later.
Why might a specialist suggest IVF instead of IUI?
The NHS says IUI is unlikely to help with blocked tubes, endometriosis, unexplained infertility or low sperm quality. In those cases IVF is usually recommended. Your specialist will explain their reasons after reviewing both partners’ tests.
Can IUI be done with donor sperm?
Yes. The NHS lists the need for donor sperm as one of the main reasons for IUI. It says donor sperm must come through a licensed clinic and is frozen and screened first. In India ask the clinic which registered ART bank supplies it.
Sources
- NHS: Intrauterine insemination (IUI)
- NHS: Treatment for infertility
- National ART and Surrogacy Registry
General information, not medical or legal advice. Rules change: confirm with the official source. Your treating specialist decides on suitability, treatment and length of stay. How we write and check.