There are several fertility treatment options available out there for those having issues starting a family on their own. One of the more simple fertility treatments we offer at HRC Fertility is IUI or Intrauterine Insemination.

The IUI procedure itself involves transferring semen that has been washed and concentrated directly into the uterus via a thin catheter. IUI may be done with or without fertility drugs. Because it’s less invasive than the IVF process, IUI is typically looked at as a first option for those with fertility issues. IUI is also usually less expensive than IVF.

“You may be surprised but for humans only a small percentage of the sperm reaches the egg,” Dr. Mickey Coffler of HRC Fertility Oceanside said in a recent video segment on IUI.

“When the sperm count is low, it may be insufficient to reach the egg. With intrauterine insemination or IUI, all the good quality sperm in the ejaculate is concentrated and placed directly into a woman’s uterus. This increases the number of sperm that can reach the egg.”

He continued, “In my office, the sperm is placed through a process of density gradient centrifugation, as it allows the recovery of the best sperm. Following this process, the specimen is examined to determine how many moving sperm cells are available for insemination.”

“Best pregnancy rates are when counts, greater than 10 million moving sperm cells with counts less than three to 5 million pregnancy rates will be very low.” In these cases, in vitro fertilization or IVF with intracytoplasmic sperm injection is a much better option.

So, what are the secrets to maximize IUI success?

“First, the IUI has to be optimally timed around a woman’s ovulation. Second, the total moving sperm cells should ideally be above 10 million. This depends, of course, on the severity of the sperm abnormality, but also on the lab technician, and the technique used to recover the sperm,” Dr. Coffler added.

Check out Dr. Coffler’s entire video on the secrets of IUI, below. You can also read more about IUI at HRC, here.

If you’d like a consultation with Dr. Coffler, please call 866-HRC-4IVF or schedule online.