Intra-Uterine Insemination (IUI) is a versatile treatment for addressing fertility issues such as borderline sperm quantity or quality, retrograde ejaculation, and if the couple finds it difficult to have intercourse regularly. It also provides a solution for single women wanting fertility treatment and same-sex female couples where donor sperm is required.
Intra-Uterine Insemination (IUI) Treatment Using Partner’s Sperm
Fees are an estimate only and may be more depending on your situation
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Intra-Uterine Insemination (IUI) Treatment Using Partner’s Sperm
How is IUI Performed?
In IUI treatment, sperm is placed directly into the uterus (“endometrial cavity”) using a thin catheter inserted through the cervix. The procedure is quick, painless, and performed using a vaginal speculum to see the cervix. Some may experience mild discomfort from the speculum or mild cramps post-insertion.
IUI is a regulated activity, conducted at Acorn Fertility (HFEA License number 0391).
Advantages of IUI
By delivering selected sperm directly to the uterus, IUI can address several fertility challenges, including:
Inability to have planned intercourse
Mild erectile dysfunction
Retrograde ejaculation
Borderline low sperm count or quality
IUI with Partner’s Sperm
For IUI using partner’s sperm, a sample is produced at the clinic through masturbation. The sample is then checked, “washed” (treated in the lab to concentrate only the motile and healthy sperm and removing the weak sperm), to select the healthiest sperm in the highest concentration. This improves the quality of sperm in cases of poor motility or other issues.
IUI Using Donor Sperm
IUI using donor sperm is ideal for couples with untreatable azoospermia, lesbian couples, or single women wanting to conceive. Samples are obtained from registered, reputable sperm banks in the UK or overseas, following HFEA guidelines. We offer counselling to help you navigate the emotional and legal considerations for you and your future child.
This procedure is described in more details elsewhere.
The IUI Journey (using partner sperm)
The IUI process is straightforward and involves the following steps:
- Your first consultation allows us to explain you treatment steps, costs, investigations, success rates, and whether to use a stimulated or natural cycle.
- Arrange for professional counselling, if required.
- Complete all necessary HFEA consent forms.
- Undergo blood tests for infection screening (HIV, Hep B, Hep C, etc.) and consider additional tests (such as Prolactin, Full Blood Count etc). These tests need to be undertaken within 3 months of starting the actual IUI.
- Start your treatment cycle (Medications to start on the 3rd day of your period)
At Acorn Fertility, consultations and scans can be arranged at our peripheral clinics, but IUI is performed at our primary HFEA licensed centre (HFEA No 0391) in Colliers Wood, London.
IUI Success Rates
IUI success rates vary with age and your ovarian reserve and the quality of sperm. It can range from 5% to 15% per cycle, depending on the indications for the treatment, age of the woman and the other associated fertility issues she may have.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)
Q1. What is IUI with partner's sperm? When is it most useful?
Ans: IUI with partner’s sperm is a fertility treatment where sperm is collected from the male partner, processed in a lab to concentrate the most motile sperm, and then directly inserted into the woman’s uterus during ovulation.
IUI with partner’s sperm is typically recommended for couples who can’t have sex “on command” i.e. during the time of predicted ovulation.
It is also useful for couples where intercourse may be difficult due to physical or psychological reason. Sometimes there can be erectile dysfunction or retrograde ejaculation and sometimes when the male partner may be regularly away during ovulation period (commonly job related).
Sometimes mild male factor infertility can be treated by IUI as well, though, ovulation induction can be simpler and far cheaper than IUI.
2. What is the success rate of IUI with partner's sperm?
Ans: Success rates vary depending on factors like the woman’s age, sperm quality, and the underlying fertility issue.
It is more likely to succeed when the problem is with inability to have sex than when the problem is “unexplained” or “mild male factor” where the couple have been having sex regularly. The success is about 5%-10% per cycle (more or less depending on various other factors mentioned earlier)
Q3. What does the IUI process with partner's sperm involve?
Ans: The process begins with monitoring the woman’s ovulation cycle through ultrasound and sometimes blood tests. On the day of ovulation, the male partner provides a sperm sample, which is then processed to select the best sperm. The processed sperm is inserted into the uterus using a thin catheter. The procedure is quick, relatively painless, and typically takes a few minutes.
Q4.Are there any risks or side effects associated with IUI using partner's sperm?
Ans: IUI is generally safe with minimal risks. The most common side effects include mild cramping or spotting after the procedure. There is also a small risk of infection, but that’s really low. If fertility medications are used, there is a risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) but that too is quite low if you compare it with OHSS in IVF treatments.
Multiple pregnancies (twins, triplets, etc.) is probably the most significant risk and we can avoid that by either not using ovulation stimulating medicines or using them at a very low dose and cancelling the cycle f the response is unexpectedly more than expected.
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Why Choose Acorn Fertility
Experienced doctors who lead your treatment
Dr Alka and Dr Maha have both been in the speciality of fertility since the mid 1990s. They have worked with leading fertility clinics in London. run their own clinic overseas as well a satellite centre in London for the last 10 years. They have no other committments, so they are available for every patient, from ovulation inductions to IVF and ICSI.
Cutting edge treatments in a safe environment
Acorn Fertility will provide the best quality treatment, implementing the most up to date concepts blended with years of experience. Our centre is HFEA licensed and a has CD license as well. The premises also have CQC registration – which means we are inspected by 3 regulatory agencies regularly. Our clinic has it’s own generator and UPS to support the lab in case of an electrical
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